Senior Supply Chain Specialist

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations supports Member Countries and Partners in disaster and crisis preparedness and response, focusing on agriculture, food security, and safety. FAO's work in emergencies aims to reduce vulnerability through risk assessment, reduction, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation. The Logistics Services Division (CSL) provides global logistics and supply chain strategies, policies, and guidance to FAO offices, strengthening systems for efficient and timely assistance delivery in line with FAO's mandate.

Job Purpose

This role focuses on strategic supply chain orchestration and transformation. It involves the design, coordination, governance, and optimization of end-to-end supply chain models. These models are crucial for supporting FAO's diverse programmes, enabling effective emergency responses, and driving corporate initiatives. The objective is to enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of FAO's supply chain operations on a global scale, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and operational requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership for end-to-end supply chain orchestration and transformation across headquarters, regional, and country operations. Lead the design, expansion, redesign, and scaling of FAO's supply chain operating models, defining governance, decision rights, accountability, service standards, and escalation mechanisms. Conduct complex analytical work, strategic assessments, and concept development for supply chain design, governance, performance management, and functional integration. Define and steer integrated planning approaches connecting programme delivery, procurement, logistics capacity, and timelines. Offer technical advice and analytical input for senior management decision-making on supply chain matters, including trade-offs and risk mitigation. Facilitate cross-divisional and cross-functional engagement to develop coherent supply chain solutions. Contribute to policy, framework, SOP, and guidance development for supply chain orchestration and process standardization. Drive process transformation and change management through technical advice, stakeholder engagement, and transition planning. Represent FAO in high-level technical discussions with partners and UN agencies. Document lessons learned and best practices for continuous improvement.

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years of advanced, senior-level professional experience in supply chain management, logistics, or operations is required. This experience should include leading complex initiatives and providing advisory functions, preferably within the United Nations system.

Skills

Requires deep end-to-end supply chain expertise (planning, sourcing, logistics, inventory, distribution, systems, data, governance). Proven ability to design, lead, and oversee complex supply chain initiatives, including operating model development and process transformation across multiple functions and stakeholders. Strong analytical and advisory skills for strategic assessments and senior management recommendations. Proficient in performance management, KPI definition, and translating insights into action. Advanced stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and coordination capabilities. Experience leading teams or providing technical oversight. Strong drafting and communication skills for producing clear frameworks, SOPs, and executive-ready products. Advanced facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills are essential.

Explore related opportunities