Job Description

Note: All recommended candidates who are not selected for this position, will be rostered for future Logistics Associate, G6 positions.

The Position:

The Logistics Associate position is located in the Logistics Management Services (LMS) Team within Pillar 2 – Supply Operations in the UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU). The position reports directly to the Freight Management Associate.

The Logistics Associate will work closely with other SCMU colleagues, Programme Division, the Humanitarian Response Division, other HQ Business Units, the Regional Offices and the Country Offices and with a number of external partners.

The position provides a pivotal hands on role to ensure that logistics operations are efficiently managed.

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 will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

UNFPA occupies a unique position in the sexual and reproductive health commodity ecosystem as a critical player in supply chain management, a leading public procurer of sexual and reproductive health commodities, a trusted partner to national governments, and one of the few organizations with the scale and partnerships necessary to build accountability for last mile delivery.

The UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) is self-funded and was made operational in January 2022. It is tasked with ensuring that UNFPA is able to effectively and efficiently support the delivery of life-saving reproductive health products and other programme supplies to the end user when and where they are needed. To achieve this, it is important to strengthen the capacity of governments and implementing partners to ensure coordination, end-to-end visibility and accountability on all supply chain and logistics management related activities, in particular for programme supplies, across all UNFPA programmes.

Job Purpose:

In general, the Logistics Associate will provide foundational support and ensuring smooth hands on operational execution of practical, day-to-day aspects of the logistics operations management function.

You would be responsible for:

Logistics Operations and Customer Support

• Support the planning, coordination and execution of logistics operations related to programme supplies, reproductive health commodities, humanitarian supplies and other UNFPA-managed products.
• Provide guidance and support to internal and external customers on logistics, inventory and shipment management processes and procedures.
• Process and monitor customer orders, supply requests and logistics transactions from receipt through final delivery.
• Coordinate with suppliers, freight forwarders, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), humanitarian partners and UNFPA business units to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of supplies.
• Obtain and analyse quotations, freight rates, cost estimates and delivery options to support operational decision-making.
• Monitor inventory availability, stock allocations, replenishment activities and stock movements, as assigned.
• Support transportation planning and shipment execution using air, sea, road and multimodal transport solutions.
• Monitor shipments through to final delivery and proactively identify, address or escalate delays, disruptions and operational issues.
• Coordinate the preparation, review and distribution of shipping documentation and other documents required for transportation, customs clearance and receipt of goods.
• Ensure customers receive timely shipment updates and all required logistics documentation.

Systems, Compliance and Performance Monitoring

• Create and process inventory transactions, logistics transactions, freight purchase orders, inventory orders and related records within UNFPA enterprise systems.
• Maintain accurate operational records within ERP, CRM and other corporate systems to support visibility, reporting and institutional memory.
• Record stock movements, stock depletion, shipment milestones and invoice-related transactions in accordance with established procedures.
• Support monitoring of supplier, warehouse and logistics service provider performance against agreed service levels and key performance indicators.
• Contribute to logistics reporting, data analysis and performance monitoring activities.
• Ensure compliance with UNFPA policies, procedures, contractual requirements and applicable logistics standards.

Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement

• Participate in training sessions, workshops and knowledge-sharing initiatives related to supply chain and logistics management.
• Contribute to the development, review and improvement of standard operating procedures, business processes, templates and operational tools.
• Support documentation of lessons learned, business requirements and process improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation to support knowledge management and business continuity.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency, visibility and customer service.

Collaboration and Business Continuity

• Work closely with colleagues across SCMU, Regional Offices, Country Offices, suppliers, logistics service providers and humanitarian partners to support effective supply chain operations.
• Provide operational support across inventory management, freight management and related logistics activities based on business priorities and workload requirements.
• Contribute to ensuring uninterrupted service delivery during staff absences, emergency responses, workload peaks and organizational priorities.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Chief, SCMU.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Completion of Secondary education is required.
• A University degree at Bachelor Level in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Procurement, Logistics, Transport Planning, International Commerce, or equivalent field is an asset.
• Qualification at Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT-UK) Level 3 Certificate in Logistics and Transport is an additional asset.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum 6 years of relevant progressively responsible experience in public or private sector managing international logistics and/or pre-positioned stock operations where:
  • At least two (2) years’ experience in logistics, warehousing, stock management, and in-country distribution and/or managing Last-Mile Logistics
  • Candidates with hands-on experience working in development and/or complex humanitarian operating environments in low-resource countries are considered a strong asset.
    
• Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is required.
• Knowledge of global supply chain security, risk management, and compliance regulations is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and capability to develop and maintain broad diversified partnerships is required.
• Basic proficiency in project management skills is an asset.
• Professional written and spoken presentation skills, including for the development of reports, presentations, and the ability to synthesize complex supply chain documents for both technical and non-technical audiences is an asset.
• Experience in supporting the implementation of logistics business transformation projects, especially those involving digitalisation and technological innovation is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

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,

Functional Competencies:

• Experience in logistics, stock management, and in-country distribution and/or managing Last-Mile Logistics
• Experience working in development and/or complex humanitarian operating environments in low-resource countries are considered a strong asset.
• Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
• Knowledge of global supply chain security, risk management, and compliance regulations

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:

This recruitment is for a General Service position. UNFPA does not cover any relocation or travel costs associated with taking up this appointment.

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.