The Technical Specialist will manage the Oxygen Plant-in-a-Box project and is lead and focal point for countries implementing Plant-in-a-box and will manage the project’s Transition to Scale in countries.
Technical Officer (Oxygen Plant in a Box), P3
Temporary Appointment (364 days)
Health Technology Centre, 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.
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:
On an annual basis UNICEF globally procures over $4bn worth of goods, many of which feature in UNICEF’s product catalogue. This position is located in the Technical team of the Medical Device Unit (MDU) within the Health Technology Centre reporting to the MDU Technical Specialist P4 (HTC), with a dotted line and matrix reporting to the Health Innovation Manager P4 (Product Innovation Centre (PIC)).
The core function of the MDU is to ensure that the Medical Device product portfolio procured and supplied by UNICEF is safe, fit-for-purpose and meets the required quality standards. The Product Innovation Centre is responsible for driving the research and development (R&D) and subsequent scale of the next generation of products, considering both the supply and the demand side, that will accelerate results for children. Within this architecture the Technical Specialist is responsible for leading all technical and implementation aspects of the Oxygen Plant-in-a-box project, which currently comprises 12 PSA plant packages in the UNICEF catalogue and a suite of supporting materials. The incumbent will work with both centres to manage the implementation of ‘Plant-in-a-Box’ across at least 20 countries as this project transitions to scale.
How can you make a difference?
Under the general guidance of the P4 Technical Specialist and the Product Innovation Centre, the incumbent will manage the Oxygen Plant-in-a-Box project and is lead and focal point for countries implementing Plant-in-a-box and will manage the project’s Transition to Scale in countries.
Applies specialized product knowledge, and in collaboration with counterparts in country and regional offices and Program Division, manages technical specifications, standards and guidelines, and technical support and screenings for procurement of Oxygen Plant-in-a-Box and related consumables and equipment requisitioned by UNICEF programs and specialized UN agencies, governments and non-governmental organizations on a procurement services basis.
Supports UNICEF’s strategies to strengthen country capacity in the supply of PSA plants and related roll-out plans.
Advises on next steps for Oxygen Plant-in-a-Box and uses learnings from the project to establish technical specifications for future tenders for PSA plants.
Key responsibilities will be:
- Reviews, develops, and maintains technical supply specifications and requirements to ensure completeness and appropriateness of the Plant-in-a-Box materials in the catalogue in collaboration with the Material Owner (Technical Specialist, HTC).
- Advises programmes and partners on technical matters relating to Plant-in-a-Box. Reviews programmatic needs and clarifies requests, proposing substitute or alternatives as necessary.
- Supports Procurement Services Centre and MDU Commercial team by undertaking technical screenings for cost estimates for Plant in a Box and related items. Including estimate of total project costs as necessary.
- Supports UNICEF country offices and government partners by assisting in needs assessments for Plant in a Box, working closely with the UNICEF Oxygen System Planning Tool team as required.
- Contributes to technical capacity building in UNICEF Offices and implementing partners to ensure successful implementation of Plant in a Box, and full integration of the plants into the wider oxygen infrastructure in country.
- Maintains resource bank of supporting materials for implementation of Plant-in-a-Box
- Works closely with Oxygen Technical Assistance team in Supply Chain Strengthening Centre and Programme Group to ensure optimal and efficient roll out and smooth information flow.
- Maintains oversight of all Plant-in-a-Box projects in countries to ensure learnings are embedded across the division and into the future tender for Plant-in-a-Box 2.0.
- Any other duties or assignments as requested by supervisor.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Required:
- A Completed Advanced degree (Masters or above) in applied science or engineering (biomedical, mechanical, or electrical engineering), or other relevant subject.
*A first University degree with minimum seven years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree
- Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience, including management of projects, oxygen delivery systems, supporting program implementation of products.
- Strong planning and project management skills.
- Specialist knowledge of oxygen delivery systems.
- Experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
- Fluency in English.
Desired:
- Field experience in developing countries related to implementing oxygen delivery products/systems in low resource settings.
- Hands-on experience in implementation of oxygen delivery systems including PSA plant.
- Experience in producing detailed technical guidance and SOPs for use and maintenance of medical devices.
- Experience in public procurement.
- Knowledge of another UN language (French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese).
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
Competencies:
- Builds and maintains partnerships
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
- Drive to achieve results for impact
- Innovates and embraces change
- Thinks and acts strategically
- Manages ambiguity and complexity
- Works collaboratively with others
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.
Remarks:
- This vacancy announcement is open to all candidates.
- For UNICEF Fixed-Term staff members, the 1-year time in post must be observed to apply for another position.
- This Temporary Appointment (TA) is part of the COVID-19 Emergency Response, and if a locally recruited UNICEF staff member on a continuing or fixed-term appointment is appointed to this TA IP role, that staff member may retain a lien to their current post for the duration of the assignment subject to approval by the Head of Office of the current duty station.
- UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at: http://www.whed.net/
- Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.