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, innovation

Ethiopia is situated in the Horn of Africa and is the second most populous country on the continent with an estimated population of 115 million. It borders six African countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, and covers 1,104,300 square kilometers. Approximately 85 percent of the population lives in rural areas. Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures with Middle Eastern and African cultures evident in the religious, ethnic, and language composition of its people.

Over the past two years, children and their families across Ethiopia faced multiple and complex emergencies, such as the conflict in the northern Ethiopia and the drought, which resulted in millions of people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. UNICEF has programmes in Child Protection, WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social Policy, and Education and serves over 15 million children in Ethiopia. Join UNICEF Ethiopia to contribute to improving the lives of children and women

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

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The Project Coordinator will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and the Ethio-BioPharma Group during its formative years. The coordinator will be responsible for guiding the effective establishment, coordination, and management of project offices under the Group, ensuring seamless execution of project portfolios and alignment with national and continental priorities. The position will also play a pivotal role in positioning Ethio-BioPharma Group for long-term sustainability and competitive participation in regional and global markets. This assignment is closely aligned with the African Union’s Lusaka Agenda on sustainable local manufacturing, which calls for the development of robust pharmaceutical production capacities across Africa to ensure equitable access to essential health products. The Project Coordinator will contribute to Ethiopia’s leadership in this continental shift by advancing local vaccine, diagnostic, and pharmaceutical manufacturing efforts that are central to health sovereignty and supply chain resilience in Africa.

Scope of Work:

Leadership and Strategy

• Develop and execute the Ethio Bio-Pharma group vision, mission, and strategic goals in alignment with the Board’s expectations.
• Provide dynamic leadership to foster an environment of collaboration, innovation, and high performance.
• Ensure effective communication with the Board of Directors, key stakeholders, and employees.
• Establish and promote a culture of continuous improvement, quality assurance, and ethical operations.
• Analyze the pharmaceutical industry trends and emerging market opportunities to guide strategic decisions.

Operational Management

• Oversee the development and implementation of all operational processes, systems, and procedures necessary to scale the business.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and industry standards, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), safety, and environmental standards.
• Manage the production, quality control, and supply chain operations, ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and product integrity.
• Build and maintain robust partnerships with suppliers, vendors, distributors, and other external stakeholders.

Financial and Resource Management

• Develop and implement strategies for financial sustainability, growth, and profitability.
• Lead the preparation of annual budgets, financial forecasts, and regular financial reporting.
• Oversee cost management and resource allocation to ensure optimal use of company resources.
• Lead resource mobilization efforts, including venture capital or other financing options, to support Ethio Bio-pharma growth trajectory.

Team Building and Human Resources

• Establish a high-performing leadership team and ensure clear organizational structure and roles.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to senior management and ensure alignment with company goals.
• Ensure a positive work environment, fostering professional development, motivation, and employee engagement.
• Oversee recruitment, retention, and development of talent across the organization.

Business Development and Sales

• Identify and evaluate new business opportunities, product lines, and market segments.
• Lead the development and execution of sales and marketing strategies to drive market penetration and brand recognition.
• Build and manage relationships with healthcare providers, pharmaceutical distributors, and government stakeholders.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and with regulatory bodies within the regional and globally.

Risk Management

• Identify potential risks, including financial, operational, and regulatory risks, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure adherence to ethical standards and corporate governance.
• Lead crisis management efforts, including addressing any issues related to product recalls, manufacturing disruptions, or regulatory challenges.

Objectives:

• Set the overall strategic direction and leadership for the Ethio-BioPharma Group, guiding the organization’s establishment and growth in alignment with national health priorities.
• Facilitate the setup of organizational structures, governance frameworks, and operational foundations necessary to enable efficient pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing in Ethiopia.
• Coordinate and harmonize the efforts of the different project offices under the Ethio-BioPharma Group to ensure integrated execution and alignment with the Group’s mission and strategic goals.
• Establish and nurture partnerships with key public and private stakeholders, including regulatory authorities, suppliers, distributors, and healthcare providers, to support the Ethio-BioPharma Group’s growth and sustainability.
• Oversee the development of a long-term business plan and actively pursue resource mobilization opportunities to ensure financial sustainability and operational scalability.
• Support the recruitment, structuring, and capacity development of high-performing teams to lead and manage the Ethio-BioPharma Group’s core functions effectively.
• Establish and uphold strong governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management systems to ensure the Group’s sustainable and ethical operations.

