Consultancy Supply Chain AI Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency focused on ensuring that every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization aims to address complex global challenges through its Strategic Plan for 2026-2029, which emphasizes resilience and renewal in response to the evolving global landscape. UNFPA's mission is pursued through four interconnected outcomes: ending unmet needs for family planning, preventing maternal deaths, eliminating gender-based violence, and adapting to demographic changes through evidence-based policies. The Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) was operationalized in January 2022 and is self-funded, focusing on the effective delivery of life-saving reproductive health products and supplies. UNFPA seeks candidates who can inspire and deliver high-impact results while maintaining transparency and excellence in program outcomes.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is designed to provide specialized technical support for the development and operationalization of Artificial Intelligence (AI)–enabled analytics within the UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU). The consultant will work closely with the Supply Chain Orchestration and Analytics Specialist (Team Lead) to 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. The role emphasizes the application of AI solutions to enhance operational supply chain decision-making and improve the usability and analytical value of Control Tower data. The consultant will be responsible for designing and developing AI-enabled analytical capabilities, integrating AI with existing data architecture, and developing AI use cases that support supply chain operations. This position requires a full-time commitment over a duration of 11 months, with services delivered on-site monthly, aligned with the development phases of the Control Tower.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will focus on several key areas:

• AI Enablement for the Supply Chain Control Tower: This includes supporting the design and development of AI-enabled analytical capabilities, such as conversational access to supply chain data, automated analytical insights, AI-assisted identification of supply chain risks, and the development of analytical support tools for procurement, shipping, and inventory management teams.
• Integration of AI with Control Tower Data Architecture: The consultant will work with the SCOA and IT Solutions Office teams to ensure proper integration of AI capabilities with existing SCMU data systems, supporting the design of data pipelines and ensuring compatibility with various datasets.
• Development of AI Use Cases for Supply Chain Operations: The consultant will assist in developing AI use cases that support operational decision-making, including procurement pipeline monitoring, shipment tracking, inventory risk alerts, and forecasting.
• Development of AI Prototypes and Analytical Tools: The consultant will design and develop AI-enabled analytical tools and prototypes that demonstrate practical value for SCMU operations, including natural language query interfaces and predictive analytics models.
• Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Development: The consultant will support SCMU in building internal capacity to utilize AI-enabled analytics, including developing guidance materials, supporting training sessions, and documenting AI models and tools.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Information Systems, Supply Chain Analytics, or a related field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree if combined with additional years of relevant professional experience. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in artificial intelligence or machine learning applications, data analytics, and data engineering. Experience in operational or supply chain environments is highly desirable, along with knowledge of data governance, responsible AI, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">information security principles. Proficiency in analytical tools such as Power BI, Python, or similar environments is essential, as is the ability to integrate APIs and manage data across diverse platforms.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Information Systems, Supply Chain Analytics, or a related area is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) combined with additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning applications, data analytics, and data engineering. Experience in developing AI-enabled analytical tools and working within cloud-based data environments is required. Proven ability to design and maintain data pipelines and handle large-scale operational datasets is essential, along with experience in integrating APIs across diverse platforms.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. A working knowledge of any other UN official language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for the role.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is a full-time position with a total duration of 11 months. Services will be delivered on-site monthly, with a working schedule agreed upon through an approved work plan that includes periodic milestones aligned with Control Tower development phases. UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, encouraging applications from individuals of various backgrounds, including women, LGBTQIA+ community members, minority ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request.