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 Chance

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the P4 Technical Manager (Supply), the Technical Specialist (Clinical Laboratory - and Medical Devices) acts as material owner for a portfolio of clinical laboratory and medical equipment, devices and instruments (including diagnostics, blood bank and blood transfusion commodities, personal protective equipment, and vector control products).

Applies specialized product knowledge, and in collaboration with counterparts in field offices and Programme Division, establishes technical specifications, standards and guidelines for procurement of clinical laboratory and medical equipment, devices and instruments, including Point of Care (PoC) and Rapid Diagnotic Tests (RDTs), blood banking and blood transfusion commodities, personal protective equipment (PPE), and vector control products such as mosquito nets, repellents with related consumables and equipment used for MNCH, requisitioned by UNICEF programmes and specialized UN agencies, governments and non-governmental organizations on a procurement services basis.

Supports UNICEF’s strategies in collaboration with counterparts in the commercial team, field offices and Programme Division, to strengthen country capacity in the area of procurement and supply of clinical laboratory and medical equipment, devices and instruments.

Key Functions, Accountabilities and Related Duties/Tasks:

1. In collaboration with UNICEF Programme Division, Regional Advisers, WHO and other key partners, contributes to the creation and/or review of policy guidelines in the areas of expertise.
2. Reviews, develops, and maintains technical supply specifications and requirements to ensure completeness and appropriateness of a portfolio of products that include clinical laboratory and medical equipment, devices and instruments (including diagnostics, blood bank and blood transfusion commodities, PPE, and vector control products such as moscuito nets, repellents) with related consumables in both the UNICEF database and catalogue.
3. Technical adjudication in the context of procurement tenders for products in the portfolio. Advises programmes and partners on technical matters relating to the commodities of specialization. Reviews programmatic needs and clarifies inadequate specifications, proposing substitute or alternative items, as necessary.
4. Manages UNICEF’s portfolio (so called material ownership) of clinical laboratory and medical equipment, devices and instruments (including PoC and RDTs, blood banking and blood transfusion commodities, PPE, and vector control products).
5. Conducts market research to identify potential sources to procure from, horizon-scanning for innovations, providing analysis, background information, recommendations for improving the suitability and range of products within specialized area, with special emphasis on suitability of commodities for use in emergency settings, resulting in optimal availability to our programmes and partners.
6. Ensures all products in the portfolio comply with the applicable regulatory compliance and quality management system requirements in accordance with UNICEF’s technical and quality policy.
7. Supports Supply Financing Centre with the development of Cost Estimates for clinical laboratory and medical equipment, devices and instruments, including PoC and RDTs, blood banking and bloodtransfusion commodities, PPE, and vector control products and related services, through contributions of the technical knowledge of products, quality standards and performance of technologies in the field.
8. Assisting  UNICEF country offices and government partners with needs assessments in the context of programs and projects design and implementation aimed at improving access to the products in the portfolio.
9. Contributes to technical capacity building at UNICEF Offices and implementing partners to enhance  access to the products in the portfolio.
10. Any other duties or assignments in the context of managing of UNICEF’s portfolio for clinical laboratory and medical equipment, devices and instruments, including PoC and RDTs, blood banking and blood transfusion commodities, PPE, and vector control products, as requested by the supervisor.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD - Technical Specialist (Clinical Laboratory- and Medical Devices)_P3_00015823.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in clinical laboratory technologies, biomedical engineering, clinical biology, biotechnology, or similar relevant disciplines. Additional advanced university degree in public health and/ or studies in business administration are an asset.
• Work Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive relevant professional experience with hospital laboratory and medical equipment, devices and instruments technology, and with supporting international emergency and development programs implementation.
• Hands-on work experience in developing countries is required; e.g., in a laboratory, at in- and outpatients departments where preventive, diagnostic and curative services are located.
• Extensive knowledge of Quality Assurance management and regulatory frameworks of clinical laboratory and medical equipment, devices and instruments; including PoC and RDTs, blood banking and blood transfusion commodities, PPE and vector control technologies.
• Experience with supporting procurement and supply of clinical laboratory and medical equipment, devices and instruments; including PoC and RDTs, blood banking and blood transfusion commodities, PPE and vector control products in developing countries and low resource settings. 
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Knowledge of WHO policies and guidelines related to clinical laboratory and medical equipment, devices and instruments; including PoC and RDTs, blood banking and blood transfusion commodities, PPE, and vector control technologies is an asset.
• Preferably has worked within the UN or a similar international organisation and/or international /NGO 
• 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

The 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
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

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. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

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.

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.

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.