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, Love…

The Product Innovation Centre (PIC) within Supply Division (SD) works closely with internal and external partners to drive R&D and scale of new innovative products to improve the lives of children. This is done by identifying needs not appropriately met by products currently available and then scanning the market to see if there are products that can meet this need. If yes, we procure and scale the products, if no, we drive R&D utilizing develops product profiles to specify the performance a product has to deliver and incentivize R&D, using our procurement and implementation power. In addition, PIC is mandated to push the envelope of the organization in terms of coming up with new innovative concepts to influence R&D of products beyond UNICEF’s procurement, evolve the global thinking around product innovation for development/humanitarian contexts as well as to develop new ways of driving scale of products. Key to these ambitions is an aim to ensure most impact for disadvantages children for the resources available, always pushing for value for money of products.

The Product Innovation Centre operates within public procurement practices to drive research and development (R& D), validation and implementation of new products to address programmatic and/or emergency needs. In instances where there are no products in a procurable form on the market, a Product Innovation Project (PIP) is initiated with the ultimate goal of enabling procurement of fit-for-purpose and value-for-money supplies across all UNICEF program areas.

Key Tasks
Under the supervision of the Innovation Manager, Product Innovation Center, and working closely with the Health Technology Centre at UNICEF, the objective of this consultancy is to provide technical support throughout the tendering process for a full range of Hearing aids from the creation, review and finalization of tender specifications up until Direct Order Long Term Arrangements (DO LTAs) are in place for these products.

Timeline
The ambition is to complete and evaluate the tenders within 2024, but the contract 90 days over a period 12 months to allow for delays in releasing the tenders given the currently unpredictable nature of global procurement. If there are significant delays, the contract length may be extended further, in consultation with the consultant.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will be responsible for ensuring the following deliverables are achieved:

Pre-tender deliverables (approx. 45 days and 45% of Consultancy):

1. Review Existing Tender to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
2. Explore and clearly define the requirement for inclusion of Rechargeable Hearing Aids and Batteries.
3. Finalized tender specifications for a full range of both pre-programmable and programmable hearing aids (number of products to be decided) using WHO specs as inputs and ensuring children’s needs are catered for.
4. Draft the technical evaluation scoring table/criteria/framework for product evaluation.
5. Develop a list of invitees for tender
6. Author technical materials developed in Powerpoint format for pre-tender industry consultation.
7. Lead the pre-tender technical consultation and develop technical document to transparently report on questions and answers from the meeting.
8. Finalized technical sheets for all products.
9. Develop transparent testing program for both sample evaluation and subsequent technical evaluation.

Deliverables during tender process and technical evaluation (approx. 45 days and 45% of Consultancy):

1. Documentation of clarifications communicated with suppliers while tender is out.
2. Participate in sample evaluation.
3. Complete technical evaluation of tender bids
4. Revised technical cards for database input as appropriate.
5. Technical materials developed for webinar on Direct Order Long Term Arrangements (DO LTAs) for the full range of hearing aids.
6. Revisions to relevant sections of the Technical Guidance document related to procurement.

10% of work – During the 90 days, it is also expected that the Consultant will share update on the progress of the product to the relevant coordination committee; and support with presentation and provide guidance.

This position will work on site or remotely.

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

An advanced university degree University degree in data science, global health, marketing, research, innovation, social science or
related field

Minimum five years of relevant, progressively responsible, professional experience is required

Academic:
University degree in a health-related university degree, preferably in a vision related field including ophthalmology, optometry, orthoptics, engineering, biomedical engineering or related disciplines. Advanced degree (Masters) preferred.

Professional Experience and Knowledge:

1. Hands-on working experience with vision development, procurement or evaluation is required.
2. Experience with writing specifications and tender material is required.
3. Specialist technical knowledge of Incontinence products is required, and experience of UN procurement processes is a strong asset.
4. Experience with and knowledge of differing target group is a strong asset.

Further, the following areas are an asset and will be factored into the evaluation of applicants:

1. High level of technical writing expertise.
2. High level of analytical skills and attention to detail.
3. Understanding of assistive technology and its target groups in low resource settings.
4. Knowledge of regulations and standards in assistive technology industry (ISO, etc.).
5. Knowledge of MS Office Suite, especially Excel.
6. Knowledge of the environment in which UNICEF operates (i.e., global health sector)

Functional Competencies:

1. Able to work independently and problem solving oriented.
2. Able to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.
3. Demonstrated communication and relationship building skills.
4. Proven capacity to work with collaborative teams across different locations and with different technical skills.
5. Able to quickly understand instructions, to proactively seek clarification when needed.
6. Able to work well in a team environment.
7. Excellent communicator of verbal and written concepts to an international audience.

Language Requirements:
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

Candidates should stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.
Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in
case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of
the consultant

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit  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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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: 

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.