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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 Future

The Service Contracting Centre is part of UNICEF Supply Division (main location Copenhagen, Denmark). Established in 2017 to bring efficiencies and improve compliance by leading the procurement of services for diverse category of services across various Global Programme Divisions and other Headquarters Divisions/Offices including becoming source of expert knowledge and resources in the various categories of services.

The Centre works closely with the other UNICEF Global Programme Divisions and other Headquarter Divisions. The Senior Contracts Associate performs highly skilled work in service contracting and supports the more complex cases and client requests, which frequently requires the evaluation of difficult situations and adaptation of procedures and processes to resolve such cases. This is the senior GS level for more specialized service contracting work and requires advanced service contracting knowledge acquired through training and experience.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Contracts Manager/Contracts Specialist, the Senior Contracts Associat provides a broad range of high level transactional, procedural and administrative tasks in support of service contracting activities carried out by Global Programme Divisions – Centers of Excellence and other Headquarters Divisions/Offices, ensuring timely and efficient output that is in compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, whilst demonstrating the capacity to research, adapt and evaluate irregular cases, and also to recommend improvements to process delivery and design. At the GS-7 level, the below tasks are expected to be carried out with a high level of independence:

• Support procurement strategy and planning by contributing to annual supply plans, conducting market research, analyzing procurement data, and developing sourcing strategies that deliver value for money and sustainability.
• Manage procurement processes including RFQs, ITBs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, bid analysis, negotiations, and the establishment of Long-Term Arrangements (LTAs).
• Collaborate with stakeholders across UNICEF divisions and external partners to develop procurement requirements, Terms of Reference (TORs), contracting strategies, and procurement timelines.
• Administer contracts and purchase orders by preparing award recommendations, processing contracts and POs in SAP/ERP systems, and ensuring compliance with procurement policies and procedures.
• Monitor supplier and contract performance through contract management, supplier evaluations, contract amendments, and follow-up on implementation progress.
• Ensure governance and compliance by maintaining procurement integrity, transparency, audit-ready documentation, SharePoint records, and adherence to UNICEF procurement guidelines.
• Provide reporting and procurement analytics by maintaining dashboards, tracking KPIs, preparing procurement reports, and advising management on procurement status, trends, and risks.
• Support knowledge sharing and capacity building through training, process improvement, development of standard operating procedures, and promoting best practices across teams and offices.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  137404_Senior Contracts Associate GS7 TA_SCC PSU Budapest_June 2026 (1).pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to supply chain management, business administration, contract/commercial law, finance or relevant technical field.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain management or a commercial context (contracting, procurement, supply) is required.
• Strong skills in cost analysis, market assessment, and risk identification and ability to manage complex documents while ensuring compliance with policies and standards.
• Strong communication and presentation skills for various stakeholders and for contracting purposes. And working collaboratively with all stakeholders.
• Experience with managing vendor relationships, effective negotiations and resolving disputes.
• Experience working in a multicultural setting, working with diverse teams operating in various regions with different time zones.
• Skills:
• In-depth knowledge of the concepts, methodologies relevant to the area of work including the relevant supply chain policies, partnership mechanisms, rules and regulations, as well as general knowledge of other related fields.
• High level of proficiency or skill is required in the interpretation and application of specialized rules and regulations to circumstances of complex individual cases.
• Good knowledge of the latest trends in procurement and contracting of services for public sector or international organizations is strongly desirable, including sustainable procurement and e-procurement tools.
• Demonstrated understanding of the relevant service contracting processes and ability to consistently apply relevant policies, procedures and good practices in the daily work. Good judgement in order to handle complex cases including considerations for exceptions.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, vendors, stakeholders and colleagues and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor.
• Ability to establish priorities and plan his/her own work and plan, coordinate and monitor the work of those under his/her supervision as requested by the supervisor.
• Ability to draft clear and concise reports or rationale for supply related decisions on key issues.
• Ability to use supply related modules within UNICEF ERP system and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF office tools.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Experience with contracting services is an advantage.
• Good knowledge of the latest trends in procurement and contracting services and sustainable procurement for public sector or international organizations is strongly desirable.
• Familiarity with UNICEF, UN / International organizations Supply procedures and systems and understanding of the principles of public procurement is advantageous.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

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

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.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member's original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

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.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category. Applicants must be nationals of Hungary or another EU country or hold a valid work permit.

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.

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.