Contracts Officer, P-2, Temporary Position, 364 days, Supply Division, COPENHAGEN, #00134584

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.

How can you make a difference?

Supply Division, Copenhagen is looking for a talent Contracts Officer for its Solar & Oxygen Unit of the Infrastructure and Energy Centre (IEC). The IEC plays a double role in Supply Division: It provides technical assistance to countries, SD Centres and Programmes, while at the same time acts as a procurement unit focused on delivering solar and oxygen solutions. This includes providing services that strengthen the delivery of sustainable health care services for child. If you are passionate by this job, please apply.

Join our team...

Under the general supervision of the Project manager of the Solar & Oxygen Unit in IEC, manage the commercial activities related to the increasing demand for solar and oxygen equipment and related services, executing procurement in accordance with the UNICEF Rules and Regulations. Develop and implement procurement strategies, including proposing methods of purchase. Monitors and reports on supplier performance, market development, procurement history for the related products, incorporation of innovation and engagement in project implementation.

For every Child, key end results

• Rapid and relevant responses and assistance provided to evolving supply needs and situations, including emergency situations, with a specific focus on Procurement Services related demand for solar equipment and services.
• Integrity, standards and accountability monitored, administered and maintained by implementing sound, accurate supply/logistics management systems, procedures, documentation and accurate reporting.
• Effective collaboration and partnership in supply / procurements / purchasing / contracting / logistics with internal and external counterparts developed and maintained through better coordination, communication and networking.
• Effective partnership agreements concluded and relationships managed, to ensure timely procurement, delivery, utilisation and monitoring of quality and movement of supply assistance, as well as for contingency planning purposes for Humanitarian action in line with the Core commitments for children in Humanitarian action

For every Child, a Champion...

1. Ensures all procurement activities are in compliance with the UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations, Supply Procedures and Guidance, and all other applicable procurement procedures.
2. Issues international tender invitations to acceptable suppliers, evaluates quotations, clarifies offers and negotiates with suppliers, as appropriate.
3. Makes recommendations for finalization of purchases, adjudicates offers in consultation with Technical and QA Centres. Prepares and defends submissions to CRC.
4. Establishes Long Term Agreements and Direct Order Contracts.
5. Supports the Centre and the Supply Financing Centre with preparation of Price Estimates.
6. Reviews and provides recommendations for Local Procurement by Field Offices.
7. Reviews material specifications and requirements with the Technical and QA Centres to ensure completeness and appropriateness.
8. In partnership with QA and Technical, evaluates suppliers with respect to delivery performance, product acceptability and commercial acceptability.
9. Assists in preparation of all information materials, updating of data bases and management systems for use by HQs, Field Offices or Regional Offices.
10. Performs as a liaison in communicating with other centres regarding implementation of procurement cycle.
11. Establishes work plans and priorities, monitors achievements and evaluates performance of support staff.
12. Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD - Contracts Officer_P2_134584.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in Business Administration, Commerce or Law or related technical field.
• Work Experience: At least 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience, preferably at the international level. Knowledge of worldwide procurement, contract negotiations and administration. Experience in procurement of complex medical equipment and devices or comparable products as well as services. Experience in procurement of solar systems and related services. Experience in managing/coordinating complex projects. Experience in managing complex data using various applications, f.ex. Microsoft Word, Excel, Power BI, etc. Experience in handling logistics/supply chain issues. Excellent communication skills and experience in guiding country office/partners/programme/third party in procurement of goods and services. Positive experience in leading and managing teams.
• Skills: Data Analysis, Negotiation Skills, Financial Management, Timely judgment, Advanced Excel Skills, Microsoft Office, Service Contracting, Management, SAP/Vision Experience
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Procurement and contract experience preferably within infrastructure management is an asset.
• 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

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.  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.