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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, innovation 

The Product Innovation Center (PIC) within Supply Division (SD) works closely with SD procurement centres, UNICEF country offices, HQ programme groups and external partners to identify product needs and then work with industry to fulfil those needs where a new or modified product will improve outcomes for children and caregivers. PIC develops product profiles, influences the industry to accelerate R&D and helps drive demand for scale-up and adoption while addressing issues of access, affordability and value for money of products, ultimately improving the lives of all children.
The Product Innovation Center operates within public procurement practices to drive research and development (R&D), validation and implementation of new products to address programmatic and/or emergency needs. In instances where there are no products in a procurable form on the market, a Product Innovation Project (PIP) is initiated with the ultimate goal of enabling procurement of fit-for-purpose and value-for-money supplies across all UNICEF program areas.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Innovation Manager and working closely with the PIC Health team and the Environmental Health team in the Program Group, the Consultant will support the development of the environmental health portfolio of products. The Consultant will work with the Program Group to develop guidance on the use of products and to support countries in including products in programming. The consultant will ensure the availability of appropriate products and guidance through UNICEF Supply and Program Divisions.

Deliverables:

1. Perform landscape/market analysis of devices for detecting environmental pollutants (such as lead, and others) that have an outsized impact on human health (40 days):

• Engage key stakeholders and drive consensus on products and services that should be made available to countries.
• Engage with manufacturers and suppliers to understand the current state of products and services and the pipeline of upcoming products and services.
• Produce a landscape analysis of the environmental health products and services.

2. Menu of key products to include in the UNICEF Supply Catalogue (prioritized list of products and laboratory services to support testing for elements targeted for elimination from the environment) (30 days):

• Work with the program group and key stakeholders to determine products and services identified that should be prioritized for procurement.
• Identify countries and partners with plans for immediate uptake.

3. Support procurement processes to make appropriate devices and guidance available (60 days):

• In consultation with all key stakeholders, develop specifications for selected and prioritised products.
• Support the preparation of solicitation documents.
• Support the technical evaluation of bids.
• In consultation with stakeholders, develop guidance on how to include services and products into programming.

4. Plan to generate demand for the new products (45 days):

• Work with PG and external partners to determine countries that are programmatically ready to implement.
• Raise resources/support fundraising efforts to enable uptake of products
• Develop a detailed plan on how partners, countries and donors will be engaged to promote the uptake of products

5. Implement the report on demand generation (60 days):

• Implement the demand generation plan, including country visits, stakeholder engagement, webinars, and communication products.
• Document human interest stories
• Document lessons learned in demand generation.

6. List products that require improvement or innovation and a prioritization framework to select those that require immediate attention (35 days):

• Work with academia and industry to determine the state of the science for products and services of interest.
• Identify opportunities for UNICEF’s innovation efforts, detailing those needing target product profiles, incremental improvements or radical innovations.
• Based on programme and procurement centre guidance, develop a prioritised list of products that require innovation.

Timeline and location:
This is a 270-day deliverable-based consultancy spanning over 14 months. This position will be based in UNICEF Supply Division Copenhagen (min. 60% on-site, max. 40% home-based).

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• A bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, or related technical field. An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Environmental Science, Engineering, or Project Management, or other relevant disciplines, would be highly desirable.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in managing technical projects. Proven track record in managing complex projects, preferably involving environmental health. Experience in procurement processes, vendor selection, and contract negotiation.
• Technical Knowledge and Skills: Extensive knowledge of environmental regulations and legislation, particularly those related to heavy metal contamination; Understanding of XRF technology, its applications, and safety protocols; Familiarity with environmental assessment methodologies and remediation techniques; Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills and strong coordination abilities.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

Add on how to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Daily rate and all-inclusive lumpsum for this consultancy.
3. At least 3 Reference contacts.
4. A copy of your highest diploma.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.