ELISABETH ECKERSTRÖM
Summary
Global Procurement & Supply Chain Leader | Multilateral Systems | Governance | Risk & Compliance
Strategic procurement leader with 25+ years of experience directing global procurement and supply chain operations across 150+ countries. Expertise in building procurement governance frameworks, leading complex sourcing in high-risk environments, and driving organizational reform in large, multi-country institutions. Proven ability to set procurement strategy, manage compliance with major donor regulations (EU, EIB, IDB, ADB, Global Fund), strengthen internal controls, and build capacity across decentralized teams. Adept at leading cross-functional change, implementing digital procurement tools, and ensuring transparent, ethical, and audit-ready operations in humanitarian, development, and crisis settings.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Office of Procurement (D1)
UN Development Programme (UNDP)
06.2021 - Current
- Lead global procurement function delivering USD 2.8B annually across 150 countries.
- Direct strategic procurement reform, strengthening governance, transparency, accountability, and fraud controls.
- Oversee 100 staff and provide technical leadership to 1,000+ decentralized buyers worldwide.
- Manage global procurement policy, systems, templates, controls, and compliance frameworks.
- Negotiate major donor agreements (EU, EIB, IDB, ADB, Global Fund) with strong focus on regulatory compliance.
- Established the Global Health Supply Center, modernizing UNDP's health procurement and supply chain.
- Lead global training, certification, and capacity-building programmes for UNDP staff and government counterparts.
- Represent UNDP in UN-wide procurement reform initiatives, harmonization efforts, and risk governance committees.
Head, Procurement Division (P5)
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Led organization-wide procurement with full responsibility for policy, compliance, systems, and strategic sourcing.
- Implemented new Procurement Manual and complete regulatory framework overhaul.
- Directed team of 8 and acted as senior adviser for procurement governance, donor rules, and risk mitigation.
- Modernized procurement processes, strengthened controls, and enhanced vendor management systems.
Chief Procurement Officer (P5)
UN Office at Nairobi (UNON)
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Managed all procurement for UNON and global procurement support for UNEP and UN-Habitat.
- Oversaw high-risk procurements including emergency housing, construction, energy, and global consultancy services.
- Supported compliance for numerous out-posted offices; delivered policy guidance and staff training globally.
Chief, Procurement Management Section (P5)
UN Secretariat
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Managed 25 staff across IT, general administration, and vendor registration.
- Strengthened internal controls, implemented procurement reform, and drafted reports to legislative bodies.
- Reengineered business processes and guided procurement policy updates.
Team Leader, Infrastructure Support (P4)
UN Secretariat
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Supervised procurement of complex infrastructure categories (construction, security equipment, leases).
- Supported global clients and built internal controls for high-value projects.
Procurement Specialist (P4 equiv.)
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Reviewed and approved procurement for IDB-funded government projects; enforced donor rules.
- Conducted field compliance assessments across Bolivian provinces; delivered policy guidance to ministries.
- Operated entirely in Spanish.
Chief Procurement Officer (P3)
UNTSO
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Managed full procurement for UNTSO and UNSCO, advising senior management and overseeing field sourcing.
Head, Procurement Unit (P3)
World Food Programme (WFP)
01.2002 - 01.2003
- Oversaw procurement for 10 sub-offices in high-risk post-conflict context, sourcing local and international food and NFIs.
Procurement Officer (P2)
World Food Programme (WFP)
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Managed global IT procurement and emergency operations sourcing; negotiated complex telecoms contracts.
Education
LLM - International Commercial Law
Northumbria University
UKMSc - Mechanical Engineering – Industrial
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
SwedenSkills
- Global Procurement Governance & Strategy
- Donor Compliance and Internal UN Compliance
- Procurement Systems, Digital Tools & Controls
- Risk Management, Anti-Fraud & Due Diligence
- Cross-Country Capacity Building & Team Leadership
- Vendor Management, Market Analysis & Sourcing
- Policy Development, Manuals & SOP Creation
- Change Management & Organizational Reform
Languages
Swedish (native)
English (fluent)
Spanish (fluent)
French (advanced)
Timeline
Director, Office of Procurement (D1)
UN Development Programme (UNDP)
06.2021 - Current
Head, Procurement Division (P5)
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
01.2016 - 01.2021
Chief Procurement Officer (P5)
UN Office at Nairobi (UNON)
01.2011 - 01.2016
Chief, Procurement Management Section (P5)
UN Secretariat
01.2009 - 01.2011
Team Leader, Infrastructure Support (P4)
UN Secretariat
01.2007 - 01.2009
Procurement Specialist (P4 equiv.)
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
01.2006 - 01.2007
Chief Procurement Officer (P3)
UNTSO
01.2003 - 01.2006
Head, Procurement Unit (P3)
World Food Programme (WFP)
01.2002 - 01.2003
Procurement Officer (P2)
World Food Programme (WFP)
01.1999 - 01.2002
MSc - Mechanical Engineering – Industrial
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
LLM - International Commercial Law
Northumbria University