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For every child, Education

Supply Division's work continues to be a direct input to development programmes, including delivery of supplies required by programmes working towards the UNICEF SP result areas, and revolves around innovation, influencing markets, supply chain optimisation and capacity development. 

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. 

Job organizational context 

The position is in the Nutrition Unit within the Medicines and Nutrition Centre (MNC) at Supply Division. Position reports to post #71438, Contracts Manager, P4

How can you make a difference? 

Under the general guidance of the Contracts Manager (Nutrition Unit), develops and executes procurement strategies for nutrition products, including proposing methods of contracting in support of ensuring an uninterrupted, sustainable supply of affordable, quality nutrition supplies. The focus is on securing an efficient supply of nutritional supplies for the treatment of severe wasting, incorporating innovation (contracting) opportunities, and based on a thorough analysis of supply, demand, and market dynamics.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 

1. Ensures all procurement activities for nutrition products are in compliance with the UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations, SD Manual, and all other applicable procurement procedures.
2. Manages procurement of materials; including proposal of supply strategy and procurement modality: LTA's, Regional Procurement, Direct Order, LPA etc. 
3. Issues international tender invitations to acceptable suppliers, evaluates quotations, clarifies offers, and negotiates with suppliers as appropriate.
4. Makes recommendations for finalization of purchases, adjudicates offers in consultation with Technical Unit and QA centres.  Prepares and defends submissions to CRC. Establishes supply arrangements.
5. Conducts contracts management to ensure supplier compliance to LTA’s and purchase order terms and conditions. Monitors supplier performance in line with the divisional procedures and contractual terms. Establishes continuous engagement and develops CAPA’s for improvement.
6. Works closely with project countries and partners providing procurement input for project planning, design, work plan and procurement coordination and integration, including development of long-term forecasting of quantities.
7. Ensures adequate and coordinated planning of procurement and demand of Nutrition products, manages specific procurement projects for nutrition products in the project countries, including for evaluation or scale up.
8. Collaborates with other UN agencies and partners on nutrition supply capacity allocation, country demand prioritisation, and programmatic data at global, regional and country levels.
9. Carries out data assessment and analysis of nutrition data for inclusion in advocacy materials, evidence-based products, and for programme monitoring and reporting.
10. Reviews material specifications and requirements with the Technical Unit and QA Centre to ensure completeness and appropriateness.
11. In partnership with Technical Unit and QA centre, evaluates suppliers with respect to delivery performance, product acceptability, and commercial acceptability.
12. Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 132280_ToR_Contracts Specialist_ P3_ Nutrition Unit_Aug_19_2022.docx

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

Minimum requirements:

[Include the vacancy requirements aligned to the category and level of the position. You can see examples in the branded VA example.]

• Education:

  A completed Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree) in business administration, commerce, law, or a technical field is required. A first University degree may be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree in conjunction with seven years of relevant work experience.

• Work Experience:

Minimum five year of progressively responsible professional experience including at least three at the international level. 

Experience in commercial activities with the public or private sector in developing and industrialized countries. 

Experience in procurement / contracting of nutrition products would be an asset.

Experience from analytical work and negotiations. 

Experience and ability to manage and monitor the effective use of financial and material resources.

Experience in use of computer applications, including internet navigation and various office applications.

• Language Requirements:

  Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in other UN languages would be beneficial. 

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.

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.