Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNFPA is committed to achieving gender balance and fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce.

The Position:

The Supply Chain Specialist works under the supervision of the Deputy Representative and in close collaboration with the International Operations Manager, Humanitarian Coordinator, Reproductive Health Programme Specialist as well as the wider programme and Operations team in the Country Office. S/he will engage with counterparts from other UN agencies and  few relevant donors to strengthen UNFPA’s positioning in the national supply chain system and collaborate with partners at the national level and counterparts in divisions across UNFPA, to strengthen UNFPA Afghanistan’s Reproductive Health and Protection supply chain, build national capacity, and coordinate comprehensive  support, including in humanitarian  contexts. 

The position reports directly to the Deputy Representative and provides supervision and oversight to staff in the Supply Chain Unit.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results. 

Job Purpose:

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Representative, the Supply Chain Specialist leads the end-to-end management and strengthening of UNFPA Afghanistan’s Integrated Reproductive Health (RH) and Protection Supply Chain to ensure the timely, efficient, and accountable availability of essential RH commodities in both development and humanitarian contexts. The incumbent provides strategic, management  and technical oversight of supply planning, forecasting, pipeline management, inventory and warehouse management, distribution and last-mile delivery, quality assurance, and compliance,  data management  and reporting, team supervision, coordination, stakeholder engagement, and risk mitigation, while building national capacity and ensuring compliance with UNFPA policies and global supply chain standards.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

End-to-End Supply Chain Management and Coordination

• Lead and oversee the end-to-end management of the Integrated Reproductive Health (RH)  and Protection Supply Chain to ensure uninterrupted availability, accessibility, quality, and cost-effectiveness of RH commodities in both development and humanitarian contexts.
• Lead the development, implementation, and periodic review of integrated RH and Protection supply chain strategies and annual supply plans, aligned with programme priorities and national health strategies.
• Oversee forecasting and quantification processes for RH and Protection supplies and commodities, ensuring use of evidence-based methodologies, consumption data, and scenario planning to mitigate stock-out, oversupply and expiry  risks.
• In collaboration with Programme and Operations teams contribute to the procurement planning, managed by the Procurement Unit, to ensure timely ordering, shipment tracking, customs clearance, warehousing, and last-mile distribution.
• Establish and maintain supply chain performance monitoring mechanisms, including key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and pipeline analysis tools to proactively identify and address bottlenecks.
• Conduct regular pipeline risk assessments to anticipate potential pipeline breaks and develop mitigation strategies to strengthen supply chain resilience, including contingency planning for humanitarian emergencies and access constraints.
• Strengthen and support the effective use of Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS), shipment tracking systems, and UNFPA corporate tools (including Quantum and UNFPA Supplies systems), ensuring accurate and timely data entry and reporting.
• Ensure effective inventory management practices, including stock monitoring, reconciliation, quality assurance, expiry tracking, redistribution planning, and accountability of RH commodities.
• Provide technical leadership to national counterparts and Implementing Partners in establishing standardized supply chain procedures, transportation plans, warehousing standards, and distribution protocols.
• Analyze supply chain data (consumption, stock levels, service statistics) to inform evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement of supply planning and distribution strategies.
• Coordinate closely with the UNFPA Regional Office, HQ Supply Chain Management Unit, and humanitarian  supply chain stakeholders to ensure compliance with corporate policies and alignment with global best practices.
• Ensure adherence to UNFPA Programme Supplies policies, internal control mechanisms, audit requirements, and risk management standards across all supply chain operations.
• As appropriate, participate in joint field assessments or undertake UNFPA-specific field visits/assessment missions to gain a better understanding of existing supply gaps and needs.
• Support the programme team in the development of distribution plans based on response plan priorities and supply plan objectives.

Advocacy and Partnership 

• Support the Country Office in advocacy efforts with other UN agencies, including partners, and assist SMT in strongly positioning UNFPA leadership in the UN80 SCM integration efforts at the Country Office. 
• Facilitate adoption of an integrated approach to Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS), that takes as its foundation the reliable and consistent availability of planned RH and protection related  supplies, including in both Basic Human Needs (BHN) and  humanitarian emergencies. 
• Analyze and interpret the political, social, and economic environment relevant to UNFPA's Supply Chain Management for RHCS and Protection program and identify opportunities for UNFPA assistance, advocacy, and policy dialogue.
• Prepare documents including but not limited to briefing materials on supply chain management policy dialogues at national and subnational levels and with relevant external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other UN Agencies and development partners to promote and provide integrated technical support for Supply Chain Management within the country and to carry out operations research and implement findings.
• Support country office advocacy efforts with government and development partners for increased and sustained financing for FP/RH/GBV Commodities and supplies. 

Capacity Development

• Ensure in close collaboration with RHCS and Protection  experts to enhance national capacity to develop and maintain reproductive health and protection supplies chain systems. 
• Identify, develop and/or adapt training materials and manuals in the substantive area and ensure their availability for capacity development to national counterparts and implementing partners, and support their implementation. 
• Coach, monitor expert consultants, and facilitate working groups and task teams in supply chain management. 
• Draft and adapt training materials and manuals in the substantive area and support their implementation for capacity development. 
• Provide support to utilize and adhere to UNFPA systems for last mile assurance and shipment tracker for UNFPA Supplies including humanitarian prepositioned supplies.
• Coach and build the capacity of staff of Implementing Partners to ensure compliance with the UNFPA Program Supplies Policy, as well as on management of pre-positioned supplies and commodities.
• Monitor partner supply chain practices, identify capacity gaps in stock management and reporting, last mile practices, and recommend targeted improvements.

Evidence and Knowledge development and Dissemination 

• Monitor and analyze RH supply chain performance, including preparation of substantive programmatic and financial reports on RH commodities and related expenditures.
• Facilitate consolidation, documentation, and dissemination of good practices, lessons learned and success stories on SCM, Facilitate technical support to the implementation of various surveys/data collection mechanisms on FP/RHCs initiated by the office and programmes.
• Undertake active environmental scanning to identify gaps and opportunities for timely UNFPA interventions regarding commodity stocks and logistic information systems for UNFPA programme supplies. 
• Ensure timely and quality reporting of UNFPA supplies including  LMA reporting requirements for Afghanistan CO. 
• Support the development and/or roll out of systems/standard protocols through which partners can operate, manage, and forecast their RH commodity needs (e.g.  transportation, warehousing, distribution channels, contingency plans). 
• Participate in monitoring missions, technical reviews, and coordination meetings, ensuring appropriate substantive and administrative follow-up actions.

Perform any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership. 

Qualifications and Experience 

Education:  

• Advanced university degree in supply chain or logistics management, or any related field is required. 
• Degree in public health, medicine or pharmacy would be an asset.
• Professional certification in areas such as medical logistics or humanitarian logistics is highly desirable.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 5 years of professional work experience in medical/humanitarian supply chain management or logistics. 
• Experience in supply chain management: forecasting, warehousing, distribution, transportation and logistics information systems as well as managing supply chain management or logistics staff or warehouses teams. 
• Significant direct experience in public procurement and supply chain management experience related to the Health and Humanitarian Sector (pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical medical supplies), including experience with public health systems in developing countries.
• Familiarity with UN development programmes and working procedures would be an asset. 
• Field experience in humanitarian or emergency context would be a plus. 

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing cultural diversity
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results based programmes
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for resource mobilization

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus
• Engaging internal/external partners and stakeholders
• Leading, developing and empowering people/ creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.