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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Essential Medicines 

Strategic Office Context and Purpose for the Job

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

UNICEF Supply Division plays a crucial role during emergencies by mobilizing and shipping essential life-saving supplies and providing technical support in in-country logistics.

While emergency supplies are increasingly planned as part of long-term programmes (Humanitarian-development continuum), there is a need for urgent procurement of country-specific products for the intermediate transition period. UNICEF response includes a substantial increase in supply and distribution of country-specific and Standard Health kits and increased procurement support to countries transitioning out of emergencies (L2/L3).

How can you make a difference?

The purpose for the job 

The Medicines and Nutrition Centre (MNC) is part of Supply Division and is responsible for sourcing and procurement of medicines and nutrition supplies globally for UNICEF. The position will be in the Medicines Technical Unit and will be responsible for the development of product specifications, technical requirements, active sourcing, and technical dossier evaluations for complex and challenging portfolio of medicines.

Under the direct supervision of the Technical Manager and dotted reporting line to the Technical Specialist, Pharma Technical Unit, the incumbent will support MNC to ensure beneficiaries access quality, safe and efficacious medicines.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Develop technical specifications for the products identified, taking into consideration UNICEF quality standards and context of use.
2. Perform technical dossier and sample assessment in line with UNICEF quality standards and requirements, in collaboration with Quality Assurance Center.
3. Prepare technical guidance documents as needed.
4. Ensures that product complaints are handled in collaboration with Quality Assurance Centre in line with Division Quality Control Procedures
5. Review technical cards if necessary.
6. Conduct market research, and provide analyses, background information, and recommendations for improving the suitability and range of products.
7. Apply active sourcing methods and tools to scope the market for products with market challenges.
8. Prepare technical aspects of tender documents.
9. Perform any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Pharmacy or related technical field. A Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy with Master’s degree in a field relevant to global health, such as, Masters in regulatory science, Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical formulations

Work Experience:

1. Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional work experience relevant to medicines and nutrition products. This should include product dossier assessments for procurement or regulatory registration.
2. Experience related to global health such as public health would be an added asset.

 Technical Expertise:

1. Ability to evaluate technical information such as Stability studies, Comparative dissolution, analytical methods, Certificates of analysis, manufacturing processes and process validation, Manufacturing quality control measures, and product usability.
2. Good understanding of International Council for Harmonization (ICH) quality guidelines http://www.ich.org/products/guidelines/quality/article/quality-guidelines.html
3. Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications, in particular, Excel.

Desirables:

Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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 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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, all 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.

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.