Contracts Manager (Vaccine Introductions) P-4, FT - Copenhagen, Denmark

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 164,656 USD and 212,289 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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 fulfil 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, an Access to life saving vaccines

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, advocacy, and 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 — their rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — will not only give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also 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 supporting nations' equitable development.

Strategic office context:

Under the general guidance of the Senior Contracts Manager, lead the Vaccine Introductions Unit currently consisting of three teams lead by Contract Specialists (two P3 and one P4) to support the strategic procurement and delivery of new vaccines for the Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) in countries, supported by funding through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, other donors or self-financed by countries.

How can you make a difference?

Under the broad supervision of the Sr Contracts Manager, Vaccine Centre, responsible for managing contracts for new vaccine introductions (PCV, HPV, Rotavirus, JE and Typhoid Conjugate), and relationships with industry including strategic engagement through coordination with other centres in SD and other Divisions within UNICEF, representing SD in multiple partnership fora, leading discussions with suppliers and partners on supply and demand, oversight of procurement activities and contracts management, identification of risks and development of risk mitigation strategies for vaccine introductions in order to achieve vaccine security within these markets, deliver the best value for money and support the sustainable introduction of vaccines to the routine EPI immunization schedule. Estimated procurement values of >$500 million per annum.

You will be accountable for:

• In close collaboration with Sr Contracts Manager, plan, direct and coordinate advisory services on supply matters in the area of introductions of new and underutilized vaccines to low and middle-income countries.
• In collaboration with UNICEF Programme Division, GAVI, WHO, NGOs, industry and other partners, support the development of market roadmaps.
• Oversee the creation of procurement strategies, tenders and long-term agreements to meet the needs of countries.
• Ensure procurement is conducted in compliance with UN Financial Rules and Regulations, Division Procedures, Vaccine Procurement Principles, in support of Vaccine Security and other procurement objectives.
• Recommend policy procedures and guidelines in close collaboration with Sr Contracts Manager and Vaccine Center Chief, for evaluation of offers, contracts and agreements to meet procurement objectives.
• Participate in major strategic meetings with UNICEF Programme Division, WHO, GAVI and other partners on global supply policy issues to ensure the objectives of Vaccine Security are met.
• Represent UNICEF at major meetings and conferences for vaccines in portfolio, relating to strategies and policy development for the supply of appropriate products and services and procurement.
• Maintain excellent communication/co-ordination with other groups on issues that affect vaccines and related products. Liaise with other centres regarding strategic issues related to vaccine portfolio.
• Guide market research, ensure adequate long-term forecasting and facilitate communication of such to and from programmes, industry and partners.
• Manage the relevant Unit and provide assistance to overall management of the Vaccine Center. Establish work plans and priorities, monitor achievements and evaluate performance of staff.

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

Education

• Advanced University degree in business administration, commerce, pharmaceuticals, law or technical field required.

* A relevant first level university degree in the above areas combined with two years of relevant progressively responsible professional experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced degree (Master's).

Work Experience

• Minimum eight years of progressively responsible professional experience including at least three at the international level in the field of vaccine and pharmaceuticals.
• Experience in commercial activities with the public or private sector in developing and industrialized countries.
• Experience with worldwide procurement, contract negotiations and administration, combined with broader economic knowledge.
• Experience managing a team of professionals, align strategic objectives, and demonstrate impact.

Required knowledge

• Knowledge of worldwide public procurement, contract negotiations and administration.
• Experience with management of complex, strategic supplies.
• Knowledge of vaccine and/or international health programmes and global partnerships.
• Ability to contribute to legal contracts and negotiate with suppliers.
• Ability to manage and monitor the effective use of financial and material resources.
• Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience.
• Ability to resolve difficult, complex and sensitive situations.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills to staff and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Good knowledge of computer applications.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an 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: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

The core 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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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. 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.

Remarks:

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

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/

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

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). 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.