The Supply Chain Service (SCS) is a trusted partner in providing comprehensive supply chain services and support to a diverse and growing number of United Nations operations globally. With a commitment to supporting clients and partners in their mandate implementation, the Service specializes in delivering wide-ranging support in the sphere of engineering, transport, global asset and environmental management.
Whether assistance is needed to strengthen existing supply chain capacities, provide ad-hoc crisis response, or during the start-up or liquidation stage of an operation, the team provides comprehensive support, on the ground or remotely.
Our portfolio of ISO 9001 certified services is designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of UN operations. Our teams go beyond traditional support by actively developing innovative and tailored solutions to help meet complex requirements in often very challenging environments, and facilitate the transition to more sustainable operations globally, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Service is committed to enhancing circularity in its operations, striving to minimize waste, promote resource efficiency and maximize the reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of resources.
| UN Photo / Luca Nestola
Our Flagship Initiatives
Environmental Management Support
Technical advice and support for risk assessments, monitoring, safe clean-up activities, water and waste management solutions, and renewable energy transition.
Our environmental experts provide operational support, as well as tailored advisory services, to improve missions’ environmental monitoring capabilities and performance in the areas of energy, water, wastewater, and solid waste management, in line with the UN DOS Environment Strategy for Peace Operations. The team has supported numerous field operations with the implementation of renewable energy projects; management and elimination of wastewater and hazardous waste risks; design of mission-specific multi-year infrastructure project plans, as well as technical guidance and training.
Engineering Turnkey Solutions
Expertise and support throughout the entire lifecycle of a project, from conceptualization to its successful completion.
We provide comprehensive and customized engineering services for clients worldwide, whether it’s a complex construction endeavor, Field Remote Infrastructure Monitoring (FRIM) platform integration, tailored renewable energy, or an innovation project. Our team of engineers will help transform a client’s vision into reality by providing end-to-end project management and technical expertise, or more narrowly focused support such as business case development; feasibility studies; development of solicitation documents; and on-site technical assessments and support.
Supply Network Management
Optimizing the utilization of resources, while minimizing waste and environmental impact of UN operations.
Supply Network Management capability is dedicated to optimizing the fulfillment of material requirements to clients through an intricate supply network consisting of the Strategic Deployment Solutions (SDS), UN Reserve, and assets from the 3R (Return-Refurbish-Reuse) Program in Brindisi, as well as regionally positioned stock and surplus identified at field locations. Apart from providing visibility over global assets and inventory and ensuring fit for purpose goods are received where and when needed, this capability safeguards sustainable and responsible resource utilization with minimized waste and environmental impact.
Material Life Cycle Management
Effective and efficient utilization of materials and assets.
Our teams work with field operations across the globe to support oversight and operational governance over material management, preventative maintenance of equipment, and spare parts management. Services offered include development of assets replacement plans, assets health checks, technical reviews and approvals of preliminary asset disposal plans, asset categorization, inspections, and disposal plans. This vital capability supports and promotes efficient resource use, cost savings, environmental responsibility, safety, compliance, and accountability of UN field operations aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The 3R (Return-Refurbish-Reuse) Program
Giving assets a new life through circular supply chain, in alignment with SDG 13.
Through the Program, we identify unused, under-utilized, or surplus assets of high-acquisition value with decreasing productivity, and preferably low-utilization, which are then refurbished and made available for use where needed. The 3R Program is dedicated to the complete life cycle management of assets, ensuring a maximum return on investment and environmental stewardship. Its effectiveness was demonstrated during the liquidation of the United Nations African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), with the Return of 103 pieces of heavy equipment to UNGSC for Refurbishment and subsequent Reuse by other entities.
https://www.ungsc.org/news/sustainable-supply-chains-giving-assets-second-life
Our Services
Under the guidance of the Office of Supply Chain Management within the United Nations
Department of Operational Support, the UNGSC Supply Chain Service focuses on innovation and
engineering support; supply network management; global material life cycle management; and
warehouse and distribution activities. Our services can be tailored to meet different requirements
and provided both on-site and remotely.
Planning & Sourcing Services
Strategic Asset Management Services
Provision of optimized sourcing solutions to clients throughout the organizational life cycle and during humanitarian emergencies and crisis, utilizing a supply network consisting of the global hub in Brindisi, Italy, and a regional hub in Entebbe, Uganda.
Services include the optimization of inbound logistics planning; purchasing; fulfilment of requests for assets through entity transfers; management of United Nations Reserve Stock, and Strategic Deployment Solutions, and coordination of specialized goods categories such as blood, accoutrements, and vaccines.
