UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

Supply Officer

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency  •  Kyiv, UA (Onsite)  •  1 day ago
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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.

Deadline for Applications

June 12, 2026

Hardship Level

D

Family Type

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Budapest, Hungary

Grade

PR3

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2026-05-26

Standard Job Description

Supply Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Supply Officer supports the supply activities at global, regional or country operations level. The position may be located at Headquarters (within DEPS), in a Regional Bureau or in a Country Office. In the Bureau the incumbent normally reports to the Senior Supply Officer or the Senior Operations Coordinator. In the Country Operation s/he normally reports to the Senior Supply Officer or the Head of Office, as appropriate. The incumbent maintains contact with other UN agencies, NGOs, government partners and commercial contractors to facilitate supply activities operations. The incumbent may directly supervise professional and general service staff in the office. As and when required, the incumbent will provide support to other units under the respective area of responsibility.

S/he will ensure effective supply chain that enables the office to meet the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons as well as timely delivery of quality goods and services to forcibly displaced and stateless persons. Further, the incumbent will create/maintain a supply chain infrastructure that is robust and flexible enough to accommodate the needs of the operation and that enables timely emergency responses, along with effective partners to support supply activities. The incumbent will also create/maintain offices' supply chain optimised and aligned with the operations' evolving needs and management systems.

The incumbent maintains impartial, ethical and customer-oriented relations with suppliers and Partner organizations; exchanges information with counterparts in other UN agencies, and International Organisations within the limits established by UN /UNHCR Procurements Rules and assists with joint procurement actions if, as and whenever necessary.

The incumbent will support the coordination of the delivery of assistance from the regional warehouse, if applicable. S/he will liaise with SMS staff who manage the Global Stockpiles and who manage the Global Asset and Fleet Management, if and as required. In addition, the incumbent will coordinate with SMS regarding policies, overall planning and management of resources that have an impact on Supply or where Supply has an impact on other parts of the operation.

In the Bureau the function extends to capacity-building, coaching and guidance on policy and operational issues to ensure compliance with UNHCR procurement, logistics and asset management rules and regulations; as well as support supply planning, implementation, reporting and statistics. The Supply Officer, being part of the Bureau Supply team will, take on the role of supporting, analysing and coaching the supply functions at Country Operation levels. The Supply Officer will primarily focus on supporting the sourcing/procurement aspects of the supply function, as Bureau remains a procurement-prone region requiring a sound level of risk management tools. In complex and challenging operational environment, an excellent procurement expertise will then be required to mainstream UN procurement principles as well as UNHCR internal policies throughout the region. This would include to ensure that each country operation can maintain an effective and compliant supply chain that enables the office to meet the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons as well as timely delivery of quality goods and services to forcibly displaced and stateless persons. Furthermore, the incumbent will be part of the reviewing team of the Regional Committee on Contracts which has been established to approve cases at a higher threshold than the Local Committee on Contracts. The Supply Officer will assist Country Operations on how to create/maintain a supply chain infrastructure that is robust and flexible enough to accommodate the needs of the operation and that enables timely emergency responses, along with effective partners to support supply activities. S/he will also have a large responsibility on capturing, analysing and reporting the information from the different Country Operations of the Bureau. This would require strong interaction and coordination in addition to an excellent knowledge of UNHCR tools (COMPASS, Cloud ERP, Power BI - Results Data Portal) and data analysis.

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
- Analyse the existing infrastructure and ensure that it is optimally aligned with the operational needs.
- Support all activities pertaining to the supply chain function including planning, sourcing, transport, shipping, customs clearance, warehousing, asset and fleet management in the operation.
- Support the procurement process to ensure timely, cost-effective and adequate delivery of commodities and services to support operational needs.
- Contribute to the development of relevant contacts and build constructive relations with government authorities, implementing partners, UN agencies and others, to foster mutual cooperation for the timely delivery of relief items avoiding bottlenecks.
- Adapt standard supply chain structures to the local environment that are consistent with the operational needs.
- Guide the office should they need additional office space or extensions to their office leases, lease hold improvements or other construction. Carry out the procurement aspect of the establishment of office leases or extensions.
- Assist in the coordination with CBI stakeholders the design and implementation of the market assessment and market monitoring to determine if CBI is option. Carry out the procurement action to contract Financial Service Providers (FSP).
- Establish and maintain an efficient and skilled workforce that is capable of supporting on-going operations.
- Support the Identification of partners for supply chain projects based on objectives, priorities, strengths and resources of the Partner and/or contractor, according to criteria consistent with UNHCR rules and regulations.
- Participate in Identifying, assessing and selecting vendors based on their capability for delivering commodities and services. Maintain vendor and item master databases.
- Implement effective asset and fleet management that regularly monitors the asset/fleet pool, increases efficiency safeguards the investment of the organisation.
- Analyse the quality of commodities and services delivered in relation to the needs of the location and established quality standards.
- Support the coordination activities of Partners and/or contractors performing supply related activities, and ensure that they understand and adhere to relevant UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Maintain an up-to-date overview of the location's supply chain capacity and preparedness, as well as, that of its partners to ensure that adequate capacity exist also to cover emergencies.
- Monitor the quality and accuracy of supply chain related data in relevant business systems. Compile and analyse statistical information, identify trends and developments in supply chain related matters that will assist in decision making
- Implement supply operations based on interpretations of the situation and conclusions to how the operation can be best implemented.
- Resolve difficulties in the local supply chain by finding solutions to problems and bottlenecks, and provide regular reports on supply chain activities, the status of requests and the availability of items in the supply chain.
- Disseminate, promote commitment to and monitor compliance with UNHCR's global policies, standards and guidance on supply chain management.
- Ensure effective information flow in the supply chain and adapt process and documents to the prevailing environment.
- Depending on the size of the operation act as ex-officio in the LCC Review and clear procurement cases for the relevant procurement authority.

