Updates
New Supply Chain Management Unit
23 Dec 2021
UNFPA is pleased to announce that, effective 1 January 2022, a new Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) will be operational, to equip UNFPA to best play its leadership role as the largest multilateral provider of contraceptives in ensuring reproductive health commodity security.
The SCMU will provide oversight and coordination to all Supply Chain Management (SCM)-related functions and processes across country, regional and headquarters levels. It will encompass upstream, midstream and downstream SCM functions, ensuring more effective coordination and oversight under one accountable unit, across development and humanitarian settings. The current UNFPA Procurement Services Branch will be absorbed into the new Unit without disrupting the usual channels of communication and day-to-day business operations.
It is expected that this new arrangement will result in better preparedness, reduced lead times and greater visibility over the entire supply chain to increase efficiency and reduce wastage and hidden costs.
The new SCMU will be cost-neutral and almost entirely funded through a Supply-Chain-Management fee which will ensure a business-like approach and sustained service quality.
Karen Hong is the new Chief of the Supply Chain Management Unit. For information about the new Unit, please contact her at supplychain@unfpa.org.
