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.

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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:

UNICEF Supply Division (SD), based in Copenhagen, is responsible for overseeing UNICEF's global procurement and logistics operation. The Division supports UNICEF Country Offices and partners in achieving UNICEF's priorities by procuring goods and services that meet high standards of quality, ensuring their timely delivery and fit for purpose.

Job organizational context

This position is within the Health Technology Centre (HTC) in UNICEF Supply Division. HTC provides oversight and technical guidance to UNICEF country programmes and partners in procurement of medical devices including in vitro diagnostics medical devices and long-lasting insecticides nets (LLINs) and essential health commodities ensuring that products procured and delivered are fit for purpose.

For every child, Health

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job

The incumbent will collaborate with key internal and external partners in formulating policy guidelines, defining quality and regulatory requirements and applying them to UNICEF procurement of in vitro diagnostics medical devices with a specific focus on Point of Care Diagnostics for children and emergency use in primary and community health settings.

The incumbent will use specialized commodity knowledge, in communication with counterparts in field offices and Programme Division, to establish technical specifications, standards and guidelines for laboratory and point of care diagnostic equipment and supplies requisitioned by UNICEF programmes, specialized UN agencies, governments and non-governmental organizations and will provide technical guidance and advice  on the selection and use of these products to ensure availability and  access to fit for purpose in vitro diagnostics.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Conducts market research, provides analyses, background information, recommendations for improving the suitability and range of products within specialized area, resulting in more appropriate equipment, better delivery and lower costs.
• Creates awareness and understanding of the need for as well as advocates for adequate quality standards and do-no-harm policies.
• Reviews and analyzes UNICEF’s in vitro diagnostics product portfolio, background information and supply guidance, and implement recommendations for improving the suitability and range of products, resulting in more appropriate equipment, better delivery and lower costs of ownership.
• Reviews and develops technical product specifications, quality and regulatory requirements to ensure completeness and appropriateness.
• Develop product guidance notes, technical bulletins and contribute to diagnostics market notes and guide countries on product selection.
• Collaborates with UNICEF Programme Group, Regional Advisers, WHO and other key partners in the diagnostics space and contributes to the formulation of in vitro diagnostics policy guidelines.
• Coordinates and monitors updates of technical specifications for a portfolio of in vitro diagnostic devices included in both the UNICEF database and catalogue.
• Prepare, conduct and/or manage the technical adjudication of tenders for clinical laboratory and point of care diagnostics.
• Supports the Procurement Services Centre in preparing cost estimates for special projects on laboratory and in vitro diagnostics and related services including monitoring timeliness and quality of technical screens.
• Provide guidance and advice to country offices and governments by assisting in needs assessments in programmes or projects aimed at improving access to in vitro diagnostics services and patient access to results.
• Develop and/or contribute to monitoring and evaluation of special projects aimed at improving access to diagnostics services and patient access to results.
• Coordinates cross-center review of in vitro diagnostics needed for emergency response to ensure that products included in emergency response kits are available in the right quality and quantity at the right time.
• Support and contribute to the development of target product profiles (TPPs) for new / innovative products in collaboration with UNICEF internal and external stakeholders.
• Manages a portfolio of in vitro diagnostics and acts as a material owner for a specific commodity group.
• Contributes to development of HTC strategies and work plans, supervises guides and trains staff and evaluates performance.
• Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

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

The following minimum requirements:

Education:

Advanced university degree in clinical laboratory sciences, biomedical sciences. Specialist knowledge and training in vitro diagnostics medical devices quality and regulatory requirements is required.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of progressive work professional experience in clinical laboratory and procurement of diagnostics. Field experience in developing countries managing clinical laboratories and knowledge of policy issues related to in vitro diagnostics use and procurement.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an added advantage.

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 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 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, eligible and suitable candidates 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.

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.