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- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is committed to supporting Member Countries and Partners in preparing for and responding to disasters and crises that threaten agriculture, food and nutrition security or food safety. FAO’s work in emergencies focuses on reducing people’s vulnerability to these hazards, including animal and plant diseases, before, during and after disasters through good emergency management practices, including risk assessment, risk reduction, emergency preparedness and response, and rehabilitation.
FAO's Logistics Services Division (CSL) provides corporate logistics and supply chain strategies, policies, tools, and guidance to FAO Headquarter and Decentralized Offices. CSL supports FAO operations by strengthening logistics and supply chain systems to ensure efficiency, accountability, and timely delivery of assistance in support of FAO’s mandate.
The Logistics Services Division (CSL) works to secure a safe operating environment and to achieve greater efficiency, effectiveness, and synergy in operational and administrative practices, with a strong focus on timely, reliable service delivery in support of FAO programmes and operations.
FAO invites qualified senior professionals to express interest for inclusion in a roster, to support complex, high-visibility assignments related to the expansion, transformation, and orchestration of FAO supply chains at global level.
This Call for Expressions of Interest is for roster inclusion only and does not guarantee immediate selection or assignment.
Successful candidates may be considered for short-term or long-term assignments at FAO Headquarters, Regional Offices, Sub-regional Offices, or Country Offices, subject to operational needs and funding availability.
FAO is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages qualified women and nationals of under-represented countries to apply.
Reporting Lines
For Headquarters-based assignments, the Supply Chain Specialist reports administratively, operationally, and technically to the designated Head of Supply Chain Orchestration team (CSLO).
Technical Focus
Strategic supply chain orchestration and transformation, including the design, coordination, governance, and optimization of end-to-end supply chain models supporting FAO programmes, emergency responses, and corporate initiatives.
Tasks and Responsibilities
• Provide technical leadership on end-to-end supply chain orchestration and transformation across HQ, regions, and country operations.
• Lead the design, expansion, redesign, and/or scaling of FAO supply chain operating models, including governance, decision rights, accountability (RACI), service standards, and escalation mechanisms.
• Lead or contribute to complex analytical work, strategic assessments, and concept development related to supply chain design, governance, performance management, and integration across functions.
• Define and steer integrated planning approaches that connect programme delivery plans, procurement cycles, logistics capacity, and seasonal timelines, ensuring feasibility and readiness.
• Provide technical advice and analytical inputs to support senior management decision-making on supply chain matters, including trade-offs, risks, and mitigation measures, involving significant operational, financial, or reputational implications.
• Facilitate and coordinate cross-divisional and cross-functional engagement, aligning programme, procurement, logistics, IT, and partner perspectives into coherent supply chain solutions.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of policies, frameworks, SOPs, and guidance related to supply chain orchestration, process standardization, and operating models.
• Drive process transformation and change management initiatives by providing technical advice, facilitating stakeholder engagement, contributing to transition planning, and developing adoption support tools.
• Support the representation of FAO in high level technical discussions with partners, donors, UN agencies, and inter-agency mechanisms where supply chain strategy and coordination are in scope, as required.
• Contribute to organizational learning by documenting lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations for continuous improvement.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in supply chain management, logistics, procurement, business administration, economics, or a closely related field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 10 years of advanced, senior level professional experience in supply chain management, logistics, operations, or related areas, including leadership of complex initiatives and advisory functions, preferably within the UN.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Deep end to end supply chain expertise spanning planning, sourcing, logistics, inventory, distribution, and enabling capabilities (systems, data, governance).
• Proven ability to design, lead, and oversee complex supply chain initiatives, including operating model development, process transformation, and orchestration across multiple functions and stakeholders.
• Strong experience in analytical and advisory work, including the development of strategic assessments, performance frameworks, and evidence-based recommendations for senior management.
• Strong performance management capability, including KPI definition, pipeline visibility, exception management, and translating insights into corrective action.
• Advanced capability in stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and coordination, including interaction with senior counterparts, partners, and inter-agency mechanisms.
• Demonstrated experience in leading teams or providing technical oversight to consultants, project resources, or partners.
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian architecture and FAO’s mandate, role, and operating context is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of other FAO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is preferred.
Selection Criteria
• Demonstrated experience leading large scale or high complexity supply chain transformation in humanitarian, development, or public sector contexts (multi-country or global exposure strongly preferred).
• Proven record delivering complex analysis, senior decision support, and actionable recommendations with full technical independence.
• Experience in organizational change, operating model design, and capacity development.
• Strong drafting and communication skills, including the ability to produce clear frameworks, SOPs, guidance, and executive-ready products.
• Advanced facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder management, including influence at senior levels and across functions.
• Experience working with, or alongside, UN agencies or comparable international organizations is an asset.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- For more information, visit the FAO employment website
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT