Senior Expert, Humanitarian Supply Chains Consultant, UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen. Remote with frequent visits to Copenhagen Supply Division, 12 months.

UNICEF’s mission is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in every aspect of its operations, with a strong emphasis on equity. Access to basic services, such as health, education, and nutrition, relies heavily on well-functioning supply chains, which are essential to achieving children's rights. However, recent global disruptions, such as those caused by climate change and conflicts, have highlighted the fragility of supply chains. Given the impact of these disruptions on vulnerable populations in particular through the disrupted access to essential supplies, UNICEF is prioritizing efforts to strengthen the resilience of supply chains for children through strategic public-private partnerships and innovative tools.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Hope...

UNICEF’s mission is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in every aspect of its operations, with a strong emphasis on equity. Access to basic services, such as health, education, and nutrition, relies heavily on well-functioning supply chains, which are essential to achieving children's rights. However, recent global disruptions, such as those caused by climate change and conflicts, have highlighted the fragility of supply chains. Given the impact of these disruptions on vulnerable populations in particular through the disrupted access to essential supplies, UNICEF is prioritizing efforts to strengthen the resilience of supply chains for children through strategic public-private partnerships and innovative tools.

The purpose of this consultancy is to advance strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience of global humanitarian supply chains, with particular focus on the Global Supply Resilience Initiative (GSRI). Working in collaboration with key teams in UNICEF’s Supply Division, and under the close guidance of the Partnership Manager, the consultant will lead UNICEF’s contributions to a feasibility study on a data-sharing platform (The Global Supply Chain Dashboard - GSSD) under the GSRI. The consultant will also contribute to the development of Supply Division’s multi-stakeholder partnership engagements to address supply chain challenges, aiming at strengthening and building more resilient supply chains.

How can you make a difference? 

Working in collaboration with key teams in Supply Division, and under the close guidance of the Partnership Manager.

1. Lead UNICEF’s efforts on the Global Supply Resilience Initiative, including the feasibility study of the Global
Supply Chain Dashboard (approximately 50% of the time)

The Consultant will dedicate 50% of his/her time driving UNICEF’s contributions to the feasibility study for the Global Supply Chain Dashboard (GSSD). This initiative, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, the Kühne Foundation, and various public and private sector partners, aims to enhance the resilience of the global supply system through a shared intelligence platform. The platform is envisioned to improve visibility of supply chain risks, disruptions, and capacities, drawing on the work already done under the GSRI and referenced in the 2023 Insight Report (WEF_Shared_Intelligence_for_Resilient_Supply_Systems_2023.pdf (weforum.org). The feasibility study will explore potential solutions for the challenges outlined in the report, identifying ways to address supply chain vulnerabilities, improve decision-making, and enable collective action to mitigate disruptions and bottlenecks in supply chains.

Specific responsibilities:
a. In close collaboration with the project leads from the World Economic Forum and the Kühne Foundation, lead the efforts from UNICEF side on the development of a comprehensive feasibility assessment for the GSSD. The study will outline key elements including costs, technological requirements, immediate humanitarian use cases, and data needs. It will also propose hosting options and define the conditions necessary for effective data-sharing among stakeholders. The focus will be on identifying high-impact, low-effort “quick wins” that can accelerate platform development and deliver immediate value. UNICEF, through the consultant, will be responsible for representing the humanitarian perspective, articulating the value for the sector, supporting industry engagement, and contributing to the drafting of the feasibility study report.

b. Join the World Economic Forum - Kühne Foundation project group, participate in project meetings and partner meetings to drive forward the feasibility assessment.

c. Compile Supply Division’s contribution to the joint report (led by WEF with key inputs from KF and UNICEF), detailing the feasibility study's findings and offering recommendations for the next phase of the GSSD, including a high-level roadmap with actionable steps for platform development.

d. Support the definition of the subsequent phase after the feasibility study, including outlining UNICEF’s role and strategic involvement.

2. Provide strategic support to multi-stakeholder engagement for key initiatives related to collaboration between the humanitarian and the private sector – in particular the transport and supply chain sector. This includes extending the benefits of key initiatives to other humanitarian actors and creating shared impact.

a. Support UNICEF’s strategic engagement of key humanitarian and transport and supply chain partners under the Humanitarian Transport and Logistics Alliance to identify and develop sustainable benefits for all stakeholders. This includes contributing to the planning of an Alliance conference in 2025, the official launch of the Alliance, as well as contribute with strategic advice on the Alliance structure and governance from a multi-stakeholder perspective. This may involve the development of joint ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics to create long-term shared value.

b. Support advocacy and partnership activities related to UNICEF’s efforts to strengthen importation systems in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation.

c. Provide expert advice and develop and coordinate briefing materials to support UNICEF’s role in multi-stakeholder engagement efforts, contributing to the broader humanitarian sector’s work in advancing a more strategic approach to humanitarian supply chains across the sector.

d. Organize and participate in key internal and external meetings, conferences, workshops, events, representing UNICEF’s interests and advancing UNICEF’s supply objectives. 

Work assignment summary and deadline.

• Lead UNICEF efforts on the GSRI as per above - Join the WEF/KF project group, participate in project meetings and
  partner meetings to drive forward the feasibility assessment. Coordinate UNICEF inputs for the feasibility assessment - Feasibility
  assessment period expected to be 7 months, including start-up.
• Contribute to multi-stakeholder engagement initiatives as per key points 1 and 2 above - A workplan with deliverables will be developed upon commencement of the consultancy - to be completed within the first two months of Consultancy.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• University degree in fields such as Supply Chain Management, International Relations, Business Administration, Logistics, Communications, Information Management, International Relations, Social Sciences or closely related field.
• Additional qualifications or certifications in Project Management, Change Management or Humanitarian Supply Chains would be an
  advantage.
• A minimum of 12 years of relevant international professional experience, with a strong track record in humanitarian logistics, supply chain management, project management and multistakeholder partnerships.
• Experience working with global supply chain systems, ideally with humanitarian actors, public-private partnerships, or multilateral
  initiatives.
• Strong background in engaging with public and private sector actors to build consensus, design solutions, and develop strategic roadmaps.
• Experience with advocacy, policy analysis, and strategic communications in the context of humanitarian supply chains or international
  development.
• Experience in designing, monitoring and coordinating projects including planning, development and review.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

Evaluation Criteria 

A) Technical Evaluation (e.g. maximum 75 Points)

• Educational background
• Relevant work experience.
• Proposal describing relevant related work.

B) Financial Proposal (e.g. maximum of 25 Points)

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Deliverables rate measured by daily rate
3. At least 3 Reference contacts.
4. A copy of your highest diploma.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

  To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.