Consultancy, Supply Chain AI Specialist, Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU), Copenhagen, Denmark

The Position:

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide specialized technical support for the development and operationalization of Artificial Intelligence (AI)–enabled analytics within the UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU), particularly supporting the Supply Chain Orchestration and Analytics (SCOA) Hub and the UNFPA Supply Chain Control Tower.

Under the overall supervision and the technical guidance of the Supply Chain Orchestration and Analytics Specialist (Team Lead), the Individual Consultant will provide technical advisory and implementation support for the development of AI-enabled analytical capabilities within the UNFPA Supply Chain Control Tower and related SCMU data platforms.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2026-2029), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

The UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) is self-funded and was made operational in January 2022. It is tasked with ensuring that UNFPA is able to effectively and efficiently support the delivery of life-saving reproductive health products and other programme supplies to the end user when and where they are needed. To achieve this, it is important to strengthen the capacity of governments and implementing partners to ensure coordination, end-to-end visibility and accountability on all supply chain and logistics management related activities, in particular for programme supplies, across all UNFPA programmes.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

You would be responsible for:

The consultant will focus on applied AI solutions that strengthen operational supply chain decision support and improve the usability and analytical value of Control Tower data. The Consultant will be responsible for the following areas: 

A. AI Enablement for the Supply Chain Control Tower

• Support the design and development of AI-enabled analytical capabilities within the Control Tower platform, including:
• Conversational access to supply chain data through natural language queries.
• Automated analytical insights derived from Control Tower datasets.
• AI-assisted identification of supply chain risks such as delays, stock-outs, or shipment disruptions. 
• Development of analytical support tools for procurement, shipping, and inventory management teams.
• Collaboration with SCMU stakeholders to translate operational supply chain questions into AI-enabled analytical workflows.
• Development of prototypes and pilot tools demonstrating how AI can enhance the use of Control Tower data.

B. Integration of AI with Control Tower Data Architecture

• Work with SCOA and IT Solutions Office (ITSO) teams to ensure AI capabilities are properly integrated with existing SCMU data systems and analytical platforms. Activities include:
• Supporting the design of data pipelines enabling AI interaction with Control Tower datasets.
• Ensuring compatibility with datasets including procurement pipelines, shipment tracking information, inventory monitoring data, and country supply chain performance indicators.
• Supporting the development of AI as an analytical layer that complements existing dashboards and systems rather than replacing them.
• Ensuring alignment with UNFPA data governance, digital strategy, and IT security frameworks.

C. Development of AI Use Cases for Supply Chain Operations

Support the identification, prioritization, and development of AI use cases that directly support supply chain operations. This includes applications such as:

• Procurement pipeline monitoring
• Shipment tracking and delay detection
• Inventory risk alerts and stock-out prediction
• Forecasting and supply planning support
• Country supply chain performance analysis

The Consultant will work with SCMU functional teams (procurement, shipping, inventory management) to design practical AI-assisted workflows that support operational decision-making.

D. Development of AI Prototypes and Analytical Tools

Design and develop AI-enabled analytical tools and working prototypes that demonstrate practical value for SCMU operations. Activities include:

• Development of natural language query interfaces for Control Tower data.
• AI-driven insight generation tools.
• Predictive analytics models supporting supply chain risk detection.
• AI-assisted reporting tools supporting SCMU management and country offices.

Prototypes should be designed to allow scalability and alignment with UNFPA IT architecture and governance requirements.

E. Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Development

Support SCMU in coordination with ITSO in building internal capacity to utilize AI-enabled analytics. Activities include:

• Development of guidance materials on AI-supported analytical workflows.
• Support training sessions for Control Tower users.
• Documentation of AI models, analytical tools, and data structures.

Contribution to building internal data literacy and AI readiness within SCMU and the broader UNFPA supply chain community. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• An advanced degree (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Information Systems, Supply Chain Analytics, or related areas is required. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in artificial intelligence or machine learning applications, data analytics and data engineering, development of AI-enabled analytical tools, data architecture and cloud-based data environments, development of analytical models and data-driven applications or related areas is required. Candidates with demonstrated experience in the below key areas, with the understanding that these experiences may overlap will be an asset:
  • Experience applying AI within operational or supply chain environments is highly desirable.
  • Experience working with international organizations or development sector supply chains is considered an asset.
  • Knowledge of data governance, responsible AI, and information security principles is desirable.
• Experience required in designing and maintaining data pipelines and working within cloud-based data environments. 
• Proven ability to integrate APIs and manage data across diverse platforms.
• Proficiency in analytical tools such as Power BI, Python, or similar environments is essential. 
• Demonstrated experience handling and analyzing large-scale operational datasets.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to translate operational needs into technical solutions
• Ability to collaborate across technical and operational teams
• Strong communication skills for explaining analytical solutions to non-technical stakeholders
• Collaborative working style within multidisciplinary teams 

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.