Technical Officer (Education), P-2, Post#121079, Temporary Appointment (364 days), UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen, Denmark

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, Education

Strategic Office Context:

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:

The position reports to the Technical Specialist Education P3, within the Water, Sanitation and Education Centre (WSEC) in UNICEF Supply Division, is responsible to support Technical Review of Education items (goods), in support of UNICEF programmes worldwide. The Education Technical unit currently comprises of two staff member lead by Technical Specialist P3, Technical Assistant GS-5.

Procurement Centers are responsible for supply operation including market intelligence, forecasting, procurement, delivery, innovation and analysis of product groups and procurement strategies. The technical function leads in expertise in product specification, global education product child safety and conformity, ensure fit for purpose, identifies global supply sources with specific focus on geographical diversity of suppliers – endeavoring to bring sourcing closer to demand, keeps abreast of industry shifts in product innovation including changes in raw material used for Education products.  Interacts with UN agencies and other players to gain intelligence to improve product specification in line with industry practice.

How can you make a difference?

• Reviews and updates technical specifications and requirements to ensure completeness and appropriateness for review by supervisor. Advises requesting offices on technical matters relating to the commodity of specialization. Clarifies inadequate specifications with requesting office in consultation with Technical Specialist, proposing substitute or alternative items as necessary.
• Draft preliminary desk review and sample evaluation (where applicable) of all tenders in consultation with Technical Specialist and completes Technical Evaluation of all tenders for final approval.
• Supports Technical Specialist to collaborate with Programme Division, Country Offices and/or other UN agencies to find synergy of new supplier base, past performance, availability or use of similar products and appropriateness of products. Methodically reviews UNGM, other commercial media and global market to identify potential supplier for participation in Supply Division manages procurement/solicitations.
• Under the guidance of Technical Specialist collaborates with Product Innovation unit reviews existing commodity group to identify product gaps and propose improvements for disability inclusiveness. In consultation with Technical Specialist investigates global markets, maintains resource files potential sources, and provide updates periodically.
• Work closely with Education contracting team to consult on technical support required for all solicitation. Compiles and drafts for review by Technical Specialist, proposal on product evaluation criteria, sample requirement, In line inspection, Pre-delivery Inspection, Moisture Control to mitigate risk while ensuring product quality.
• Screens for release all incoming in-line inspection, pre-delivery inspection, moisture control report escalating complexities and ambiguity to Technical Specialist. Maintains systematic database inspection report with support of Technical Assistance for timely follow up with suppliers and Quality Assurance Centre.
• Responsible for technical screening of alternative products for emergency response and/or warehouse replenishment, leads and coordinates with supplier to gather all relevant information to propose final outcome to technical specialist.
• Supports Technical Specialist on Special Education Projects. Consults and drafts initial technical input for such initiatives in the best interest of the organization and the project outcome including drafting both product and supplier validation criteria.
• In partnership with the Quality Assurance Center and Contracting Function, evaluates supplier performance and acceptability and delivery record, and general information including financial, historical, and managerial to inform future tender invitee list.
• In partnership with Quality Assurance Centre and Warehouse, reviews Education portfolio product lists are kept updated while coordinating material depletion or write off where necessary. Researches, evaluates, and promotes new products, and promotes development of new technologies when appropriate to meet Programme requirements especially focusing on sustainability and disability inclusiveness.
• Reviews the range of commodities under the Education Unit’s responsibility, as well as the Education Emergency List.
• Supports the Supply function with technical support in field offices by assisting in preparation of special projects that may arise. Any other unplanned objective specifically assigned as per ad-hoc necessities.

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

Education:

A completed 1^st university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in technical field (Education) or relevant discipline is required. Specialist knowledge of commodity area required.  

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of progressive relevant professional experience,
• Experience in procurement /design of general education and products is required.
• Experience in implementing Education programmes in UNICEF (or other agencies) desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and another UN language is required.

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

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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.