Optimization Specialist

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Supply Chain Optimization Specialist
TYPE OF CONTRACT: CST level I
UNIT/DIVISION: SCDO / Supply Chain Planning & Optimization
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Rome, Italy
DURATION: 6 months 
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
With growing humanitarian needs far outpacing increases in funding, better planning is critical to 
improve WFP’s efficiency and ability to operate in an environment with frequent supply chain 
disruptions. To that end, WFP has established a team of experts in Supply Chain Planning & 
Optimization (SPOs) that apply best practices in supply chain management and advanced analytics 
to humanitarian operations, using their unique expertise to develop integrated sourcing and delivery 
plans, provide operational foresight in support of data-driven decision-making, and optimize 
operational design, both for WFP operations and those of its partners. SPOs share a cross-functional 
knowledge of operations, enabling end-to-end supply chain planning and increased coordination 
across functions. By automating complex data crunching and reconciliation across units and systems, 
SPOs allow key staff to better manage their time and focus on more value-added tasks, such as 
analyzing various planning scenarios, and alerting on issues and potential risks.
The Supply Chain Optimization Specialist will be supporting the global SPO network
by designing, developing, and improving mathematical optimization models powering 
planning tools such as Scout. The role focuses on translating supply chain problems into scalable 
optimization formulations and ensuring robust, high-performing solutions for operational decisionmaking.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Design, develop, and maintain optimization models (e.g., network planning, routing, 
allocation, inventory positioning) for tools such as Scout and Optimus.
2. Collaborate with data engineers and product developers to integrate optimization models into 
production systems.
3. Conduct scenario analysis and sensitivity testing to support decision-making under 
uncertainty. 
4. Continuously improve solution approaches through model tuning, decomposition techniques, 
and heuristics. 
5. Document models, assumptions, and limitations for transparency and reuse.
6. Support the application, rollout, and configuration of analytical solutions to new operations 
(of WFP or its partners).
7. Develop and maintain new solutions (e.g. dashboards, optimization tools, forecasting tools) 
leveraging a range of techniques including data transformation and visualization, statistics, 
machine learning models and optimization algorithms.
8. Deep-dive on business requirements with relevant teams (data owners, field users, 
stakeholders, etc.) to understand data availability, business drivers (KPIs), and evaluate 
further optimization opportunities.
Docusign Envelope ID: C0F4A353-79D1-8736-836D-5E1370C870DA
TERMS OF REFERENCE 
FOR SHORT-TERM/CONSULTANCY CONTRACTS
 
Page 2 of 3 Last revision: 21 January 2016 
9. Coordinate closely with WFP’s Technology division to ensure compliance with corporate 
guidelines for solution development, and to stay ahead of new initiatives, investments, and 
best practices that may benefit SPO projects. 
10. Prepare in-depth, quantitative analyses to support operational and strategic decision making 
as needed.
11. Enable the adoption of best practices and advanced analytics in operations management, and 
strengthen the capacity of the client’s staff in these areas.
12. Other as required.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education: Advanced university degree in the area of Data Science, Operations Research, Supply 
Chain Management, Engineering, Business Management, or related fields.
Experience: 3+ years of relevant progressively responsible experience in the area of operation 
research and optimization modelling is required.
Experience in using analytics to support operations management (e.g. planning, 
optimizing supply chain networks, development of KPIs and visualization 
dashboards) is required.
Experience with developing analytical solutions (e.g. dashboards, optimization 
models, data transformation pipelines, machine learning models) is required.
Experience with software-development (e.g. proficiency in programming languages, 
agile methodologies, testing and deploying code, system design) is required.
Experience with typical WFP data science technology (Pandas, Spark, Palantir 
Foundry, JS, Typescript, SQL, PuLP, PyTorch, XGBoost, DARTS, etc.) is desired.
Experience with optimization tools and methods (e.g., linear programming, graph 
algorithms, heuristics) is desired.
Experience with forecasting and statistical models (e.g. regression analysis, 
clustering, random forest) is desired.
Experience in SC-related industry (e.g. supporting S&OP-type processes, material 
planning, distribution planning, procurement, shipping) is desired.
Experience with consultancy-type activities (e.g. business analysis, process mapping, 
data transformation and analysis, presenting conclusions to senior management) 
is desired.
Experience working with government or humanitarian agencies (e.g. UN, NGOs) 
is desired, particularly in the areas of technical assistance and/or capacity 
strengthening.
Knowledge
& Skills:
Highly numerate, able to rapidly analyze and interpret data.
Problem-solving attitude, able to structure ambiguous problems and solve them 
through a mix of quantitative and qualitative analyses.
Highly developed communication skills, able to use written and verbal mediums 
to communicate recommendations and influence outcomes.
Docusign Envelope ID: C0F4A353-79D1-8736-836D-5E1370C870DA
TERMS OF REFERENCE 
FOR SHORT-TERM/CONSULTANCY CONTRACTS
 
Page 3 of 3 Last revision: 21 January 2016 
Strong time management skills with an ability to plan ahead and anticipate 
requirements, problems, and obstacles.
Self-motivated and proactive, able to take initiative and work autonomously to 
achieve objectives.
Ability to juggle competing priorities successfully while working under 
(sometimes) tight deadlines.
Effective people skills, able to work both individually and in a team in a multicultural environment.
Ability to interact with senior leaders and a wide range of stakeholders with 
credibility and tact.
Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the World Food 
Programme.
Languages: You are fluent in oral and written English and have technical writing skills.
Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, French, Chinese, 
Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages) is desirable.

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Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  [email protected]

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.