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:

Procurement centres are responsible for the supply operation, including strategic market intelligence, forecasting, procurement, delivery, innovation and analysis of product groups and procurement strategies. The contracting function leads in expertise on the supply landscape, markets, value for money and interaction with global partners to increase access and sustainable supply which can be accessed by government buyers. The incumbent provides support to optimization projects and is responsible for technical assistance and knowledge management, including knowledge sharing via communication pieces on key products/markets and publication of information.

This position of Contracts Manager (Rotavirus & Japanese Encephalitis vaccines) is located in the Vaccine Center at Supply Division reporting to the Contracts Manager, Unit Lead, Vaccine Introduction Unit and is supervising two staff, GS-6 Procurement Associate and GS-5 Procurement Assistant.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the general guidance of the Contracts Manager, Vaccine Introductions, the incumbent will be responsible for the planning, development and implementation of procurement including contract programming, worldwide market research and long-range procurement planning in order to achieve the most cost-effective means of procurement of rotavirus and Japanese Encephalitis vaccines. This is to ensure uninterrupted, sustainable supply of affordable, quality assured vaccines for introductions and routine immunization to countries. Estimated annual procurement value >$ 100 million per annum. 

The incumbent will work closely with UNICEF Programme Group, Regional and Country Offices, and partners including the Gavi secretariat and WHO to provide strategic advice on vaccine supply and ensure that procurement activities supports the development of supply markets to meet programmatic requirements.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Ensures all procurement activities are in compliance with the UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations, Supply Procedures and all other applicable procurement procedures.
• Conducts contracts management to ensure supplier compliance to LTA’s and purchase order terms and conditions.
• Develop procurement strategies for portfolio vaccine(s). Issues international tender invitations to acceptable suppliers, evaluates quotations, clarifies offers, and negotiates with suppliers as appropriate.
• Makes recommendations for finalization of purchases, adjudicates offers in consultation with WHO, and internally Technical and QA centres.  Prepares and defends submissions to CRC.
• Works closely with countries, programmes and partners on project design, work plan and procurement coordination, issues of long term forecasting of quantities and planning of funding.
• Ensures adequate and coordinated planning of procurement and demand of the commodities, including during introduction phases, peaks and campaign seasons as applicable.
• Performs market intelligence gathering and conducts written analysis in order to establish perspectives of future market conditions, potential funding and forecasting needs.
• Reviews material specifications and requirements with the Technical and Quality Assurance (QA) Centres to ensure completeness and appropriateness of supply requests.
• Support Country programs, Program Division and Regional Offices in the commodities strategies, the forecasting and the procurement of the center’s supplies through preparation or participation in workshops, field visits and partnership meetings.
• In partnership with WHO and internal QA and Technical Centre, evaluates suppliers with respect to delivery performance, product acceptability and commercial acceptability.
• Establishes work plans and priorities, monitors achievements and evaluates performance of support staff.
• Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

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

Education:

• Advanced University degree in business administration, commerce, pharmaceuticals, law or technical field required.

Work Experience:

• Minimum eight years of progressively responsible professional experience including at least three years in the field of vaccine and pharmaceuticals. 
• Experience in commercial activities with the public or private sector in developing and industrialized countries. 
• Experience with worldwide procurement, contract negotiations and administration, combined with broader economic knowledge.
• Experience with vaccine and/or international health programmes and global partnerships is considered an asset.

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 (2)
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness and     Ethical Awareness (2)
• Drive to Achieve Results for Impact (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Manages Ambiguity and Complexity (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Works Collaboratively with Others (2)
• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)

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.

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

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.