International Crisis Response
We work with UN System entities and partners to support crisis response operations.
Examples include support to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other partners at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine; global distribution of medical supplies and vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic; supporting operations in Haiti with provision of supplies through the Strategic Deployment Solutions; assistance to the World Health Organization (WHO) following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, or the dispatch of temporary accommodation and personal protection equipment to Sudan in 2023.
Solutions Factory
This capability supports innovation and strives to deliver new approaches and technologies to meet the complex and changing needs of clients.
The team works closely with academia and UN partners to facilitate research and collaboration, while supporting clients in the management of projects and initiatives from inception to implementation stage.
For example, the team inspects assets and validates innovation proposals which are then designed, developed, and tested prior to deployment to a client. The team developed a containerized PV system which allows quick deployment and use of solar energy in locations where a fixed installation is not feasible.
Engineering Services and Turnkey Solutions
Provision of comprehensive and customized engineering services for clients worldwide.
Services include feasibility studies; functional analysis; ad-hoc design development and cost analysis/estimation; business case development; revision of solicitation documents; on-site technical assessments; on ground technical support; renewable energy and technological innovation; Field Remote Infrastructure Monitoring (FRIM) platform integration, as well as coordination and management support of (third party) turnkey project solutions.
Environmental Technical Services
Provision of comprehensive, agile solutions to enhance environmental sustainability and operational efficiency.
Services include the application of industry best practice in the planning, design, development, and implementation of energy, water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure projects, environmental cleanup activities, and hazardous waste management.
Our teams also provide environmental monitoring (including impact assessments, rapid environmental assessments, and baseline studies) and customized tools and templates. Technical support can be provided for periods ranging from a week to a couple of months.
Our services support clients in the achievement of environmental performance objectives, minimizing risk and cost reduction.
Delivery & Return Services
Smart Warehousing Services
Provision of comprehensive warehouse innovation technology and support services, including warehouse layout design; shelves installation, and the deployment of SMART warehouse technologies.
Our teams leverage technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Near-Field Communication (NFC), container and vehicles tracking sensors, and augmented reality to optimize warehouse operations for clients.
Expertise extends to inbound planning and receiving; inspection; storage; dispatch; shipping management; oversight of physical stocks in Brindisi and Vendor Managed Inventories (VMI), and the coordination of outbound shipments.
Remote Property Management Services
Provision of assistance and guidance in remote property management, which includes monitoring and oversight; annual physical verification; write-off and disposal; annual financial reporting; data reconciliation and data consistency maintenance for serialized equipment and fixed assets.
Amongst other clients, our team currently supports 136 Regional Coordinator Offices of the Resident Coordinator System and 124 Field Offices of the UN Department of Safety and Security.
Strategic Deployment Solutions (SDS)
The Strategic Deployment Solutions (SDS) is a rapidly deployable capability that supports clients in a variety of scenarios, from the initial start-up to crisis response, enabling clients to sustain and adapt their operations in the face of complex circumstances and emergencies.
The inventory includes office and accommodation prefabricated buildings; environmentally responsible camp infrastructure systems; multiple vehicle categories; medical equipment and consumables; communication and information technology equipment, and general supply commodities.
Enabling Services
Liquidation Support
Provision of comprehensive support during the process of downsizing and liquidation of operations. This comprises asset and inventory management support, identification of surplus assets and subsequent transfer or disposal.
Our team also provides environmental clean-up and restoration services, and contractual advice. In the case of the United Nations African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) we supported the transfer of 195 tons of water treatment products to local water administration authorities, as well as the treatment and disposal of over 14 tons of hazardous chemicals.
Contract Management and Client Services
Provision of support, guidance, training, and operational tools to enable clients to effectively monitor and manage contractor performance.
Services include the management of the Instant Feedback System (IFS) and Contract Performance Reporting Tool (CPRT), and the presentation of integrated data and analytics to track performance, establish adequate oversight and identify trends.
Additional support can be provided in facilitate information-sharing for cross-functional business decisions, improved planning, transparency, and visibility across the end-to-end supply chain.
Training Coordination Services
Provision of on-site, online and hybrid learning opportunities such as training courses, seminars, retreats, and specialized certification programs and courses on supply chain management; energy, water, wastewater, and waste management; and United Nations Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), among many others.
Our Certifications
| UN Photo / Luca Nestola
SDS Catalogue
The Strategic Deployment Stocks (SDS) catalogue is a list of materials and service capabilities maintained at the United Nations Logistics Base in Brindisi, Italy. Through its rapid deployment capacity, SDS has been providing vital support to new and established UN field operations. The current SDS composition comprises 323-line items available from seven business areas.