Work Assignment Overview

Phase one: from 1st September 2025 to 31st December 2025

• Submit and present the inception report and Conduct stakeholder consultations (22 working days)
  •  Deliverables- Submission of Inception Report and Detailed Work Plan.
• Review relevant policies and baseline data and develop a 3-year work plan with milestones (22 working days)
  •  Deliverables- Submission of detailed work plan with timeframe of implementation.
• Conduct industry and regulatory landscape analysis and Map key stakeholders and potential partners (44 working days)
  •  Deliverables- Submission of industry and regulatory landscape analysis and Stakeholder Mapping report.

Phase Two: from Jan 2026 to December 2027

(contractual agreement will continue depending on the grant availability & extension of agreement with donor secured) 

•  Develop the first draft of the 5–10-year business plan and Organize validation meetings and gather feedback (66 working days)
  • Deliverable- Submission of draft 5–10 Year Business Plan and validation meeting report

• Design governance structures and reporting lines, Develop operational manuals and SOPs, Establish project management tools and coordination mechanisms and Conduct orientation for project office staff (88 working days)
  • Deliverable- Submission of establishment of Governance and Operational Framework for Project Offices and presented to senior management at MOH, UNICEF and Executive board for endorsement
• Collect and analyze implementation progress, Document lessons learned and challenges, Recommend adjustments for Year 2 and Submit and present the Year 1 report. (44 working days)
  • Deliverable- Submission of report on Year 1 Progress and Lessons Learned with key recommendations on the key priority areas for year 2.
• Finalize the 5–10-year business plan (22 working days)
  • Deliverable- Submission of finalized 5-10 years business plan
• Develop resource mobilization strategy and Identify and initiate partnerships and preliminary agreements are secured (44 working days)
  • Deliverable- Submission of Partnership and Resource Mobilization Strategy
• Design HR policies and recruitment plans, develop financial and procurement systems, deploy operational tools and systems including developing mentorship programs and Enhance capacity of staff through training, coaching and mentorship. (88 working days)
  • Deliverable-Submission of designed and approved key Operational Systems (HR, Finance, Procurement).
• Implement staff capacity building activities and Conduct mid-term project performance review and document results and process gaps (66 working days)
  • Deliverable- Submission of Capacity Building activities and Mid-Term Performance Assessment reports
• Analyzed Year 2 progress including Updating risk register and mitigation plan and Document performance against milestones then submit and present the Year 2 report (66 working days)
  • Deliverable- Submission of consolidated Progress Report to UNICEF and MOH senior management as well as the Executive Board (the report will highlight the key achievements, challenges and recommended priority actions for phase

Phase Three: January 1 to August 31, 2028

•  Develop market entry and distribution strategies, Engage key buyers and healthcare providers, finalize supply chain agreements and establish initial distribution channels (88 working days)
  • Deliverable- Submission of finalized Market Engagement and Distribution Strategy.
• Assess readiness of manufacturing sites, develop operational launch plan, identify supply chain requirements and Develop manufacturing risk mitigation strategy (88 working days)
  • Deliverable- Submission of Manufacturing Readiness Assessment and Operational Launch Plan

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TOR CONSULTANTS- Senior Project Coordinator.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Marketing Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceuticals Supply Chain Management or a related field.

Work Experience: 

• Minimum of 8 years of senior management experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing or closely related sectors.
• Working at higher Ministerial level with coordination of similar roles
• Proven track record of successfully leading organizations through early growth and establishment phases, particularly in highly regulated industries.
• Deep understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, regulatory frameworks, and market dynamics.
• Exceptional financial and budget management abilities.
• In-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical supply chain management, manufacturing processes, and distribution channels.
• Experience in resource mobilization, business development, and stakeholder management.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills.

Personal/organizational Competencies

• Provides visionary leadership and strategic direction.
• Fosters collaboration, innovation, and high performance.
• Develops and implements operational processes, systems, and procedures for business growth.
• Designs and applies strategies for financial sustainability, growth, and profitability.
• Leads budget preparation and oversee resource allocation and mobilization.
• Builds and leads high-performing teams and provides mentorship.
• Creates a positive work environment that supports professional growth and employee engagement.
• Demonstrates excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Identifies and pursues new business opportunities, products, and market segments.
• Proactively identifies and mitigates financial, operational, and regulatory risks.

Desirables:

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 
• Certifications in leadership and management, healthcare, or pharmaceutical industry-related disciplines are desirable.

Note:

• Applications submitted without a fee rate will not be considered.
• Contract will be issued for only the first phase initially. Extension beyond the first phase requires confirmation of need, funding availability and good performance.

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 (1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (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.

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.