Ensure that UNHCR operations have effective and efficient supply chain arrangements in place to support emergency preparedness and response from the onset of an emergency.
Develop and implement results-based supply chain strategies and plans for immediate, medium-term and protracted emergency interventions, in line with operational priorities and country operation plans.
Provide technical guidance to operations and Bureaux on emergency supply preparedness, contingency planning, supply structures, workforce requirements and operational readiness.
Coordinate and support emergency supply chain activities, including planning, sourcing, procurement, transport, shipping, customs clearance, warehousing, asset management and fleet management.
Ensure effective coordination with SMS on the use of Global Stocks and other supply mechanisms in support of emergency operations, including warehouse/shipping network (and other modalities if/when applicable).
Maintain an up-to-date overview of regional and country-level supply chain capacity, including partners' capacity, to ensure readiness for emergency response.
Support the design and implementation of sourcing strategies to ensure timely, cost-effective and quality supply of goods and services.
Identify and address operatio
Benefits
Vision insuranceEquity / stock options
Additional Information
Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.
Deadline for Applications
June 12, 2026
Hardship Level
H (no hardship)
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
PR4
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date
2026-05-26
Standard Job Description
Head of Emergency Supply Unit
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In view of the increased emergency preparedness and response needs, for both refugee and IDP situations, in the context of complex humanitarian operations where UNHCR's leadership and coordination role is increasingly important, UNHCR's emergency capabilities have been adjusted and reinforced in keeping with today's emergency environments. The Community-Based Protection approach, the new Refugee Coordination Model, and UNHCR's commitments under the IASC Transformative Agenda and L2/L3 emergency protocols underpin the Organization's emergency coordination, preparedness and response.
To keep abreast with these new challenges, the Supply Management Service (SMS) under the Division of Emergency and Programme Support (DEPS) reviewed its emergency response capacities and enhanced its emergency unit with a view to contribute to building a more robust and predictable emergency response and organizational preparedness based on effective leadership and coordination at senior level.
The incumbent will be based in Budapest, the unit will form part of one of the Emergency Surge Teams based and coordinated from the Emergency Services in DEPS Geneva. The members in the Emergency Surge Teams are on permanent standby for emergency deployment. The Head of the Emergency Supply Unit will be deployed with the team, or individually, to prepare and respond to refugee and/or IDP emergencies and provide coordination and operational support to the UNHCR Representative in the country or region, who will continue to manage the relations with the host government and oversee the operation. When not deployed the incumbent will support the coordination of emergency supply response being provided by Supply Management Service.
The incumbent will work closely with the Regional Bureaux, the Country Operations, and the other Divisions and familiarise him/herself with the operations in their region through field missions and will carry out capacity building and emergency simulation activities in the region and support emergency supply training activities, as required. In an IDP operation where the cluster approach is activated, the incumbent may assist in the coordination of the supply cluster at national/regional level.
While reporting directly to the to the Chief of Logistics and Emergency Supply Section of SMS, the incumbent will retain dotted reporting lines to the Emergency Services in DEPS Geneva. When deployed on an emergency, the incumbent will receive specific ToRs for the mission, including reporting lines during the deployment.
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.
Unhcr · Budapest (gsc), Hungary