Contracts Manager (Essential Medicines), P-4, Fixed Term Appointment, Post# 15446, (Medicines & Nutrition Center) Supply Division, Copenhagen, Denmark

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, Good Health

Strategic Office Context and Purpose for the Job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens addressing inequity not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. 

Strategic office context  

Access to medicines is critical for the achievement of UNICEF mission. UNICEF Supply Division plays a key role in ensuring that safe, affordable and quality assured medicines are available through UNICEF supported programmes. To this effect UNICEF establishes appropriate strategies for the supply of medicines through its Supply Division warehouse and directly to countries, both for programmes and through Procurement Services.

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose for the job 

Under the general guidance of Chief, Medicines & Nutrition Centre, responsible for planning, development and procurement strategies for supplies, including contract implementation and management, monitoring suppliers’ performance, worldwide market research and long- term procurement planning in order to achieve the most cost-effective means of procurement.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results. 

1. Supervise and manage effective procurement, local and/or offshore, with a goal to provide rapid and relevant responses to evolving supply needs and situations facing children and families, including emergency situations.  

Responsible for leading a group of professionals and support staff.  Establishes work plans and priorities, monitor achievements and evaluates performance of staff. 

Manages procurement of materials; including proposal of supply strategy and method of purchase; LTA’s, Regional Procurement, Direct Order, LPA etc.  

Participates in the negotiation of MOUs, ensuring compliance of the request with division procedures and policy.    

Reviews material specifications and requirements with the Technical Staff and QA Centre to ensure completeness and appropriateness. 

2. Ensure sound, accurate supply/logistics management systems, procedures and documentation as well as regular, accurate reporting to maintain the highest level of integrity, standards and accountability.  

Conducts contracts management to ensure supplier compliance to LTA’s and purchase order terms and conditions. 

Ensures all procurement activities are in compliance with the UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations, SD Manual, and all other applicable procurement procedures. 

3. Ensure that effective support UNICEF and Government capacity-building efforts are provided in order to enhance efficient, effective and timely supply delivery

Provides advice/guidance to requisitioning CO/RO concerning contractual conditions and supplier appraisals for purchasing of products/services.    

Undertakes capacity building or audit missions to field offices as requested.      

4. Collaboration and Partnership  

In partnership with QA Centre, Technical staffs and Warehouse & Logistics Centre , evaluates suppliers with respect to delivery performance, product acceptability and commercial acceptability. 

Performs as a liaison in communication with other centres regarding implementation of procurement cycle. 

Participates in procurement workshops and business seminars organized by UNICEF and/or external partners, including presentation of data and representation of SD. 

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Advanced University degree in business administration, engineering, commerce, law, pharmacy or relevant disciplines required. Strong commercial background with technical knowledge and procurement expertise of related commodities and supplies. 

A First University degree (Bachelors) in the above-mentioned disciplines in conjunction with two additional years of experience in lieu of an advanced University degree may be accepted.

Experience:

Minimum eight years 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 with worldwide procurement,  contract negotiations and administration, combined with broader economic knowledge.

Experience in procurement and management of medicines preferred.

Language Requirement:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

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 is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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, all eligible and suitable 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.

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.