Health Supply Chain Management Specialist (Oncology)

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is committed to helping Uzbekistan build a modern, prosperous, democratic society, based on responsive government systems, people prepared for future challenges and opportunities, and an inclusive green economy. UNDP first became active in Uzbekistan in 1993, and has over subsequent decades implemented hundreds of projects alongside the national government, business, civil society and academic. We are proud to be both Uzbekistan’s primary development partner and a leading member of the UN Family. Through the continued trust of the Government of Uzbekistan, close collaboration with our fellow UN agencies and the support of national and international donors, UNDP has helped build Uzbekistan’s market economy, modernize its government, and improve the lives of its most vulnerable citizens. In addition, UNDP has helped Uzbekistan tackle some of the most prominent ecological and environmental challenges it has faced over past years. The directions of UNDP’s work in Uzbekistan reflect the current UN Country Programme Document (CPD) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2021-2025. They also align with the national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the 2030 Agenda, and Uzbekistan’s Development Strategy for 2017-2021. Throughout 2020 UNDP helped address the national health and socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is continuing to actively assist in Uzbekistan’s inclusive, green recovery.

Context

Cancer care is one of the most visible priorities of Uzbekistan's health reform. Over 100,000 oncological patients are officially registered, incidence is rising, and early-stage detection remains low (around 30% for the most common cancers), while the availability of oncology medicines has repeatedly drawn public and presidential attention. Presidential Resolution No. PQ-238 of 24 June 2026 established a comprehensive National Cancer Control Program, launching on 1 January 2027 in Samarkand region and rolling out nationwide through 2030, with a three-category classification of anti-tumor medicines, a state guarantee of uninterrupted supply of essential (Category 1) medicines, a new NCD Fund under the State Medical Insurance Fund, and ambitious 2035 targets for screening coverage, early detection, five-year survival and mortality reduction. PQ-238 designates UNDP as the Government's partner for oncology supply chain management: from 1 January 2027, medicines, consumables, reagents and medical equipment for cancer diagnosis and treatment are to be procured in cooperation with UNDP and delivered to the regions based on patient numbers, dosage needs, treatment duration, existing stock and demographics. This builds on Resolution No. PP-408 of 29 November 2024, under which the Procurement Center of the Ministry of Health and UNDP jointly implement a project on the procurement, storage, delivery and digitalization of the medicines supply chain. The UN Volunteer will be embedded in the UNDP Health Governance Project team in Tashkent and will support the implementation of this mandate, working closely with the Ministry of Health, the Procurement Center, the State Medical Insurance Fund and development partners, including WHO. The assignment offers first-hand experience in a high-visibility, presidentially mandated health reform combining international procurement, supply chain strengthening and digital health.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager of the UNDP Health Governance Project , the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Support the planning and implementation of the procurement of oncology medicines, medical consumables, laboratory reagents and medical equipment under the National Cancer Control Program (Presidential Resolution No. PQ-238 of 24 June 2026), in line with UNDP rules, regulations, policies and quality assurance requirements; 2. Contribute to joint quantification and demand forecasting exercises with the Ministry of Health and the Procurement Center, including verification and triangulation of patient, consumption and stock data before purchase orders are placed, with particular attention to the pilot phase in Samarkand region; 3. Support market analysis, supplier engagement and demand aggregation across therapeutic categories and years, including the preparation of multi-year framework agreements and the use of UNDP long-term agreements and international procurement channels; 4. Assist the project and national counterparts in advancing an expedited, reliance-based registration pathway for a defined priority list of oncology medicines (drawing on WHO prequalification and stringent regulatory authority approvals), ensuring that registration lead times are reflected in procurement plans; 5. Support quality assurance and logistics arrangements for oncology commodities, including verification of cold chain and warehousing capacity, FEFO-based distribution planning, and the application of oncology-specific quality assurance criteria and documented clearance gates before purchase orders are issued; 6. Contribute to the institutional strengthening of the Procurement Center under the Ministry of Health and its regional branches, including the development of standard operating procedures, forecasting tools, training activities and staffing profiles for forecasting, quality control and inventory management; 7. Support linkages between the oncology supply chain workstream and UNDP's digital health portfolio, including digital solutions for stock monitoring and the future “Cancer-Register” forecasting system; 8. Support coordination, monitoring and reporting under the project workplan: prepare analytical briefs, presentations, progress reports and meeting materials for the Ministry of Health, the State Medical Insurance Fund (NCD Fund), the donor and other partners, including WHO; 9. Contribute to knowledge management and visibility of project results, and document lessons learned from the Samarkand pilot to inform the nationwide rollout of the National Cancer Control Program through 2030; 10. Promote volunteerism and contribute to the integration of volunteerism into development programming, and perform other related duties as may be required by the supervisor.

Competencies and values

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Client Orientation Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Ethics and Values Integrity Judgement and Decision-making Knowledge Sharing Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Technological Awareness Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarks

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is a family duty station with generally good living conditions. The city is considered safe, with a wide range of accommodation options, international and local restaurants, supermarkets, banks, medical facilities, sports facilities and cultural venues. Public transport (metro and buses) and taxi services, including ride-hailing applications, are widely available and affordable. The climate is continental, with hot and dry summers (up to +40°C) and relatively cold winters (down to –10°C). Uzbek is the state language; Russian is widely spoken in Tashkent, and English is increasingly used. Tashkent is well connected internationally through Tashkent International Airport. The national currency is the Uzbek soum (UZS); bank cards are accepted in most large shops and hotels, and ATMs are widely available. Mobile communication and internet services are reliable. Foreign citizens are required to register with the local authorities upon arrival, which will be facilitated by UNDP.