The United Nations (UN) Secretariat purchases approximately USD2.7 billion worth of goods and services annually.

The scope and magnitude of the UN Secretariat’s procurement and supply chain management operations will be in the spotlight in an informative workshop and a not-to-be-missed presentation at the upcoming 2022 SAPICS Conference.

Now in its 44th successful year, the annual SAPICS Conference is Africa’s leading knowledge sharing and networking event for supply chain professionals. Hosted by SAPICS, The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management, it takes place from 12 to 15 June 2022 at Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town, South Africa.

“If you have ever wondered how UN supply chains operate, where you can find information about potential business and career opportunities in the organisation, and how to register as a UN supplier, this is your chance to find out more,” says SAPICS president MJ Schoemaker.

A three-hour workshop at the 2022 SAPICS Conference will give delegates an overview of the UN procurement process, information on the goods and services most frequently purchased, and the steps that must be taken to register as a UN supplier.  

“The final segment of the workshop will offer insights and advice to supply chain professionals interested in working with the United Nations and looking to join a dynamic and diverse supply chain team,” Schoemaker expands. “Information will be provided on the different supply chain job opportunities and the UN Secretariat recruitment process. Join us for an informative session and get your questions answered by a team of UN professionals. We are delighted to welcome Natalia Nedel, Chief, Enabling Outreach Service, to present this workshop together with colleagues, Kristina Tang and Xunan Wu, all travelling from the UN Headquarters in New York.” 

The UN’s Herbert Pechek, who won the “Best Speaker” Award at the 2019 SAPICS Conference, will return to the SAPICS Conference stage this year to discuss the latest supply chain news and developments at the UN Office of Supply Chain Management.

Pechek took part in the transformation of the UN’s complex, multidimensional peacekeeping operations into an efficient horizontal supply chain. His award-winning 2019 SAPICS presentation highlighted the logistics challenges of supporting 100 000 peacekeepers in operations around the world. At the 2019 SAPICS Conference, he shared remarkable statistics, including the fact that in 2018, UN peacekeeping produced almost five billion litres of drinking water and treated 2.2 billion litres of wastewater. Also in 2018, 28 million litres of diesel fuel and 10 million litres of jet A-1 fuel were supplied for peacekeeping missions, he noted. In addition, more than 61 million kWh of power was generated by over 220 power generation stations operated by UN peacekeeping, he said. Inventory held by UN peacekeeping in 2018 included roughly 90 000 SKUs (stock keeping units), including 29 000 SKUs of spare parts. UN peacekeepers consumed some 28 000 tons of fresh food in 2018, along with 50 000 tons of dry food and more than 2 000 tons of combat rations. The medical support provided for UN peacekeeping missions in 2018 included 487 tons of medicines and medical supplies for more than 722 000 patients and 768 UN-operated clinics.

“We are delighted to have Herbert Pechek back at the SAPICS Conference this year and value the support of this important organisation,” says Schoemaker.

Pechek is now Chief of Supply Chain Service at the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC), based in Brindisi, Italy. “In 2019 the Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM) was established within the United Nations Department of Operational Support. This was a merger of the logistics and procurement teams designed to ensure robust supply chain success,” he explains. “As one unit it manages the cost negotiations, purchasing, transportation planning and management, and global forecasting initiatives. This allows for less red-tape and a freedom to focus on fulfilling demand and enhancing organisational responsiveness. My 2022 SAPICS presentation will offer delegates a rare insight to the inner workings of the UN, which manages multiple supply chains around the world,” he reveals.

For more information or to register for the 2022 SAPICS Conference, call 011 023 6701, email info@SAPICS.org.za or visit the SAPICS Conference website https://conference.SAPICS.org