In the Regional Bureaux:
- Support Country Operations on how to implement supply operations based on interpretations of the situation and conclusions to how the operation can be best implemented.
- Ensure that global Supply policies are understood by all Supply teams in the region by offering summaries and relevant interpretations in the regional context.
- Seek opportunities for regionalizing and streamlining Supply operations where operational advantage can be achieved
- Track the progress of specific periodic operations and provide guidance that ensures timely implementation.
- Organize and deliver training at regional level in the different Supply functions such as procurement, logistics, asset and fleet management.
- Assist in coaching and advising individuals or Supply teams as requested.
- Track global Supply KPIs for the region and devise regional ones as required.
- Monitor all periodic Supply exercises such as monthly reconciliations, quarterly physical inventory exercises, and year-end accounts closure procedures and ensure that they are implemented throughout the region.
- Regularly visit country operations and their Supply teams including visits to camps and other operational sites, provide oversight and support within the operational context.
- Assist in providing a diagnostic on Cloud ERP and Power BI management reports for country operations, and coordinating with the Regional Supply Coordinator for necessary follow-up to ensure that data, in particular stocks accurately and completely reflect the reality in the warehouses.
- Support the revision of country financial reports and work with the Country Operations Supply Team leaders to address red areas relating to Supply aspects of operations.
- Ensure that country needs assessment plans are established, combine them into regional procurement plans and monitor their timely implementation and changes based on operational needs.
- Monitor and advise operations on import and customs clearance (as required) to resolve and ensure bottlenecks a smooth flow of goods to the operations.
- Ensure coordinated emergency deployments of staff in consultation with SMS to countries in the Bureau.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).

- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Supply Chain Management;
Business Administration;
International Commerce;
Engineering;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Certificate from Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supplies, e.g. CFIPS, CMIPS, MCIPS;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Proficient knowledge of logistics/supply systems with proven experience at previous work positions, preferably UN. Good working knowledge and experience in handling contract issues in the context of UN policies and standards. Experience in contract negotiations; ability to provide technical guidance to subordinate staff; ability to plan and organise work assignments, often under close deadlines. Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks with speed, in a courteous and service oriented manner. Proven ability to manage a team.
Desirable
Database management skills and experience and working knowledge of ERP systems, ideally of UNHCR's Cloud ERP would be an advantage. Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to deal with persons of different cultural and educational backgrounds. Technical knowledge of types of services, supplies and goods purchased by UNHCR for Headquarters, Regional and Field Offices would be an advantage. Relevant training, such as CIPS, or other public procurement trainings. Knowledge of UN and UNHCR Financial Regulations and Rules relating to procurement and UNHCR Chapter 8. Aviation services knowledge for movements of goods/passengers.

Functional Skills
UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures
DM-Database Management
SC-Supply Chain planning and strategy development
(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.

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.

Desired Candidate Profile

Essential Attributes
Proven experience in supply chain management, with a strong focus on procurement within UN or comparable international organizations.
Strong knowledge of UN and UNHCR financial regulations, rules and procurement frameworks.
Demonstrated technical knowledge of procurement processes for goods, services and works, including complex or project-based procurement (e.g. construction).
Proven experience managing procurement processes, contract administration and audit follow-up, including implementation of system-based improvements.
Strong experience in contract management, negotiation and oversight in line with UN policies and standards.
Demonstrated experience using enterprise systems and data management tools, including Cloud ERP and procurement-related databases.
Experience coordinating supply and procurement activities with stakeholders across operational functions and teams.
Desirable Attributes
Professional certification or training in procurement or supply chain management (e.g. CIPS or equivalent).
Experience in humanitarian, emergency or complex operational environments.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

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 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been present in Ukraine since 1994 and substantially increased its presence and response after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The geographical presence within Ukraine has significatively expanded to deliver the emergency response. The country office is located in the capital, Kyiv, and sub- and field offices are currently located in Dnipro, Kyiv, L’viv, Odesa and Kharkiv.

