Project Manager (ADEPT Programme), P-4, Temporary Position for 364 days, Supply Division, COPENHAGEN, #00136772

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.

For every child, the right to a Chance

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the GTLC Logistics Manager, the Project Manager will support the ongoing implementation of the ADEPT Programme in existing and additional countries by improving and building systems that enable faster importation, including fiscal and regulatory processes, and clearance of health products, vaccines, and other commodities. The role will also support global policy engagement, importation process improvement initiatives, and stronger public-private collaboration at global and country levels to ensure the timely, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of essential goods to children and vulnerable communities.

The position is ideally based in Copenhagen. However, in circumstances, a remote arrangement could be considered, with regular travel to countries for diagnostic and workshop missions. 

1. The Project Manager will engage UNICEF offices in mutually agreed countries to support in-country project delivery, as required, by:

• Validating and establishing in-country information and relevant contacts during the initial project validation phase.
• Liaising with relevant stakeholders, including ministries of health and other government agencies, to obtain and maintain support for project activities and working-level collaboration.
• Supporting diagnostic work to map importation processes, including tax exemptions, regulatory approvals, and other clearance requirements.
• Establishing and sourcing the data needed to measure baseline performance and project impact, including time and cost indicators.
• Participating in project governance structures, workshops, and convenings based on diagnostic missions and agreed implementation needs.
• Convening, in coordination with the Alliance, in-country working groups overseeing project implementation, and participating in public-private working groups as needed to support project sustainability.

2. When on mission the Project Manager will collaborate with GATF counterparts on below work assignment overview:

• Convene workshops/joint activities to coordinate the streamlining of the country’s importation processes and procedures and advocate for a single window.
• Enhancing the understanding of each country specificity on importation processes and Customs Clearance requirements to reduce NTBs (non-tariffs barriers) through evidence creation and awareness raising activities.
• Clarify with government the mechanism of financial disbursement between governments agencies and how it affects the importation processes and timelines.
• Establish, in collaboration with the Alliance, the in-country working group overseeing the project implementation as required and participate as needed in public-private working groups in-country to ensure project sustainability. 
• Raise awareness of key stakeholders (Government, Humanitarian and Private Sector) on the benefit of GATF’s initiative in digitalization of the importation processes.

3. Strengthening related partnerships

• Identify key stakeholders that could be strong partners to lobby or collaborate on related activities.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD - Project Manager (ADEPT Programme)_P4_00136772.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Supply Chain, International Business, International Relations, International Trade or Finance or another relevant degree.
• Work Experience: At least 8 years of professional work experience in managing import export of goods and preferably in aid and relief sector with focus on medicines and related equipment/devices required.
• Skills: Process Improvement; Project Implementation; Project Delivery; Collaboration; Verbal and Written Communication Skills; Time Management Skills; Prioritization Skills; Flexibility; Global Policy; Resourcefulness.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Experience in humanitarian logistics, trade facilitation, customs clearance of health products, vaccines supply chains, public private partnerships, working with ministries of health, in import export of medical devices, process digitalization, and experience with single window systems.
• 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.

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.

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.