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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a childhood

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Under the supervision of a Contracts Specialist from the Digital Supply Unit, the Senior Consultant will lead and advise on large-scale procurement initiatives for Internet connectivity and associated services for schools and healthcare centres, primarily for the African continent, in compliance with Giga’s technical requirements and local country’s expectations. This role requires a strategic thinker and execution-oriented professional with deep knowledge of the public procurement lifecycle, connectivity service specifics and challenges, vendor negotiation, and compliance with regional and international procurement standards.

The consultancy is office-based, in Geneva. UNICEF will facilitate the process for obtaining local permits exclusively for the consultant, excluding any dependents. (For more information on Non-staff members IO based in Geneva, you can visit this link).

Consultancy scope of work

1. Procurement Strategy & Design:

• Develop and lead procurement strategies at very large scale for Internet connectivity service scope, including, but not limited to:
  • Connectivity and communication services, such as internet bandwidth, telecom infrastructure, and managed services;
  • Cloud-based solutions and data hosting to support digital tools deployed under Giga;
  • Software development and platform services, including SaaS tools for school mapping, contract management, and performance monitoring;
  • Digital tools and applications, including geospatial platforms, data visualization dashboards, and mobile/web apps to enable school connectivity tracking;
  • ICT hardware and equipment to support school- and country-level infrastructure needs.
• Structure and oversee competitive tendering processes in accordance with UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations and local, regional, and international public procurement laws.
• Support the development of technical tender documents such as Statements of Work (SOWs) and Terms of Reference (TORs) in collaboration with Giga teams and technical partners.

2. Market Engagement & Tender Management:

• Conduct market sounding and supplier prequalification to identify suitable vendors.
• Draft and review RFPs, RFIs, evaluation criteria, and contract documentation.
• Manage vendor selection, bid evaluations, and contract award processes, including contract term drafting and negotiations until the signature of UNICEF Institutional Contracts and Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) with the selected suppliers

3. Advisory & Capacity Building:

• Advise on scalable sourcing and deployment approaches to maximize value for money and efficiency.
• Provide support and help skill up UNICEF team for Giga as required.

4. Project Management & Risk Mitigation:

• Monitor procurement timelines, risk mitigation strategies, and vendor compliance.
• Ensure quality assurance and adherence to procurement best practices.
• Work as a team with the other members of UNICEF procurement team for Giga.
• Report progress, issues and achievements to GIGA stakeholders.

5. Cross-functional Coordination:

• Collaborate with legal, technical, financial, and project delivery teams to ensure alignment across the different procurement steps and subsequent implementation phases.
• Liaise with Country Offices, Regional Offices, and global partners as needed, to support joint procurement, benchmarking, and efficient delivery of digital solutions.
• Support UNICEF internal processes such as UNICEF Contract Review Committee (CRC) submission.
• Assist with representing the Giga procurement function in internal and external meetings, workshops, and consultations.

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that the following deliverables are achieved:

1. Procurement Strategy & Design:
• Procurement Strategy Document.
• Internet Connectivity service design for all types of schools and health facilities in scope.
• Connectivity service operating model to support digital tools deployed under Giga and connection with Giga SaaS tools for school mapping, contract management, and performance monitoring.
• ICT hardware and equipment validation and documentation to support school- and country-level infrastructure needs.
• Requirement Documentation (SoW, ToR, etc) for tendering processes in accordance with UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations and local, regional, and international public procurement laws.
Delivery deadline: 01.03.2026

2. Market Engagement & Tender Management
• Market survey and supplier prequalification to identify suitable vendors.
• Define RFPs, RFIs, evaluation criteria, and contract documentation.
• Manage vendor selection, bid evaluations, and contract award processes, including contract term drafting and negotiations until contract signature.
Delivery deadline: 30.11.2026 

3. Advisory & Capacity Building
• Scalable sourcing and deployment approach document.
• Provide support and help skill up UNICEF team for Giga as required.
Delivery deadline: 30.11.2026

4. Market Engagement & Tender Management
• Market survey and supplier prequalification to identify suitable vendors.
• Define RFPs, RFIs, evaluation criteria, and contract documentation.
• Manage vendor selection, bid evaluations, and contract award processes, including contract term drafting and negotiations until contract signature.
Delivery deadline:

5. Project Management & Risk Mitigation
• Document procurement timelines, risk mitigation strategies, and vendor compliance.
• Monitor and document quality assurance and adherence to procurement best practices.
• Report progress, issues and achievements to Giga stakeholders.
Delivery deadline: 30.11.2026

6. Cross-functional Coordination
• Collaborate with legal, technical, financial, and project delivery teams to ensure alignment and sign-off of all stakeholders.
• Liaise with Country Offices, Regional Offices, and global partners as needed, to support joint procurement, benchmarking, and efficient delivery of digital solutions. Support UNICEF internal processes such as UNICEF Contract Review Committee (CRC) submission.
• Assist with representing the Giga procurement function in internal and external meetings, workshops, and consultations.
Delivery deadline: 30.11.2026

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology or related field is required.
  
  
• Work Experience:
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in procurement, with a strong focus on connectivity, telecom, or ICT infrastructure projects, including:
  • Internet connectivity solutions (e.g. satellite, fiber, LTE)
  • Network and related hardware (routers, switches, solar backup systems)
  • ICT implementation and Support Service (e.g. managed services, maintenance, service monitoring)

• Skills:
• Ability to resolve difficult, complex and sensitive situations often under pressure.
• Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• Ability to work strategically to realize organizational goals, develop strategies, set clear visions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with ability to produce high-quality procurement documentation and establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Sound capacity for planning, organizing and reporting on complex and large-scale tasks.
• Ability to identify and analyze systemic issues, formulate opinions and make conclusions and recommendations to resolve the same.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes, from client’s needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, logistics and delivery, monitoring and evaluation.
• Sound technical understanding of network and/or internet connectivity technologies and associated challenges.
• Culturally sensitive, with experience working in diverse, multilingual environments.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale procurement processes.
• Strong computer skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint. SAP is a plus.
• Ability and willingness to integrate and adapt quickly to a new environment, cross-country team and complex project.
•  
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Public or donor-funded initiative experience is highly desirable.
• Experience working in or with African organisations and/or telecom suppliers for a delivery in Africa is preferred.
• Strong overall knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of supply chain issues, ethics and risk management of supply chain operations.
• Experience in cross-border or regional connectivity projects e.g. supporting multi-country coordination for concurrent procurement initiatives is a plus.
• Understanding of cyber security risks, compliance with standard terms and conditions addressing information and data security, and related best practices is considered an asset.
• Experience in market research and outreach, especially in emerging and frontier markets is highly desirable.
• Understanding of contractual frameworks for aggregated purchasing or pooled procurement, ideally across multiple countries or regions is highly desirable.
• CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) or equivalent is desirable.
  PMP or Prince2 is a plus.

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 Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.