Job Description

The Position:

National Specialist to Support the Regional Assignment on Developing a Competency Framework for Supply Chain Management Personnel in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The National Specialist, under the supervision of the UNFPA SRH National Program Analyst and the Consultant/Consultancy company contracted by the EECARO will be responsible for performing the following scope of work:

• Support mapping and engagement of key national stakeholders relevant to health supply chain workforce development.
• Facilitate collection of country-specific documents, policies, qualification standards, and SCM training information.
• Coordinate interviews, consultations, and meetings with relevant stakeholders.
• Support identification of competency gaps and workforce challenges related to SRH supply chain management.
• Assist in validating findings and reviewing country-specific inputs into the regional competency framework.
• Provide contextual analysis of national qualification systems, workforce structures, and institutional arrangements.

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

Job Purpose:

UNFPA Regional office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECARO) is undertaking a regional initiative to develop a standardized competency framework and qualification standards for health supply chain management (SCM) personnel in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA). The initiative seeks to strengthen Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) commodity security by improving the professionalization, competency standards, and qualification pathways of supply chain personnel responsible for procurement, warehousing, inventory management, quality assurance, and distribution of health commodities.

To perform this initiative, EECARO is in the process of selecting a Consultant/Consultancy company, which will provide a detailed methodology of work, set detailed timelines, coordinate the entire regional process, and deliver final regional-level outputs.

As part of this regional assignment, local country-level support is required to facilitate stakeholder engagement, coordinate consultations, collect country-specific information and documentation, and support data gathering related to existing SCM training programmes, qualification systems, competency requirements, and workforce development mechanisms.

The purpose of this assignment is to provide in-country coordination, stakeholder engagement, documentation retrieval, and data collection support for the regional consultancy developing the EECA competency framework for health supply chain management personnel.

UNFPA Kazakhstan therefore seeks to engage National Consultant, who will act as the country focal point to support consultations with government institutions, educational institutions, professional bodies, SCM practitioners, and development partners, while facilitating access to relevant national information and documentation.

You would be responsible for:

A. Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement

Identify and map relevant national stakeholders such as, (the below are examples of stakeholders, the actual list will be finalised with the Consultant/Consultancy company):

• Ministries of Health
• Ministries of Education
• National qualification and accreditation bodies
• Public health institutes
• Universities and vocational education institutions
• SCM training providers
• Professional associations in logistics and supply chain management
• Health supply chain managers and logisticians
• Regulatory authorities
• Development partners and UN agencies
• Facilitate introductions and communication between stakeholders and the lead consultant/team.
• Coordinate scheduling of interviews, meetings, workshops, and consultations.
• Support stakeholder participation in surveys and validation activities.
• Participate in stakeholder consultations where necessary and provide contextual clarification.

B. Documentation and Information Collection

Collect and organize relevant country-level documentation related to:

• National qualification frameworks
• SCM workforce policies and standards
• Health workforce development strategies
• SCM curricula and training programmes
• Accreditation and certification requirements
• Continuing professional development (CPD) frameworks
• Competency standards and occupational classifications
• Regulatory guidance related to SCM personnel
• Existing assessment and examination systems
• Institutional mandates related to workforce development

Compile information on:

• Existing pre-service and in-service SCM training programmes
• Programme duration and structure
• Accreditation status
• Delivery modalities
• Target audiences
• Inclusion of SRH supply chain management content
• Existing competency assessment methods

C. Country-Level Workforce and Competency Gap Analysis

Support collection of information related to:

• Existing competencies and qualification requirements for health supply chain personnel
• Workforce gaps and training needs
• Challenges in SRH commodity management
• Cold chain management practices
• Inventory management and stock monitoring practices
• Data management and forecasting capacities
• Regulatory compliance requirements
• Capacity gaps in quality assurance and procurement management

Gather qualitative insights from stakeholders regarding:

• Priority competency gaps
• Institutional barriers
• Workforce professionalization challenges
• Opportunities for harmonization and standardization

D. Coordination and Validation Support

The National specialist will:

• Provide regular progress updates to the Consultant/Consultancy company and UNFPA CO.
• Support follow-up communications with stakeholders.
• Assist in validating country findings and reviewing draft country profiles.
• Support organization of national or regional validation meetings/workshops.
• Coordinate stakeholder feedback collection on draft competency frameworks and policy recommendations.
• Prepare brief summaries of country consultations and findings.

Methodology of work:

The National specialist will work closely with the Consultant/Consultancy company using:

• Desk review and document collection
• Stakeholder outreach and coordination
• Key informant interviews
• Surveys and structured consultations
• Data collection using standardized templates and tools
• Validation meetings and workshops

The National specialist is expected to ensure timely, accurate, and well-documented collection of information in line with UNFPA guidance and confidentiality requirements.

The scope of work, and methodologies stated above is indicative. The Consultant/Consultancy company will communicate the actual scope of work and methodologies.

Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in health systems, workforce development, supply chain management, education, or public sector coordination.

Education:

Advanced university degree in Supply Chain Management, Public Health, Pharmacy, Logistics, Education, Human Resources Development, Social Sciences, or related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Strong understanding of national education, qualification, and/or health systems.
• Experience engaging with ministries, universities, professional associations, and development partners.
• Experience in qualitative data collection, stakeholder consultations, and report preparation.
• Familiarity with SRH commodity management and health supply chains is an advantage

Languages:

• Fluency in English (required)
• Proficiency in Russian and Kazakh (required)

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
• Excellent communication, coordination, and organizational skills.

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package

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.