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, education
The Service Contracting Centre is part of the UNICEF Supply Division (main location Copenhagen, Denmark). Established in 2017 to bring efficiencies and improve compliance by leading the procurement of services for diverse categories of services across 18 NY Headquarters (NYHQ) Divisions/Offices & becoming a source of expert knowledge and resources in the various categories of services.
The Centre works closely with the other UNICEF Headquarter Divisions. The Senior Contracts Associate performs highly skilled work in service contracting and supports more complex cases and client requests, which frequently require the evaluation of difficult situations and the adaptation of procedures and processes to resolve such cases. This is the senior GS level for more specialized service contracting work and requires advanced knowledge acquired through training and experience.
How can you make a difference?
Under the supervision of the Contracts Specialist, the Senior Contracts Associate provides a broad range of transactional, procedural and administrative tasks in support of service contracting activities carried out by Headquarters Divisions/Offices, ensuring timely and efficient output that is in compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, whilst demonstrating the capacity to research, adapt and evaluate irregular cases, and also to recommend improvements to process delivery and design.
At the GS-7 level, the below tasks are expected to be carried out with a high level of independence.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:
131928_Senior Contracts Associate GS7_SCC_Budapest_March 2025[61].doc
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
- Provides input to and advice on the annual supply plan through coordination with UNICEF Headquarters Divisions. Conduct data review and analysis for category management and development of procurement strategies including collaboration with other UN agencies. In collaboration with the supervisor, develops procurement management strategies and best practices which help to strengthen supply chain systems which significantly contributes to Programme results. Conducts market research in relevant areas for UNICEF and advice on best approaches to obtain best value for money and sustainable procurement. Supports innovation and market shaping initiatives for specific categories that support the organization to deliver on Programme commitments and the related targets in the strategic plans that include community engagement, social and behavior change, business engagement for results, humanitarian, development risk informed programming, scaling of innovative solutions for every child, and other cross cutting areas such as strengthening of evaluation capacity at the country level.
- Liaises with clients Divisions in planning procurement and contracting initiatives, supporting development of appropriate specifications, terms of reference, and contracting strategies and project timelines. Identifies opportunities to strengthen sustainability of supply chains. Provides support to Divisions through the requisitioning stage.
- Ensure establishment of Long-Term Arrangements (LTAs) and act on specific procurement requisitions as might be required. In consultation with supervisor, review and provide inputs on Terms of References for service contracting. Review technical evaluations to ensure equal assessment of suppliers and that scores are commensurate with comments. Prepare and process Request for Quotations (RFQs), Invitations to Bid (ITBs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), as might be requested by the Supervisor. Organize bid openings and conduct technical and financial analysis of offers ensuring procurement processes are conducted in a timely manner with transparency and farness, promoting competition to achieve value for money, as well as coordinate demo meetings with bidders as needed. Conduct pre-bid meetings, clarifications and negotiations with suppliers and contractors.
- Maintains highest level of integrity, ethical standards and accountability in the procurement and contracting of Program services. Supports and guides potential suppliers to register through the United Nations Market Place platform (UNGM).
- Prepare award recommendations including submissions to Contract Review Committee including facilitating supplier evaluations as required. Prepare purchase orders and Institutional Services contracts in SAP (ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning system), and submit for relevant approvals, ensuring completeness of documentation in UNICEF systems.
- Monitors and follows up on progress of contracts ensuring proper contract management is followed, and contracts are fully implemented. Coordinates required amendments to contracts and the evaluation of suppliers with respective contract managers, and ensures timely support is provided.
- Keeps Contracting Dashboard as well as other information management systems updated with contractual information, to be able to prepare supply reports and reports on progress of contracting processes.
- Ensures appropriate filing of procurement cases on the SharePoint in accordance with UNICEF guidelines and maintains up to date records for future reference including for audit.
- Prepares procurement reports for services as requested by supervisor. Keeps supervisor abreast of potential problem areas. Conducts procurement analysis and provides inputs to reporting to management and Divisions client colleagues on procurement status, timelines, trends and KPIs.
- In collaboration with supervisor, Supply Division, provide input to help ensure knowledge exchange and learning is prioritized to continuously build capacity of individuals, the team and other UNICEF offices as required. Develop and facilitate training of newcomers, establish processes or standard operating procedures to support effective workflows.
- Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.
To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
- Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to supply chain management, business administration, contract/commercial law, finance, or relevant technical fields.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain management or a commercial context (contracting, procurement, supply) is required. Experience with services contracting is an advantage.
- Good knowledge of the latest trends in procurement and contracting services and sustainable procurement for public sector or international organizations is strongly desirable.
Skills
- Strong skills in cost analysis, market assessment, and risk identification and ability to manage complex documents while ensuring compliance with policies and standards.
- Strong communication and presentation skills for various stakeholders and contracting purposes. And working collaboratively with all stakeholders.
- Experience with managing vendor relationships, effective negotiations, and resolving disputes.
- Experience working in a multicultural setting, working with diverse teams operating in various regions with different time zones.
- Familiarity with UNICEF and UN / International organizations, supply procedures and systems, and an understanding of the principles of public procurement are advantageous.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
Desirables:
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
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
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.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable underrepresented groups 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.
In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.
Visa residence requirements: i.e., This position is open to European Union nationals and candidates with work authorizations. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.
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.
