International Consultancy (Remote-based), Activity-Based Costing, Workload Driver Assessment and Pricing Framework, Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU), Copenhagen, Denmark

International Civil Aviation Organization; København; On-site; DKK 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

UNFPA is seeking a consultant to refresh and operationalize SCMU’s existing ABC model, conduct a workload driver assessment and develop an evidence-based pricing framework covering SCMU’s end-to-end supply chain service delivery.

The assignment will estimate SCMU’s full cost of doing business; link internal people costs, workload, staff effort and service complexity to relevant service and procurement categories.

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) provides global supply chain services to UNFPA business units, Country Offices and external partners. Its financial sustainability depends on a transparent and evidence-based approach for determining the cost of delivering these services and for ensuring that direct-cost recovery arrangements remain aligned with operational realities.

Background

JOB DESCRIPTION

The UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) provides global supply chain services to UNFPA business units, Country Offices and external partners. Its financial sustainability depends on a transparent and evidence-based approach for determining the cost of delivering these services and for ensuring that direct-cost recovery arrangements remain aligned with operational realities. In 2024, SCMU completed an Activity-Based Costing (ABC) assessment that established a structured methodology for allocating staff and non-staff costs across activities, client segments and direct-cost categories. The model informed the introduction and automation of selected procurement fees and inventory management and oversight charges, strengthening predictability, transparency and cost recovery. In 2025, SCMU completed an effort-estimation exercise across all pillars to validate how internal staff time and resources are distributed across service areas. Since the original ABC assessment, SCMU’s service portfolio, workload, staffing, governance requirements and strategic priorities have continued to evolve. The existing model therefore requires a structured refresh and further development. SCMU now intends to refresh the ABC model, undertake a forward-looking workload driver assessment and strengthen its pricing framework by linking people costs, workload, effort, service complexity and the full cost of doing business to relevant service and procurement categories. This work will support an evidence-based assessment of the implementation, performance and continuing relevance of the current fee structure, including procurement, inventory management and oversight, and Third-Party Procurement (TPP); test the adequacy of cost recovery and operational reserves; and inform pricing arrangements for 2027 and subsequent periodic reviews. The consultant will report to the Head of Support Services, Pillar 4, SCMU, under the overall guidance of the Chief, SCMU. The assignment will be undertaken in close collaboration with SCMU Finance, Supply Chain Operations and Analytics, Pillar Heads, relevant service owners and other designated UNFPA stakeholders. A technical reference group may be established to facilitate data access, validate assumptions and review key outputs.

How You Can Make a Difference

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. 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. In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction. UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy is to refresh and operationalize SCMU’s existing ABC model, conduct a workload driver assessment and develop an evidence-based pricing framework covering SCMU’s end-to-end supply chain service delivery. The assignment will estimate SCMU’s full cost of doing business; link internal people costs, workload, staff effort and service complexity to the relevant service and procurement categories; assess the implementation, adequacy and performance of the current fee structure, including procurement, inventory management and oversight, and the TPP operating and pricing model; undertake relevant market and institutional benchmarking; assess the revenue required to sustain operations and maintain an appropriate reserve; and recommend differentiated, evidence-based cost-recovery and pricing arrangements for implementation in 2027.

The assignment will build on the existing