UNICEF Supply Division is looking for a passionate Procurement Specialist to support the execution of the sustainable procurement strategy, including UNICEF SD broad stakeholder management to obtain buy-in and alignment on the implementation of the strategy and tactical plan, as well as indicators and methods for evaluating sustainability as part of vaccine purchase while ensuring an uninterrupted, sustainable vaccine supply of affordable, quality product. The Procurement Specialist will serve as project manager and coordinator of the Vaccine Centre Economic Sustainability connected to the UN (environmental) (ESE) agenda with internal and external stakeholders.
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 Vision
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child at all times, focusing on equity and emphasizing the needs of the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. Supply Division's work continues to be a direct input to development programmes, including delivery of supplies required by programmes working towards the UNICEF SP result areas, and revolves around innovation, influencing markets, supply chain optimisation and capacity development.
Procurement centres are responsible for the supply operation, including strategic market intelligence, forecasting, procurement, delivery, innovation and analysis of product groups and procurement strategies. The contracting function leads in expertise on the supply landscape, markets, value for money and interaction with global partners to increase access and sustainable supply which can be accessed by government buyers.
The incumbent provides technical support and knowledge management related to sustainable procurement (SP), including market assessments related to Environmental Social and Economic sustainability (ESE), internal coordination with sustainability counterparts across business units, as well as account management of suppliers.
This position is located in the Vaccine Centre at Supply Division reporting to the Technical Specialist, Vaccine Centre.
How can you make a difference?
UNICEF Supply Division, Vaccine Unit, procures vaccines and ancillary equipment to low- and middle-income countries globally. To support further development and implementation of sustainability actions in line with the UNICEF Supply Division Strategic Plan and Theory of Change, Vaccine Centre (VC) has developed a vaccine specific strategy and execution plan that will be implemented. This work will be carried out in close collaboration with the Vaccine Centre sustainability leads and Supply Division sustainability focal points.
Primary focus of this job profile will be on supporting the center’s main sustainability strategy, in particular environmental and social sustainability impact via vaccine purchase. Under the guidance of the Vaccine Technology Specialist, the incumbent is expected to support the execution of the sustainable procurement strategy, including UNICEF SD broad stakeholder management to obtain buy-in and alignment on the implementation of the strategy and tactical plan, as well as indicators and methods for evaluating sustainability as part of vaccine purchase while ensuring an uninterrupted, sustainable vaccine supply of affordable, quality product. The individual will serve as project manager and coordinator of the Vaccine Centre ESE agenda with internal and external stakeholders.
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:
- Support strategy and strategic oversight
- Support implementation of sustainable procurement in vaccine tenders and via supplier account management
- Manage projects and drive assessments for climate resilience and climate change mitigation
- Support (strategic) engagement with internal and external partners
- Any other duties or (cross centre) assignments as requested by the supervisor
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
JD - Procurement Specialist (Sustainability)_P3.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: Advanced University degree in business administration, commerce or law or technical field required. Training on Environmental sustainability is required. Training on Social and Economic sustainability is ideal.
- Work Experience: Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional experience including at least three at the international level.
- Expertise in project management, strategy development, market research and stakeholder management is required.
- Knowledge of worldwide (public) vaccine procurement incl. sustainable procurement principles and vaccine industry/market is required.
- Knowledge of the environment in which UNICEF and the UN system operate is required.
- Experience addressing environmental, social and economic sustainability (ESE) connected to the UN (environmental) sustainable development goals and/or greening of industry vision is required.
- Skills: Vaccine, Procurement, Environmental, Sustainability, GHG, International.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.
Desirables:
- Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
- Social Economic, UN, Stakeholder, Analytical, Strategy, Coordination.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
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
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. 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 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.
UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).
The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member's original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.
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.