The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continues to play a vital role in protecting and assisting people forced to flee conflict, persecution, and disasters around the world.
With global displacement at record levels, the effectiveness of humanitarian operations depends not only on protection and advocacy, but also on strong, accountable, and responsive supply chain systems. In this context, UNHCR has announced an important opportunity for experienced supply chain professionals: the position of Senior Supply Assistant (GS5), based in Brasília, Brazil.
This temporary full-time role, running from 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026, offers a unique chance to contribute directly to UNHCR’s humanitarian response in one of Latin America’s most complex and dynamic refugee-hosting environments. For professionals with experience in logistics, procurement, warehousing, and asset management—particularly those familiar with UN or international organization settings—this position represents both a meaningful career step and an opportunity to make a tangible impact on people’s lives.
UNHCR and Its Mission in Brazil
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international efforts to protect people forced to flee wars, violence, and persecution. With nearly 19,000 staff working across 137 countries, UNHCR delivers life-saving assistance such as shelter, food, water, and protection services to millions of displaced people worldwide.
Brazil has emerged as a key country of asylum in the region. It currently hosts over 795,000 refugees and people in need of international protection, the majority of whom are Venezuelans. Since 2018, Brazil’s federal government, together with UNHCR and partners, has implemented Operation Welcome, a comprehensive response focused on reception and documentation, shelter and humanitarian assistance, and voluntary internal relocation. As of September 2024, more than 144,000 Venezuelans have been relocated to around 1,000 municipalities across the country.
In addition to Venezuelans, Brazil has seen significant arrivals of Afghan refugees, Cubans, Haitians, Syrians, and Ukrainians, among others. Climate-related emergencies, such as the severe floods in Rio Grande do Sul in April 2024, have further increased humanitarian needs. Within this complex operational environment, efficient supply chain management is essential to ensure that assistance reaches people in need in a timely, transparent, and accountable manner.
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About the Senior Supply Assistant Role
The Senior Supply Assistant is part of UNHCR’s General Service category (GS5) and is classified as a temporary assignment with no expectation of renewal. The position is based in Brasília, categorized under Hardship Level A (least hardship), and is open to Brazilian citizens or candidates legally present in Brazil at the time of application and appointment.
Reporting to a higher-level supply position, such as the Assistant Supply Officer, the incumbent plays a key role in supporting end-to-end supply chain operations within UNHCR’s area of responsibility. While routine tasks are handled independently, more complex issues are addressed under the guidance of a supervisor. The role involves close collaboration with UNHCR colleagues, other UN agencies, NGOs, government partners, and commercial contractors.
At its core, the position exists to ensure that UNHCR’s material resources—ranging from emergency relief items to office assets—are managed efficiently, responsibly, and in line with UN regulations and policies.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
The scope of work for the Senior Supply Assistant is broad and operationally critical. Core responsibilities include:
- Supporting supply chain activities in compliance with UNHCR rules and procedures to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of goods and services to persons of concern.
- Applying UNHCR’s sourcing and procurement strategies when planning purchases of key commodities and services.
- Managing customs clearance processes, including drafting exemption requests and liaising with local clearing agents.
- Supporting warehouse operations, including stock management, planning deliveries, and providing updates on item availability.
- Maintaining accurate records of supply activities and producing periodic and ad hoc reports for management.
- Reviewing purchase requests to ensure compliance with established standards and liaising with requesting units as needed.
- Preparing quotation requests, tenders, bid analyses, and purchase orders, and following up on the delivery of approved orders.
- Providing visibility on procurement activities within the area of responsibility.
- Supporting asset and fleet management, including registration, physical verification, reporting, and disposal of Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE).
- Maintaining accurate data in UNHCR business systems and compiling supply chain statistics to support informed decision-making.
- Identifying and managing risks related to supply chain activities and escalating issues appropriately.
Depending on the operational context, the role may also involve tracking regional supply key performance indicators (KPIs), supporting inventory reconciliations and year-end closures, and assisting country operations with ERP and supply management systems.
Operational Importance in the Brazil Context
In Brazil’s evolving humanitarian landscape, the Senior Supply Assistant plays a particularly important role. UNHCR’s operations combine emergency response, humanitarian assistance, and longer-term integration and development-oriented programming, aligned with the Global Compact on Refugees and UNHCR’s Strategic Directions 2022–2026.
The incumbent contributes directly to the consolidation and implementation of UNHCR Brazil’s supply strategy, ensuring that operational priorities—such as emergency preparedness, refugee relocation, shelter support, and integration initiatives—are supported by robust logistics and procurement systems. Strong coordination, field experience, and inventory management expertise are essential to meet both sudden emergencies and ongoing programmatic needs.
Required Qualifications and Skills
To qualify for this position, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Education and experience:
- At least 2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or
- 1 year of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Language:
- Knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Spanish at B2 level is considered an asset.
- Functional skills:
- Computer literacy.
- Knowledge of logistics, supply planning, customs clearance, warehousing, asset and fleet management.
- Familiarity with supply chain management systems such as PeopleSoft or other ERP platforms is desirable.
Desired Candidate Profile
UNHCR is seeking candidates who demonstrate:
- Proven experience in logistics and supply chain operations, preferably within the UN system or other international organizations.
- Solid background in procurement and contract-related processes, aligned with UN policies and standards.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks under tight deadlines.
- A professional, service-oriented approach and the capacity to manage multiple responsibilities efficiently.
- Strong interpersonal and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
- An understanding of UNHCR’s procurement environment, regulations, and ethical standards is a strong advantage.
Commitment to Ethics, Diversity, and Inclusion
UNHCR places a strong emphasis on professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity. All staff members are expected to uphold the organization’s zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, discrimination, and abuse of power.
The organization actively encourages applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. Gender equality and equal career opportunities are central to UNHCR’s workforce policies.
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Recruitment Process and Important Information
Applications for this position must be submitted online through UNHCR’s Workday recruitment platform. Email or late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and may be required to complete written and/or oral assessments.
Candidates should ensure that all information provided in their application is complete, accurate, and final, as changes cannot be made after submission. UNHCR does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
Why Apply?
The Senior Supply Assistant role offers more than just a job—it is an opportunity to contribute directly to humanitarian outcomes that affect hundreds of thousands of people. By ensuring that supply chains function smoothly, ethically, and efficiently, the successful candidate will help UNHCR deliver life-saving assistance and support durable solutions for refugees and other displaced people in Brazil.
For experienced supply professionals seeking meaningful work within a respected international organization, this position represents a rewarding and impactful career opportunity.
