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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, an Education

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:

UNICEF Supply Division (SD), based in Copenhagen, is responsible for overseeing UNICEF's global procurement and logistics operation. The Division supports UNICEF Country Offices and partners in achieving UNICEF's priorities by procuring supplies that meet high standards for quality and value and then ensuring their timely delivery.

SD’s Contracting Centre (CC) provides oversight and the normative function on procurement issues, including service contracting and construction. The Policy and Procedures Unit, which is part of CC, leads and provides technical assistance, guidance and support on procurement/contracting policy and on professional development to UNICEF’s supply community, and supports the implementation of procurement optimization projects.

How can you make a difference? 

As part of the Supply Division four (4) year strategic plan, the incumbent will be a resource supporting the implementation of the organizational digitalization strategy under the general guidance of the Senior Contracts Manager in the Policy Unit. The incumbent will be supporting the development of new digital solutions and services and will be responsible for the planning and development of procurement policies, guidelines and strategies, as well as documentation of best practices.

Under the guidance of the Senior Contracts Manager, the incumbent participates in cross centre, interdivisional, interagency activities, including training and capacity building, with the aim to streamline, optimize and harmonize procurement practices, as well as to ensure the highest procurement quality and ethical standards.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Supports the optimization of UNICEF supply chains through simplification, optimization and the use of digital solutions and new technologies.
• Serves as the Project Manager for the implementation and rollout of the eProcurement project, overseeing all phases of the project lifecycle to ensure timely delivery and alignment with divisional goals.
• Participates and/or leads process reviews, testing of solutions, facilitates the adaptation and maintenance of all relevant standard contractual documents, templates and forms and ensures that they are up to date and in line with best practices in international public procurement.
• Leads and/or participates in the design and implementation of new tools, leveraging a strong understanding of technology and process improvement for operational efficiency, compliance with policies, procedures and processes and enabling risk mitigation.
• Contributes to developing training materials and delivering sessions on the relevant tools and topics of digitalization, optimization and simplifications, with regards to functionality as well as policy, and procedure and guidance aspects to further the professional development and learning for the UNICEF Supply Community.
• Supports/contributes to development and implementation of new policies, procedures and guidance documents as may be required. For example, use of Robotic Process Automation, use of relevant technologies, etc.
• Contributes to development and implementation of work plans and priorities of the Contracting Centre and supports staff in the Contracting Centre in the execution of daily responsibilities as needed.
• Follows up on latest technology developments and good practices to ensure continuous improvement of procurement practices.
• Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

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

Education:

• A completed advanced University degree (Master's Degree) in business administration, commerce,  law or relevant technical field is required. Qualifications in computer science, information technology management, project management or related social science will be an advantage.

*A completed first University degree in above field areas may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree in conjunction with additional two years of relevant work experience.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in project management and/or procurement and/or supply chain management, 3 years of which should include working in international setting, is required.
• Experience related to optimization and/or simplification of business processes, policies and procedures with other UN agencies and/or international organizations is highly desired.

Language Requirements:  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: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF 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 
• Manages Ambiguity and Complexity 
• Thinks and Acts Strategically 
• Works Collaboratively with Others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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.

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.

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.

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.