The war in Ukraine has caused death and suffering on a dramatic scale. In 2026, with an estimated 10.8 million people in need, humanitarians aim to reach 4.1 million of the most vulnerable, prioritizing those experiencingthe most severe conditions. Some 3.7 million people are internally displaced, while around 5.9 million refugees from Ukraine are recorded across Europe and beyond. Some 75,000 people, including some of the most vulnerable, notably older people and people with disabilities, live in collective sites spread across the country. Ukraine also hosts asylum-seekers and refugees and is home to thousands of people who are stateless or at risk of statelessness.

The massive destruction of civilian infrastructure, with the energy sector being particularly targeted has made life extremely challenging for millions of people who have lost their homes and livelihoods, and has severely disrupted access to electricity, water, heating as well as critical services, including healthcare, education and social protection. Humanitarian access continues to be hampered, particularly in frontline areas as well as to areas under temporary occupation of the Russian Federation. Civilians remain exposed to serious risks to their physical security and integrity, particularly in eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. The risk of GBV, including sexual violence, continues to prevail, alongside family separations, loss of housing and properties, as well as identity and civil documentation. Populations displaced or otherwise affected by the war live in situations of deprivation, following the loss or damage of their housing, loss of income, and often become dependent on an overstretched social protection system.

The Government of Ukraine maintains a strong lead role in responding to the needs of its population and UNHCR supports the Government and its central and local institutions to provide protection, shelter/housing, cash and in-kind assistance to displaced and other people impacted by the war. Currently, UNHCR has MOUs with four-line ministries, the Pension Fund of Ukraine, the First Lady’s foundation as well as the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman), 20 regional state administrations and agreements with 12 partners to deliver assistance and support the localization of the response. Under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, UNHCR operates as part of the Inter-agency humanitarian response, working in close coordination with local authorities and humanitarian partners. UNHCR is leading two Clusters - Protection and Shelter and NFI Cluster, including the multi-sectoral coordination in transit centers and collective sites. The strategic orientation of UNHCR’s response is to reach people, particularly those with specific vulnerabilities, who remain in frontline and heavily affected areas with immediate relief while supporting displaced people and those who have remained in their homes, or returned, with protection advice, housing support, livelihoods advice and cash assistance to enable their recovery and attainment of durable solutions.

Protection needs to be truly at the center of this response, as the highest critical needs of the population caused by the international armed conflict are in the area of protection. Since Ukraine is a highly sophisticated country with a strong government leadership and well-established administrative, social protection and digital systems, it is essential to design and deliver UNHCR’s protection programs in a way which simultaneously addresses immediate needs and supports the further development of sustainable and inclusive national protection systems.

With the EU having voted to confirm Ukraine’s accession to the EU at the end of 2023, Ukraine will also embark on a series of substantial and long-term reforms in numerous sectors, including justice and home affairs, which presents an opportunity to contribute to strengthened and more inclusive protection, asylum and statelessness reduction systems. Working closely with government authorities, local community representatives and partners from the embassies, UN, civil society and international financial institutions, amongst others, is thus key to ensuring that UNHCR’s response is closely aligned with and complementary of national and local strategies and recovery plans.

As the war continues, new urgent humanitarian needs are created every day, alongside protracted ones and peoples’ and communities’ efforts to recover and rebuild their lives in war-torn communities. Among the IDPs and refugees from Ukraine, the majority express a hope and desire to return to their homes as soon as the security situation allows. The protection needs of the population thus need to be analyzed and addressed both from a humanitarian as well as from an early recovery and durable solutions perspective, with UNHCR playing a leading role in this work.

The role demands proactive management of all procurement activities in a potentially dynamic and evolving operational environment. This includes ensuring timely and compliant actions in both standard and emergency scenarios for procurement action of most complex nature, including shelter and construction, aligning with established procurement policies and procedures.

