Photo and story reproduced with permission from the UN Intranet iSeek, first published there on 19 October 2022.

The Sustainable Development Goals are at the heart of our Organization.

Ensuring that global supply chains align with the SDGs and the UN Secretariat Climate Action Plan is a key priority for the Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM).

Our goal is to leave a positive legacy in the local communities where we operate. A renewable energy global system contracts portfolio and category management strategy are important tools that will help achieve this.

To accelerate the use of renewable energy in field operations, OSCM engineers work closely with the category teams who specialize in business areas like transportation, security, food, fuel, facilities, and infrastructure.

They provide innovative business solutions that meet the unique needs of field entities.

Over the years, OSCM has expanded the renewable energy global system contracts portfolio. It gives field entities new options, including turnkey solutions. Seven of the forty engineering-related system contracts now provide renewable energy solutions for lighting, power generation, and water treatment.

“Focusing on categories of spend has transformed how we plan and work,” says AnneMarie van den Berg, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Supply Chain Management.

“Strategies for discreet categories allow us to shape our supply chains to achieve the wider goals of delivering responsible solutions to our clients that include environmental considerations pertinent to the specific category.”

Global systems contracts allow entities to acquire renewable energy solutions quickly, without extensive research or lengthy procurement processes and lead times for delivery.

They guarantee quality products, as well as lower costs and risks.                           

“These contracts are a result of continuous collaboration among the Engineering Support Section, category management teams, and the Environmental Section within field entities,” says Maurizia Calo, Officer-in-Charge, Logistics Division.

“They are designed to be flexible and address different needs, and to provide a suite of support solutions for faster implementation. Their use will greatly diminish our carbon footprints.”  

Learn more:

• Read about Renewable Energy Global System Contracts and Category Management

• UN System Contracts Summary Report (updated monthly) can be accessed here. (iSeek access required)

Office of Supply Chain Management is situated within the Department of Operational Support (DOS).