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, hope

UNICEF Supply Division (SD) has identified strengthening national vaccine procurement practices as a key component of its approach to supporting Gavi transitioning and other middle-income countries (MICs) in ensuring sustainable access to and timely supply of affordable vaccines. Included in the scope of procurement capacity needs are procurement activities (for example, market intelligence, analysis, development of procurement strategies, tendering and order management, etc.). To this end, UNICEF Supply Division has been supporting countries by facilitating such learning via multiple projects. This includes hosting the annual Vaccine Procurement Forum (VPF) since 2015. This event, albeit by definition time-limited, is a unique opportunity to allow procurement practitioners from different countries/regions to network with and learn from peers and to catalyze momentum for future continuous exchanges. Since its launch, it has evolved greatly to become a well-established forum serving all self procuring countries. In addition, UNICEF Supply Division established a community of practice in 2016, to further the aims of the VPPEF by initiating the Vaccine Procurement Practitioners Network (VPPN). As a virtual community of practice primarily targeting national stakeholders in the vaccine procurement process, the VPPN goal is under revision due to a recent assessment. Currently, it aims towards providing a platform for the continuous exchange of theoretical and practical knowledge, joint learning and collaborative problem-solving. Membership in the VPPN has been limited to participants of the VPPEF, however, the community has grown over time as a result of a strategy to gradually include interested vaccine procurement practitioners from additional countries, as well as other relevant stakeholders and experts. To support this effort, the VPPN was migrated to TechNet-21, a large platform co-owned by WHO and UNICEF, which mission is to bring together immunization professionals to build relationships, coordinate activities, share knowledge, and align priorities and goals

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will play a leading role in lifting the community of practice off the ground, by initiating, coordinating and fostering peer-to-peer knowledge exchange via South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in close synergy with the TechNet-21 platform. A key outcome will be the supporting the refinement and implementation of the knowledge exchange and peer learning strategy which guides the management of the community and engagement with its members. The consultant will be a key driving force for this project and will (a) provide expertise in knowledge facilitation and capture techniques, (b) refine peer learning mechanisms, development and facilitation of the CoP, and knowledge dissemination, and (c) introduce and promote the adoption of new tools that can enhance the work to this end.  

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

Phase 1 - Timeline 15 March 2025:

• Get to know community members and map their needs and expectations with respect to knowledge exchange and peer learning via SSTC.
• Implement a detailed knowledge exchange and peer learning activities based on community members’ feedback and project goals including:
  - A detailed calendar of activities for the community and a content calendar for the online community in particular.
  - A list of leads for individual activities as well as provide support for their implementation. Tasks may include creating relevant content, initiating relevant discussions, making sure that the leader, the team and core group are creating content and participating, organizing online activities (webinars, e-discussions, chats, etc.) and drafting and distributing a newsletter. 

Phase 1B - Timeline: 15 June 2025

• Update/cultivate community champions that are willing to take on responsibilities and co-leadership roles within the community. -
• Identify/implement new activities in collaboration with the TechNet-21 community of practice manager to the benefits of the VPPN community.
• Map out and cultivate content on the VPPN. Make relevant content more visible/ accessible to members and delete redundances/ duplications.

Phase 2 - Timeline 15 September 2025  

• Document and analyze community’s engagement, especially for the members who are government partners, and outputs and capture the outcomes and provide a quantitative report on website traffic and number of community exchanges. The report should include a final section on actionable recommendations on how to enhance community’s engagement.
• Develop monitoring reports with key performance indicators and metrics, based on the established Logical framework.

Phase 3 - Timeline 15 December 2025  

• Support the preparation and delivery of the 2025 VPFs by taking an active role as an event organization team member and relay relevant information on the VPPN.
• Ensure momentum within the community, by sharing content, stimulating conversations, facilitating and encouraging members to provide input and answer technical questions, proposing unexplored topics for discussion, bringing forward underrepresented perspectives and making members feel included and their contributions valued.  

Phase 4 - Timeline 20December 2025  

• Provide a qualitative assessment of community engagement through content analysis and suggest improvements.
• Support potential other activities relevant to the VPF/VPPN work as agreed with the supervisor.  

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Information and knowledge management, Communications, Public policy, Public management, Public health, Business administration, International relations, or International development.
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree. 
• A minimum of seven of relevant professional experience with communities of practice, online communities, and/or community organizing with proven capacity to have successfully developed such communities. 
• Proven experience organizing and facilitating participatory events such as workshops, learning sessions and webinars. - Proven experience with online collaboration platforms especially in the areas of content and information management
• Solid Experience with website management (frontend) Effective interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to engage different stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality results in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the work of UNICEF, the UN and/or with issues related to public health/immunization is an asset. 
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

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.