UNICEF Pacific Consultancy: Supply Chain Consultancy for Assistive Technology (AT), Remote, 200 days over 24 Months

UNICEF Pacific is in search of a dedicated and proactive consultant. The consultancy is for a period of 200 days over 24 months and is a home-based consultancy assignment with a minimum of one visit each to Kiribati, Vanuatu and FSM for the entire duration of the assignment. The consultant will provide specialized technical expertise in assistive technology procurement, logistics, and supply chain systems playing a critical role in bridging gaps in Assistive Technology (AT) systems in three Pacific countries (Kiribati, Vanuatu and FSM). As well as ensuring the successful implementation of the ATscale programme and supporting PIC governments to achieve long-term sustainability and ownership of AT procurement and supply chain systems. Day-to-day monitoring and supervision of the consultant will be provided by the Procurement Services Specialist at the UNICEF Pacific Multi-Country Office, with overall guidance and supervision from the Chief of Health and Nutrition Unit. The consultant is expected to commence work on 15 January 2026.

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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to support.

In the Pacific we work in Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu: These 14 Pacific island countries are home to 2.3 million people, including 1.2 million children and youth, living on more than 660 islands and atolls stretching across 17.2 million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean, an area comparable to the combined size of the United States of America and Canada. Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu are classified as Fragile States according to World Bank/OECD criteria.

All 14 Pacific Island countries and territories have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but only a third are on track with reporting obligations. Explore the different areas of our work here: UNICEF Pacific Islands.

How can you make a difference? 

• Strengthen national ownership and leadership of AT procurement systems – Through technical assistance, training, and the development of standardized tools, national governments will have improved capacity to plan, forecast, and manage AT procurement. This will reduce dependency on external actors, enabling countries to progressively lead and sustain their AT supply chain operations.
• Improve coordination of AT products from multiple sources - Support countries in integrating all AT supplies, whether procured, donated, or grant-funded, into national supply plans. This coordination will minimize duplication, reduce gaps, and ensure that all products meet consistent quality standards and align with national priorities.
• Establish regional database of pre-qualified AT suppliers for long-term use by PICs – Develop a comprehensive, up-to-date database of qualified suppliers (covering vision, hearing, and mobility products). This tool will enable governments and partners to make informed procurement decisions, foster competitive pricing, and reduce lead times for AT procurement in the region.
• Enhance capacity for AT logistics, stock management, and maintenance - Integrate AT procurement into existing health and education logistics systems, this will strengthen national warehousing, inventory management, and distribution networks. A dedicated AT maintenance strategy should be developed to ensure the sustainability and usability of devices such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, and other products.
• Document operational lessons to guide future AT procurement strategies in the Pacific. Throughout the project, you are to capture key lessons, challenges, and best practices to inform future AT procurement policies, donor investments, and collaborative initiatives. This knowledge will create a roadmap for scaling and sustaining AT provision beyond the life of the project.

This consultancy will serve as a cornerstone for building a resilient AT ecosystem in the Pacific. By bridging critical gaps in procurement, logistics, and maintenance, the assignment will directly improve access to quality assistive products for children and other vulnerable populations. Moreover, the consultant’s work will leave behind a robust foundation, including standardized processes, trained personnel, and market intelligence, that national governments and partners can build upon for years to come. The success of this assignment is therefore important for both the immediate objectives of the ATscale programme and the long-term vision of inclusive, sustainable AT systems across the Pacific region.

Please refer to the  ToR 2025 - Supply Chain Consultancy for AT.pdf for further information on the deliverables and the timelines. 

GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS:  

Please submit the following application documents:

• A cover letter explaining suitability for position
• Detailed CV, with the entries that are relevant to the below requirements presented in bold or highlighted text.
• Writing samples as requested in work experience requirements.
• Financial offer in a separate attachment, stating all-inclusive lump sum amount with a breakdown for the following:
  • Applicant’s professional fees (rate per day) - based on the deliverables in the Terms of Reference
  • Travel (economy air ticket to Fiji and inter-pacific travel costs to Kiribati, Vanuatu and FSM).
  • Living allowance for approximately 21 days (7 days for each country - Kiribati, Vanuatu and FSM) that the consultant will work away from his/her base.
  • other travel-related costs (visas, terminal fees, etc.).

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Supply Chain Management, Public Health, Biomedical Engineering, Health Economics, Logistics, International Development, or a related field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in health or assistive technology (AT) procurement and supply chain systems, preferably in low-resource settings and/or in government or donor-funded programmes.
• Proven experience with AT product categories (vision, hearing, mobility aids), including development of technical specifications, procurement strategies, SOPs, and maintenance frameworks.
• Experience conducting system reviews, landscape analyses, market research, and supplier mapping/databases, including end‑to‑end supply chain assessment (procurement, warehousing, distribution, maintenance).
• Demonstrated ability to produce high‑quality reports, guidance documents, and operational tools (writing samples required).

Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to propose practical, context‑appropriate solutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience engaging government officials, UN agencies, NGOs, and donor partners.
• Ability to work across sectors (health, education, disability, social protection) and facilitate capacity‑building and technical consultations.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English required; familiarity with Pacific Island contexts or languages 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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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. The selected candidate is solely responsible for ensuring that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, program delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.