Assistant Supply Officer (Proximity Sourcing Specialist)

July 23, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)

FamilyUNOPS LICA8

2026-08-01Title: Assistant Supply Officer (Proximity Sourcing Specialist)
ICA Level: LICA-8
Corresponding level: NO-A
Duration: from 01 August 2026 to 31 December 2026

1. General Background

The Proximity Sourcing project, a UNHCR supply chain innovation, aims to source Core Relief Items (CRIs) - including blankets, tents, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, and hygiene kits - from suppliers located near final beneficiary destinations, minimizing transit times, costs, and environmental impact in emergency responses. This initiative responds to escalating global displacement crises, affecting over 120 million people, by prioritizing local and regional markets in high-need areas like Sub-Saharan Africa Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia. Traditional long-haul procurement often faces delays from global disruptions, high freight costs, and carbon-intensive logistics; the Proximity approach builds resilient, shorter supply chains compliant with UNHCR's humanitarian principles, UN sustainability goals (e.g., SDG 13 on climate action), and local content policies. The incumbent will support this project within UNHCR's Global Supply Chain, conducting targeted market research to identify viable local CRI suppliers and enable faster, greener aid delivery.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The purpose is to support the Proximity Sourcing project by conducting comprehensive market research to map CRI suppliers within certain proximity to key operational destinations, facilitating localized procurement that cuts delivery times and boosts economic inclusion for host communities. The scope covers research design, data collection/analysis, supplier validation, and recommendations for an initial portfolio of Proximity suppliers across priority countries.

Key activities and measurable outputs include:
- Complete market scans for CRI categories in target regions, delivering detailed reports, identifying potential suppliers with verified capacity (output: supplier database with profiles).
- Analyze proximity feasibility (e.g., quality, pricing, compliance), achieving given match rate to UNHCR technical specifications and recommending suppliers for pilot tenders.
- Engage stakeholders with virtual/in-person assessments, producing a Proximity sourcing strategy with projected impacts like lead time reduction and cost savings per CRI shipment.
- Track progress via bi-weekly updates, culminating in a final evaluation report to quantify supplier viability against benchmarks.
- Support Project Coordinator to collect and harmonize inputs for donor reporting
- Support Project relevant teams to prepare capacity building materials and other relevant tools for field engagement
- Support the preparation of field visits to potential suppliers’ facilities

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

Performance will be monitored through the achievement of agreed project milestones and the timely delivery of assigned outputs, including:

- Completion of market research and supplier mapping activities in accordance with the agreed workplan and project priorities.
- Preparation of market assessments, supplier profiles, analytical reports and recommendations to support Proximity Sourcing implementation.
- Timely support to supplier engagement activities, field missions and technical assessments, as required.
- Effective coordination with internal and external stakeholders to collect, validate and consolidate project information.
- Timely preparation of inputs for donor reporting, project documentation and capacity-building materials.
- Delivery of assigned tasks in accordance with agreed timelines, quality standards and supervisor guidance.

Progress will be monitored through regular review meetings with the supervisor, assessment of deliverables against the agreed workplan and evaluation of the quality, timeliness and relevance of outputs in support of project objectives.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education
The educational background required for this position includes Bachelor’s/ university degree (or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Supply Chain, Procurement, Business Administration, Public Administration, or Law. Candidates with a first-level degree may be considered if they have additional relevant experience. Professional certifications in procurement are highly desirable and can enhance a candidate's qualifications for this role.

b. Work Experience
The Assistant Supply Officer (Proximity Sourcing Specialist) position requires a minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree. Relevant experience should be in public-sector procurement, supply chain management, or related fields, with a strong emphasis on international experience. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in conducting procurement reviews and managing complex procurement processes, particularly in the context of fundraising.

c. Key Competencies
N/A

Location and Conditions

This is a full time assignment with 40 working hours per week and the successful candidate will be based in Budapest, Hungary.

Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit a written test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

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.

Standard Job Description

Assistant Supply Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Assistant Supply Officer supports all activities pertaining to the supply chain function including planning, sourcing & procurement, transport, shipping, customs clearance, warehousing assets & fleet management within the area of responsibility. The position may be located at Headquarters (within DEPS), in a Regional Bureau or in a Country Office.
The incumbent is normally supervised by the (Senior) Supply Officer or other senior staff with supply oversight function who defines the objectives and provides general guidance. S/he will also refer to UNHCR manuals and relevant policy papers. The incumbent may supervise some staff and/or AWF.
In Bureaus and country operations s/he maintains regular contacts on working level with other UN agencies, UNHCR Partners, NGOs, government partners and commercial contractors in the area of operation.

