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, a fair chance

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context:

This position is located in the technical team of the Medical Device Unit within the Health Technology Centre. The core function of the technical team is to ensure that the Medical Device product portfolio procured and supplied by UNICEF is safe, fit-for-purpose and meets the required quality standards.

The position is in the Medical Devices Unit reporting to the MDU Technical Specialist P-4.

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the P4 Technical Specialist, acts as material owner for a portfolio of Personal Protective Equipment and medical devices in resource limited settings and emergency response.

Applies specialized product knowledge, and in collaboration with counterparts in field offices and Programme Division, establishes technical specifications, standards, and guidelines for procurement of clinical medical devices, consumables and equipment used in MNCH requisitioned by UNICEF programmes and specialized UN agencies, governments, and non-governmental organizations on a procurement services basis. Supports UNICEF’s strategies to strengthen country capacity in the area of supply of Personal Protective Equipment and medical devices, emergency response, and fostering innovation.

You will be accountable for: 

• In collaboration with UNICEF Programme Division, Regional Advisers, WHO and other key partners, contributes to the formulation of policy guidelines in the area of expertise.
• Reviews, develops, and maintains technical supply specifications and requirements to ensure completeness and appropriateness of a portfolio of medical devices and Personal Protective Equipment included in both the UNICEF database and catalogue.
• Technical adjudication of procurement tenders for medical devices and Personal Protective Equipment.
• Advises programmes and partners on technical matters relating to the commodity of specialization. Reviews programmatic needs and clarifies inadequate specifications, proposing substitute or alternative items, as necessary.
• Manages a portfolio of UNICEF’s health supplies. Conducts market research, horizon-scanning for innovations, provides analysis, background information, recommendations for improving the suitability and range of products within specialized area, with special emphasis on suitability of commodities for use in emergency settings, resulting in more appropriate equipment, better delivery, and lower costs.
• Ensures all Personal Protection Equipment supplied through SD conforms applicable regulatory requirements in accordance with UNICEF’s technical provisions on Personal Protective Equipment.
• Supports Procurement Services Centre in preparing cost estimates for special projects on medical devices and related services through contributions of technical knowledge of products, quality standards and performance of technologies in the field.
• Supports UNICEF country offices and government partners by assisting in needs assessments in programs or projects aimed at improving access to medical devices and Personal Protective Equipment.
• Contributes to technical capacity building in UNICEF Offices and implementing partners to ensure access to essential medical supplies.
• Any other duties or assignments as requested by supervisor.

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

Education

• A completed advanced university degree in nutrition, nursing, pediatrics, clinical sciences, or relevant discipline and/or public health.

Or;

A completed first University Degree (bachelor’s degree), in nutrition, nursing, pediatrics, clinical sciences or relevant discipline and/or public health along with 7 years of relevant experience that may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years of progressive relevant professional experience.
• Experience in the procurement and application of medical devices and Personal Protective Equipment, and related applicable regulatory frameworks.
• An extensive hands-on working experience in facilities providing health services, including in emergency settings.
• Has preferably worked within the UN or a similar organisation/NGO.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

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: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

 The core competencies required for this post are:

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Works collaboratively with others
• Nurtures, leads and manages people

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 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. 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.  

Remarks:

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at: http://www.whed.net/

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

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