Technical Specialist (COVAX), P-3, Temporary Appointment (364 days), Health Technology Centre (HTC), UNICEF Supply Division

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, Deliver

Supplies are essential to fulfil children’s rights.  Supporting child survival and development programmes around the world, UNICEF-procured supplies are critical in providing for children’s health, education and protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

UNICEF procures and supplies over 5,000 products to address the needs of children.

In 2017, UNICEF procured $3.46 billion worth of supplies and services from all over the world, ensuring high quality and good value through fair and open procurement.

As well as supporting UNICEF’s ongoing programmatic activities, the Supply function provides rapid supply response to emergencies.

UNICEF also procures and supplies essential commodities on behalf of governments and other partners in their efforts. These procurement services can also include in-country logistics, capacity building, and project management.

Ensuring the global availability of essential supplies through influencing markets for lifesaving commodities such as vaccines, essential medicines and health products, and implementing a range of supply chain models to ensure these supplies are delivered to children, are two overarching focuses. 

How can you make a difference?

As countries scale up vaccination programmes, more and more focus is placed on cold chain infrastructure, not only to ensure that vaccines remain effective, but also to prevent the loss of significant resources should costly new vaccines be destroyed. New technologies have come to market that facilitate expansion of cold chain infrastructure in resource limited settings and simplify and reduce investment costs and risks.

There is an increased demand for technical support on selection, procurement planning and commissioning of cold chain equipment and effective vaccine storage management.  Hence, UNICEF is seeking assistance in the form of a one year temporary appointment to support the technical function in the Cold Chain.

You will be accountable for: 

1. Manage complex cold chain procurement projects;

2. Provide expert technical support on cold chain products such as Walk-in Cold/Freezer Rooms, Refrigerators/Freezers, Refrigerated Vehicles, Cold Boxes, Vaccine Carriers and/or Temperature Monitoring Systems;

3. Support the WHO Performance, Quality and Safety (WHO PQS) working group in developing or revising PQS standards and product development of relevant cold chain products;

4. Support UNICEF’s Global Partners in the development of supply strategies, guidance materials and analysis related to procurement, commissioning, quality and/or use of relevant cold chain product groups;

5. Follow up of recommendations of post-procurement surveys and feedback received on relevant cold chain product groups;

6. Support the development of a knowledge management portal and associated guidance materials for cold chain capacity development in selection, procurement planning and commissioning;

7. Provide expert technical screenings of procurement requests for cold chain products received from UNICEF Country Offices and/or External Partners; guiding on product selection, quantification, sourcing, quality, commissioning and use of the required products;

8. Contribute to UNICEF programmes aimed at strengthening country capacity in the area of cold chain products, identifying training needs and supports priority training and capacity building activities.

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

Education

A completed Advanced University Degree (Master’s) in Refrigeration Engineering, Medical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and/or Mechatronic / Electromechanical Engineering.

*A completed 1st University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Refrigeration Engineering, Medical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and/or Mechatronic/Electromechanical Engineering, along with a minimum of 7 years relevant experience could be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum 5 years of professional experience, including at least three at the international level, in a technical field of medical devices, project management, health programming and/or procurement;
• Technical knowledge of cold chain products such as Walk-in Cold/Freezer Rooms, Refrigerators/Freezers, Refrigerated Vehicles, Cold Boxes, Vaccine Carriers and/or Temperature Monitoring Systems, with associated experience with worldwide sources, suppliers and markets will be an advantage;
• Additional experience or qualifications in the fields of project management, public health or other relevant disciplines will be an advantage.
• Previous experience within the UN or a similar international organization / NGOs in developing countries and/or in related area is an added advantage.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are…

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drives to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

Functional competencies:

• Analyzing (Level 2)
• Applying Technical Expertise (Level 2)
• Deciding and Initiating (Level 2)
• Planning and Organizing (Level 2)

Technical Competencies:

• Project management
• Technical expertise in cold chain design, products and implementation
• Computer skills (database management, spread sheets and word processing)

View our competency framework at:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

 

Remarks:

• This vacancy announcement is open to all internal and external candidates.
• UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at:  http://www.whed.net/
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.