Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

H (no hardship)

Family

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Head of Emergency Supply Unit

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

In view of the increased emergency preparedness and response needs, for both refugee and IDP situations, in the context of complex humanitarian operations where UNHCR’s leadership and coordination role is increasingly important, UNHCR’s emergency capabilities have been adjusted and reinforced in keeping with today’s emergency environments. The Community-Based Protection approach, the new Refugee Coordination Model, and UNHCR's commitments under the IASC Transformative Agenda and L2/L3 emergency protocols underpin the Organization’s emergency coordination, preparedness and response.

To keep abreast with these new challenges, the Supply Management Service (SMS) under the Division of Emergency and Programme Support (DEPS) reviewed its emergency response capacities and enhanced its emergency unit with a view to contribute to building a more robust and predictable emergency response and organizational preparedness based on effective leadership and coordination at senior level.

The incumbent will be based in Budapest, the unit will form part of one of the Emergency Surge Teams based and coordinated from the Emergency Services in DEPS Geneva. The members in the Emergency Surge Teams are on permanent standby for emergency deployment. The Head of the Emergency Supply Unit will be deployed with the team, or individually, to prepare and respond to refugee and/or IDP emergencies and provide coordination and operational support to the UNHCR Representative in the country or region, who will continue to manage the relations with the host government and oversee the operation. When not deployed the incumbent will support the coordination of emergency supply response being provided by Supply Management Service.

The incumbent will work closely with the Regional Bureaux, the Country Operations, and the other Divisions and familiarise him/herself with the operations in their region through field missions and will carry out capacity building and emergency simulation activities in the region and support emergency supply training activities, as required. In an IDP operation where the cluster approach is activated, the incumbent may assist in the coordination of the supply cluster at national/regional level.

While reporting directly to the to the Chief of Logistics and Emergency Supply Section of SMS, the incumbent will retain dotted reporting lines to the Emergency Services in DEPS Geneva. When deployed on an emergency, the incumbent will receive specific ToRs for the mission, including reporting lines during the deployment.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Ensure that UNHCR operations have effective and efficient supply chain arrangements in place to support emergency preparedness and response from the onset of an emergency.
• Develop and implement results-based supply chain strategies and plans for immediate, medium-term and protracted emergency interventions, in line with operational priorities and country operation plans.
• Provide technical guidance to operations and Bureaux on emergency supply preparedness, contingency planning, supply structures, workforce requirements and operational readiness.
• Coordinate and support emergency supply chain activities, including planning, sourcing, procurement, transport, shipping, customs clearance, warehousing, asset management and fleet management.
• Ensure effective coordination with SMS on the use of Global Stocks and other supply mechanisms in support of emergency operations, including warehouse/shipping network (and other modalities if/when applicable).
• Maintain an up-to-date overview of regional and country-level supply chain capacity, including partners’ capacity, to ensure readiness for emergency response.
• Support the design and implementation of sourcing strategies to ensure timely, cost-effective and quality supply of goods and services.
• Identify and address operational supply bottlenecks by applying appropriate management tools, innovative solutions and risk-informed decision-making.
• Promote complementarity and coordination with UN agencies, partners, government counterparts and other relevant actors on supply and logistics activities.
• Contribute to the interoperability efforts in the wake of UN80 initiatives in the area of Supply Chain and Emergency.
• Identify and develop potential partnerships with philanthropic, private and public donors, including actors specialized in logistics, transport and third-party logistics, to reinforce preparedness and emergency response capacity.
• Coordinate with PSP on donor visibility, reporting requirements and alignment between fundraising opportunities and operational supply priorities.
• Ensure timely, accurate and analytical reporting on emergency supply interventions, including lessons learned, trends and recommendations for future preparedness and response.
• Build the supply capacity of operations, partners and relevant national/local stakeholders through guidance, training and preparedness support.
• Undertake emergency preparedness, assessment and support missions, and be ready for deployment within 72 hours in the event of an emergency.

• Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P4 - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Economics, , Business Administration; Logistics;

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

HCR Supply Chain Lrng Prog; HCR Management Lrng Prg;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Relevant professional supply-chain experience at professional level in refugee, internal displacement, in humanitarian emergencies or complex operation(s) at management level, field assignments in the international capacity. Capacity building and training delivery experience. Practical understanding and knowledge of internal UNHCR management systems and procedures. Good understanding of UNHCR’s global strategies and priorities, in particular protection related.

Desirable

Relevant training and proven skills in emergency management; the Supply Chain Learning Programme (SCLP), UNHCR Management Learning Programme or specific training relevant to function. UNHCR learning programmes including Workshop on Emergency Management, Emergency Leadership Training Programme, and the Security Management Learning Programme. Experience developing training materials. Knowledge and working experience of ERP applications.