S/he will support 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 assist in the maintenance of 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 Assistant Supply Officer 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 and if applicable.

Contacts are predominantly with other UN agencies, Implementing partners and Government Departments on relevant subject matters at the working level.

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
- Support all activities pertaining to the supply chain function including planning, sourcing, transport, shipping, customs clearance, warehousing, asset and fleet management, as applicable.
- Support the procurement process to ensure timely, cost-effective and adequate delivery of commodities and services to support operational needs.
- Identify partners for supply chain projects based on objectives, priorities, strengths and resources of the UNHCR Partner and/or contractor, according to criteria consistent with UNHCR rules and regulations.
- Ensure accurate and comprehensive records on supply activities and provide timely reports and updates both periodically and on request.
- Manage tender processes and assist in the preparation of proposals for award of contracts to the relevant CoCs.
- Prepare plans for delivery of relief and other non-food items according to the operational needs and regularly update the information in UNHCR IT systems.
- Apply UNHCR's sourcing and procurement strategy when planning for purchase of important commodities and services.
- Ensure timely customs clearance of consignments and manage warehousing according to "best practices" and UNHCR rules and regulations.
- Maintain an efficient system for the release, and redeployment of goods.
- Coordinate the release and transportation and of relief and other non-food items.
- Analyse matters relating to sourcing & procurement activities, and deliver information on all sourcing & procurement activities within area of responsibility. Provide guidance and advice on UNHCR procurement policies and procedures to support and assist requesting sections.
- Provides asset management reports, customised reports, and gathers information on all assets and provides in-depth reports periodically and when requested.
- Analyse the quality of commodities and services delivered in relation to the needs of the location and established quality standards. Establish a local quality assurance process.
- 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.
- Disseminate, promote commitment to and monitor compliance with UNHCR's global policies, standards and guidance on supply chain management.

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.
- Track the progress of specific periodic operations and provide guidance that ensures timely implementation.
- 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 and provide relevant reports to senior managers.
- Assist country operations in Cloud ERP management.
- Support the analysis of country financial reports and work with the Country Operations Supply Team leaders to address red areas relating to Supply aspects of operations.
- Support the country needs assessment plans and assist in combining them into regional procurement plans and monitor their timely implementation and changes based on operational needs.

In the Country Operations:
- Ensure that the local supply chain functions are optimised and aligned with the operations' evolving needs and management systems, and there is an infrastructure that is robust and flexible enough to accommodate operational volatile requirements.
- Coordinate supply activities of UNHCR Partners and/or contractors performing supply related activities, and ensure that they understand and adhere to relevant UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Through regular physical verification of PPE establish their status.
- Propose old and obsolete PPE for disposal and plan for arrival of replacement items.
- Implement effective asset and fleet management that regularly monitors the asset/fleet pool, saves cost and safeguards the investment of the organisation including receipt, inspection, registration & marking of new Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE), and organisation of the physical verification of PPE.
- Ensure that PPE agreements are properly issued and signed. Ensure proper preparation of disposal forms and cases for the Asset Management Board. Organize the disposal of PPE according to Asset Management Board decisions.
- Adapt local supply chain structures to be consistent with the operational needs. Ensure effective information flow in the supply chain and adapt local process to the prevailing environment.

- 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 P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Business Administration,
Engineering,
Logistics,
Supply Chain Management,
International Commerce

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Supply Chain Learning Programme
Fritz Institute Certificate in Humanitarian Logistics (CHL)
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
Not specified.
Desirable
Other UN procurement and logistics training ¿ such as IAPSO and UNPD.

Functional Skills
SC-PeopleSoft Supply Chain Management
IT-Computer Literacy
SC-Supply Planning
SC-Customs clearance
SC-Logistics
SC-Warehouse Management
SC-Fleet Management
SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures
SC-Asset Management
(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.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, SC-Asset Management, SC-Customs clearance, SC-Fleet Management, SC-Logistics, SC-PeopleSoft Supply Chain Management, SC-Supply Planning, SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures, SC-Warehouse Management

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Engineering, Bachelor of Arts: Logistics, Bachelor of Arts: Mathematics

Certifications

Fritz Humanitarian Logistics - Other, HCR Supply Chain Learning Program - UNHCR, Institute of Purchasing and Supply - Other

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No