Principal Adviser, Vaccine Centre, P-6, Supply Division, Copenhagen, Denmark (#18637)

Overview

Lead Vaccine Centre to ensure access to quality vaccines and immunization supplies.

You have:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Business/Management, pharmaceutical science, Public Health, epidemiology, law or other related disciplines.
• A minimum of 13 years of relevant professional experience in health procurement programmes with knowledge of vaccines and other products required for immunization programmes and of worldwide markets.
• Senior experience in public procurement and influencing markets is required.
• Proven management experience.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Contract

This is a D-1 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 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 227,811 USD and 287,475 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 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.

For every child, health.

UNICEF supplies vaccines to over 100 countries, reaching 45% of the world’s children under 5. We have the largest footprint in vaccine markets, and have significant influence on vaccine markets in terms of security, affordability and quality assurance of products available to protect populations from Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs). With presence in 147 countries, UNICEF has the comparative advantage of our relationship with country governments, combined with a proven experience from the upstream collaboration with vaccine manufacturers and market shaping, to the delivery of vaccines and support to the design and implementation of immunization programmes and campaigns. Additionally, in consideration of our presence through National Committees, UNICEF’s global reach is an opportunity to leverage our interaction in all countries, through the universal programme of immunization.

A core member of the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF has a well-respected and recognized role in influencing vaccine markets through our role as the lead procurement agency for Gavi, collaborating with an extensive network of partners at various levels and has been convening on a yearly basis industry stakeholder (Vaccine Industry Consultations), and country engagement (Vaccine Practitioners Forum and Network).

As the lead procurement agency to support supply requirements for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, lead on the Supply and Demand Working Groups under the Measles Rubella Initiative, the Eliminate Yellow Fever Strategy and the Global Task Force for Cholera Control, UNICEF possesses unique experience in stockpile management of vaccines, supply and logistics for vaccines and vaccine related supplies in country, in addition to demand generation and communication support through our Programme Division.

The position is housed in the Vaccine Centre in Supply Division and is one of 5 procurement centres. The Principal Adviser, Vaccines will lead Supply Division’s work on access to affordable, quality assured vaccines and immunization related supplies. Immunizations have contributed to dramatic reductions in child morbidity and mortality, with returns up to $44 for every $1 spent on childhood immunizations. Bringing vaccines utilization to scale across countries requires a tailored, strategic approach to align supply availability with demand.

You will be accountable for:

Under the direct supervision of the Director Supply Division, lead the Vaccine Centre with support of the Senior Contracts Managers and Unit Leads in the Centre and their teams, provides management oversight across the Vaccine Centre, setting goals and strategic directions in the area of vaccine and related supplies for the work of the teams as per the UNICEF Strategic Plan and organizational priorities, Office Management Plan, Strategies and Centre workplans as well as:

• Supports country programmes on supply policy issues and advisory services on supply matters relevant to vaccines. Recommends policy changes related to vaccine supply and services. Sets objectives, directs and implement the development of market strategies, procurement approaches and contractual framework in close collaboration with other Supply Division Centre Chiefs, Deputy Directors, partners and industry ensuring the objectives of vaccine security are met.
• Advise Divisional Director on preparedness and response strategy and oversee vaccine related emergency response during outbreaks, epidemic and pandemic – Currently the COVID-19 pandemic, includes leading strategic and technical engagement in COVAX Facility ensuring efficient and effective supply operation for procurement and delivery of COVID19 vaccines, as well as for future outbreaks.
• Ensures procurement is conducted in compliance with UN Financial Rules and Regulations, Division Procedures, Vaccine Procurement Principles and in support of Vaccine Security, including evaluation of offers and establishment of final contracts agreements till safety delivery to country programmes.
• Budget steward responsibility for program related funds assigned.
• In collaboration with regional offices ensures quality-assured vaccine supply by establishing priorities and evaluation of services provided in context of regional supply strategies. Input to development of immunization supply analysis and strategies of country programmes.

Partnership development and coordination

• Ensures close coordination with partners engaged in the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) and leads internal coordination in UNICEF vis a vis immunization related procurement and supply activities and guidance.
• Participates in major strategic meetings with Programme Division, WHO and Gavi on global supply policy issues in support of the objectives of Vaccine Security.
• Leads strategic Industry and Partner consultations on access, procurement and market shaping of vaccines and immunization related supplies.
• Represents UNICEF at major meetings and conferences in relation to immunization, relating to strategies and policy development for the supply of appropriate products and services and procurement approach.

Strategic procurement framework development

• Leads, guides and coordinates strategies for procurement of vaccines, and contributes to strategies of other immunization related supplies.
• Develop strategic procurement tactics and negotiations strategies. Develop vaccine industry engagement strategies and support UNICEF senior executive level engagement.
• Guides market research identify gaps and interdependencies, ensures adequate long-term forecasting and facilitates communication of such to and from programmmes, industry and partners.
• Oversee Vaccine Centre operational key performance indicators, implementation of strategic tender calendar, establishment of strategic stock piles, releases of supply agreements and orders.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Business/Management, pharmaceutical science, Public Health, epidemiology, law or other related disciplines.
• A minimum of 13 years of relevant professional experience in health procurement programmes with knowledge of vaccines and other products required for immunization programmes and of worldwide markets.
• Senior experience in public procurement and influencing markets.
• Proven management experience very important.
• Strategic leadership and soft skills.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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.

Core competencies:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (3)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3)
• Works Collaboratively with others (3)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (3)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (3)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (3)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

The functional competencies required for this post are...

• Analyzing (Level 3)
• Deciding and Initiating Action (Level 3)

• Persuading and Influencing (Level 3)

  View our competency framework at

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:

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.

Potential interview questions