Functional Skills

TR-Training and Capacity Building of Governments and/or national programs

TR-Training - Virtual and face to face

PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation

FO-Complex field emergency operations

MG-Field Operations Management

PR-Humanitarian Relief

TR-Training Design and Material Preparation

CO-Drafting and Documentation

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Leadership

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Planning and Organizing

Political Awareness

Stakeholder Management

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Essential attributes:
The ideal candidate will have:
• Extensive operational supply chain management experience in complex emergency or protracted contexts, involving refugees and/or IDPs, with a focus on logistics, warehousing, shipping/freight forwarding, including air shipment and port operations, and inventory management.
• Experience across field and HQ/Regional Bureau levels, with demonstrated ability to translate operational needs into global policies, SOPs, tools and business processes, and build capacity/ deliver training in supply chain functions (logistics, warehousing, shipping) to both supply and non supply colleagues
• Proven ability to collaborate and engage across stakeholders, including Regional Bureaux, country operations, inter-agency mechanisms, UN partners, donors, and private sector actors, in emergency preparedness and response contexts.
• Experience developing funding proposals and supporting fundraising efforts, including gift-in-kind or financial contributions; with proven strong written and verbal impactful communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated experience using supply chain systems, KPIs, business processes and supply management tools to support decision-making and operational performance.

Desirable attributes
The following would be considered an advantage:
• Experience with cash-based interventions and their implications for supply chain planning and delivery.
• Familiarity with cloud-based ERP systems.
• Certification in UN/UNHCR supply chain management, humanitarian logistics, public procurement, or another relevant area.
• Completion of the UNHCR Management Learning Programme, or a similar management programme.
• Knowledge of a second UN language.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The position is located in Budapest, within the Division of Emergency, and programme Support (DEPS), Supply Management Service (SMS); Logistics and Emergency Supply Section (LESS), and leads the Emergency Supply Preparedness Unit (ESPU). The position plays a key role in strengthening UNHCR’s emergency supply preparedness and response capacity at global level, with a particular focus on supply preparedness, procurement, logistics, shipping, warehousing, inventory management and supply chain coordination in emergency contexts.

The position may require frequent deployment to emergency operations. During deployments, the incumbent will provide technical support and leadership to supply chain activities from the onset of an emergency, including the review and implementation of emergency supply plans, sourcing and procurement strategies, dispatch and delivery arrangements, warehousing, inventory management, fleet-related support, and the establishment or reinforcement of supply chain systems. The incumbent will work to ensure the timely, cost-effective and quality delivery of goods and services to persons forced to flee.

When not deployed, the incumbent will provide technical guidance and support to Regional Bureaux and Country Operations, while coordinating the development and review of emergency supply preparedness tools, Standard Operating Procedures, operational guidance, and administrative instructions. The incumbent will also contribute to the analysis of emergency supply requirements, support operational readiness, and play a critical role in the coordination with Country and Regional Supply Teams involved in “L” emergencies and/or contingency planning for high-risk situations.

The incumbent will be expected to work closely with other units within DEPS, as well as with Regional Bureaux, Country Operations and relevant Headquarters entities. The position will also require coordination with a wide range of external stakeholders, including donors, UN agencies, NGOs, government counterparts, commercial contractors, private-sector logistics actors and other humanitarian partners. The incumbent may be required to represent UNHCR in relevant conferences, workshops, Inter-agency fora and other events related to emergency supply preparedness and response.

A key aspect of the role will be to promote efficient, coordinated and sustainable supply chain responses. This includes reinforcing interoperability with humanitarian partners, identifying opportunities for resource optimization particularly with private sectors, preparing proposals, supporting sustainable supply chain practices, and contributing to engagement with the global logistics and shipping sectors, including in relation to fundraising, partnerships and in-kind contributions.

The incumbent will support emergency responses by ensuring that supply considerations are integrated into the broader operational response, including in refugee and IDP contexts. This may include analyzing local and regional supply options, assessing procurement and logistics capacities, identifying appropriate delivery mechanisms, reviewing warehousing and distribution arrangements, and considering, where relevant, the supply chain implications of cash-based interventions and alternatives or complementary options to camp-based responses.

The position requires ability and willingness to work under pressure and in complex operating environments. Working overtime and during weekends may occasionally be required, particularly during emergency deployments or peak response periods.

Living and Working Conditions:

The position is based in HQs in Budapest which is the capital of Hungary where adequate infrastructure, health, education, banking and recreational facilities are easily accessible. Budapest is H category Duty Station. There are no specific security concerns not withstanding incidental events. Personal security is generally not an issue. However, staff members should be cautious and take responsibility for their own personal and residential security.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

TR-Training - Virtual and face to face

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Logistics

Certifications

HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Supply Chain Learning Program - UNHCR

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance