Supply Chain Management Associate

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) manages UNOPS' New York-based portfolios, delivering project and programme management, procurement, HR, and financial services to global partners, from the UN Secretariat to Member States. NYPO strategically positions UNOPS with these partners, fostering collaboration to achieve growth and leveraging expertise in global portfolio design and implementation. We support the broader SDGs and 2030 Agenda, primarily assisting the UN Secretariat and other New York-based UN entities with a global reach. NYPO encompasses the Peace and Security Cluster (PSC), focusing on explosive threat management, and the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC), providing diverse operational support to the UN system in New York.

Background Information - Peace and Security Cluster :

For over 20 years, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) has served as a key implementation platform supporting the work of its largest partner, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). Through a strategic partnership, PSC delivers interlinked portfolio, programme and project management services, reinforced by robust oversight and risk management controls tailored to operations in complex and high-risk environments.

Operating under the leadership of the Cluster Director - who holds overall authority and accountability for PSC’s performance on behalf of its clients - the Cluster provides day-to-day management of UNMAS field programmes. 

This includes comprehensive support across human resources, procurement, contract management, planning, implementation, and financial oversight, ensuring full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations and donor requirements.

PSC’s service delivery is complemented by cross-cutting initiatives, including knowledge and information management, gender equality, diversity and inclusion and quality assurance.

The Cluster enables agile deployment and operational flexibility, allowing field programmes to respond swiftly to shifting needs in dynamic operational contexts. It also plays an essential role in donor reporting and visibility, ensuring that funding is used transparently and effectively.

Background Information - UNMAS

Established in 1997, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) works to eliminate the threat of landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW), and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). UNMAS leads operational responses, coordinates mine action across the UN system, and contributes to global standards and policy development. 

UNMAS supports the UN's vision of "a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies." Operating under mandates from both the UN General Assembly and Security Council, UNMAS functions as a specialized service within the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). 

UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, or at the request of the UN Secretary-General or his designated official. When instructed by the Security Council or called upon by Member States, UNMAS deploys under humanitarian, peace and security mandates. UNMAS main headquarters is in the UN Secretariat, New York with a sub-office in Geneva. 

UNMAS provides direct support and assistance in the areas of explosive hazard threat mitigation to 18 countries/territories/missions, has a standby rapid response capacity and global technical advisors in the field of IEDs and Weapons and Ammunition Management.

 As an office within DPO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates. 

UNMAS chairs the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA) and leads the Mine Action Area of Responsibility under the Global Protection Cluster. It also chairs the IMAS Review Board and leads the UN Coordinating Task Force on IEDs, supporting the Secretary-General’s Disarmament Agenda

Background – UNMAS Sudan

The UNMAS Sudan Programme, based in Port Sudan, works in close coordination with the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA), the UN Country Team and humanitarian partners. The project aims to protect civilians from the threat of explosive ordnance (EO) and strengthen the resilience of conflict-affected communities through a comprehensive, gender-mainstreamed and conflict-sensitive mine action response. It also supports broader humanitarian, early recovery and stabilization efforts by enabling safe access to areas contaminated by EO.

UNMAS Sudan’s key activities include land release operations; delivery of both direct and indirect Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), tailored to different gender and age groups; and provision of technical advice to humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding (HDP) actors to help them safely operate in EO-affected environments. The project also leads the coordination of the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) in Sudan, co-chairing the sector under the Global Protection Cluster framework. Through this role, UNMAS ensures that mine action is effectively integrated into humanitarian coordination mechanisms and that EO threats are adequately understood and addressed at all levels.

In addition, the project plans to strengthen its engagement in Victim Assistance (VA), particularly in support of EO survivors - an area that has seen limited attention since the onset of the current conflict. This includes efforts to reactivate the VA pillar within the MA AoR and improve coordination, referral pathways and advocacy for services and support to victims.

While the Programme’s current operational footprint is primarily focused on areas under the control of the Sudan Government - especially urban areas in Khartoum and Al Jazirah - UNMAS Sudan aspires to expand its outreach to all EO-affected regions, addressing both legacy contamination and new threats emerging from the ongoing conflict.

Under the direct supervision of the Support Services Manager, the Supply Chain Management Associate ensures the provision of efficient and timely logistical and asset management support. They promote a client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approach while providing assistance to the procurement unit.  Summary of their key duties and responsibilities are as following:

• Conduct maintenance and ensure the safe and secure storage of all office equipment and property, including the management of office supplies and stationery. Duties include maintaining an inventory of items, distributing supplies to staff as needed, and keeping detailed distribution records.

• Assist with shipments and customs clearance arrangements by preparing documents for UNOPS shipments (both received and sent), ensuring all necessary documentation is complete, and implementing follow-up actions.

• Register assets while ensuring accurate records, including proper asset tagging.

• Conduct physical inventory checks and physical verification of the assets, draft periodic inventory and asset reports and support in the investigation of discrepancies.

• Responsible for ensuring all lost, damaged, transferred or other unusual asset transactions are immediately reported to the Support Services Manager with supporting documents as per the donor requirements.

• Support in ensuring all stores and equipment held by the project are stored safely, correctly, and securely depending upon the item classification.

• Support in maintaining an updated list of fleet supplies and fuel under each project ensuring accurate records and ensuring there is no waste, fraud or misuse. 

• Order fleet spare parts and consumables upon request and maintain inventory including fuel distribution and recording.

• Assist in preparing the maintenance work-plan and the budget to cover transportation needs.

• Provide timely and standard monthly reports, including the fuel consumption report, maintenance report, and any other reports requested by the supervisor.

• Maintain an up-to-date filing system for the UNMAS Sudan fleet.

• Coordinate with transport companies and freight forwarders regarding shipping documents, as well as the loading and unloading processes in accordance with the established INCOTERMS.

• Assist the Support Services Manager with transactional procurement services, mainly procurement planning, conducting routine market research, setting up/enhancing and maintaining of local suppliers database, reviewing procurement requisitions, drafting tenders and assisting in preparing shortlists of suitable suppliers, drafting awards and contract administration. 

Required:

• First level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience, OR 

• Secondary School diploma with a minimum of 6 years relevant experience.

Required:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in supply chain management, logistics and asset management, procurement, or any other relevant field in national or international public or corporate organizations.

• Proficiency in computer literacy is required, including experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite products, particularly Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Slides.

Desired:

• Experience working with UN/UNOPS financial rules and regulations is desired,

• Experience in UN system organisations is desired.