Living and Working Conditions

Ukraine is currently designated as a non-family country location, with Dnipro and Kharkiv classified as “E” duty stations with 4-week R&R cycle, whereas Kyiv, Odesa and Lviv are classified as “D” duty station with 6-week RR Cycle and Budapest being a designated R&R location for all duty stations. English is not widely spoken, access to hard currency is possible from local banks (rents are normally paid in USD). International staff rent private apartments in the cities of their duty stations. The quality of life is of average European standard, with relatively solid infrastructure. However, the volatile security situation, which includes frequent missile and drone attacks that trigger air raid alarms, requiring immediate move to the shelters (frequently during nights) affects the living and working environment on everyday basis resulting with sleep deprivation, high levels of stress, affecting the staff welfare and wellbeing. In addition, due to massive attacks on the country’s critical infrastructure there are frequent and prolonged electricity cuts, coupled with lack of generators in private multistorey buildings and apartments, which may also affect elevators, heating, water, and possibly sewage systems, leading to an overall unpredictable and at times difficult living conditions, especially in winter. Due to the state of war, there is a country wide curfew in place from 00:00-05:00 every night. Also, all airports are closed, and air-traffic is not available, resulting in travel within and in and out from/to Ukraine being done mainly by car and trains, supported by official shuttle for Poland and Moldova border crossing. Average train ride combined with shuttle by road from Kyiv to Poland, Hungary or Moldova airports ranges from 11-17 hours with train tickets selling very quickly.

Security

The war in Ukraine remains ongoing. Russian Federation (RF) Armed Forces continue to occupy Crimea and significant parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, with recent advances near Pokrovsk and deeper into Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Approximately 19% of Ukraine’s territory is under RF control.

The front line remains the primary zone of kinetic military operations, particularly in the east (Donetsk and Luhansk), southeast (Zaporizhzhia), and areas north of Kharkiv. Heavy fighting continues around Pokrovsk, where RF forces are attempting to encircle Ukrainian positions, and in Zaporizhzhia, where breakthroughs have occurred under cover of poor weather. RF forces are conducting large-scale missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including the use of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and combat drones. These attacks increasingly target civilian areas and critical infrastructure, such as energy facilities, transport hubs, and residential buildings. Emergency power outages are now routine due to sustained strikes on the energy grid, creating severe hardship as winter sets in. Commercial air travel remains suspended, with road and rail as the only viable transport options.

Deliberate attacks on humanitarian convoys have occurred. On 14 October 2025, a clearly marked UN inter-agency convoy delivering aid to Bilozerka (Kherson region) came under artillery fire and drone strikes by RF forces. Two World Food Programme trucks were destroyed by drones, despite visible UN markings. Fortunately, no staff were injured, but this incident reflects a broader pattern of increased risk to humanitarian personnel. Since the full-scale invasion, humanitarian workers have faced violence, and some have been killed and injured in Ukraine, primarily in front-line areas. UN facilities and assets have also been damaged in strikes on urban centres, and humanitarian access remains severely constrained. Front-line shifts and intensified hostilities have led to extremely high access constraints in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and parts of Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv oblasts. Mines, UXOs, and ongoing military operations further restrict movement.

The UN Security Management System (UNSMS) continues to apply the Security Risk Management (SRM) process. Current risk levels range from High to Very High, and in some areas with active hostilities. Across all SRM areas where UNHCR operates, the projected risk level remains High. Applicants for positions in Ukraine must be prepared for a highly dynamic and hazardous security environment where unexpected events occur frequently. Key considerations: Air raids are frequent, requiring staff to shelter for extended periods. Power, heating, and water outages are common, especially during winter. Disruptions to essential services (shops, banks, restaurants) may occur. Curfews apply nationwide; private travel by international staff is prohibited. All mission travel requires authorisation and completion of mandatory BSAFE, SSAFE, and IFAK training, plus security clearance.

The UNHCR Field Security Unit (FSU) works closely with UNDSS and other UNSMS partners to ensure program delivery within acceptable risk parameters. Contingency planning remains critical to support UNHCR’s mandate of providing protection and assistance to people in need. Given the evolving operational and security environment, maintaining robust security preparedness is essential.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Marketing, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Institute of Purchasing and Supply - Other

Work Experience

Competencies

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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

About UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.

We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

We deliver life-saving assistance, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place called home where they can build a better future. We also work to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality.

We work in over 130 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

UNHCR’s greatest asset is our workforce. We work with passionate, talented and creative individuals who want to use their skills for good. Thanks to people like you, we can develop solutions that enable people who have been forced to flee to restart their lives and build better futures.

Current Opportunities

http://www.unhcr.org/careers.html

Meet UNHCR Staff

https://bit.ly/2EMZrlO

⚠️ Important notice: Our protection work extends to online spaces, which means we may hide/delete comments with hate/spam/profanity/misinfo/disinfo.

Industry
Government & Public Safety
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
Geneva, CH
Year Founded
Unknown
Website
unhcr.org
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