New consultancy: Senior Consultant (ICT-GIGA related services), Service Contracting Centre UNIC[...]

UNICEF; Genf; Vor Ort; CHF 90’000 - 120’000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A global organization for children seeks a Senior Consultant to lead large-scale procurement initiatives for Internet connectivity in Geneva. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in procurement, especially in connectivity projects. Responsibilities include overseeing tendering processes and managing vendor relationships, with a focus on strategic procurement for schools and healthcare centers.

Leistungen

Professional development opportunities

Attractive compensation package

Diverse and inclusive work culture

Qualifikationen

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in procurement.
• Strong focus on connectivity and ICT infrastructure projects.
• Ability to resolve complex and sensitive situations under pressure.

Aufgaben

• Lead procurement initiatives for Internet connectivity.
• Oversee competitive tendering processes.
• Manage vendor selection and contract award processes.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure alignment.

Kenntnisse

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Technical understanding of network/connectivity technologies

Ausbildung

Master’s Degree in Procurement, Contract Law, or related field

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Jobbeschreibung

Overview

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 childhood

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

Under the supervision of a Contracts Specialist from the Digital Supply Unit, the Senior Consultant will lead and advise on large-scale procurement initiatives for Internet connectivity and associated services for schools and healthcare centres, primarily for the African continent, in compliance with Giga’s technical requirements and local country expectations. This role requires a strategic thinker and execution-oriented professional with deep knowledge of the public procurement lifecycle, connectivity service specifics and challenges, vendor negotiation, and compliance with regional and international procurement standards.

The consultancy is office-based, in Geneva. UNICEF will facilitate the process for obtaining local permits exclusively for the consultant, excluding any dependents. (For more information on Non-staff members IO based in Geneva, you can visit the linked resource.)

Consultancy scope of work

1. Procurement Strategy & Design:

• Develop and lead procurement strategies at very large scale for Internet connectivity service scope, including, but not limited to:
• Connectivity and communication services, such as internet bandwidth, telecom infrastructure, and managed services;
• Cloud-based solutions and data hosting to support digital tools deployed under Giga;
• Software development and platform services, including SaaS tools for school mapping, contract management, and performance monitoring;
• Digital tools and applications, including geospatial platforms, data visualization dashboards, and mobile/web apps to enable school connectivity tracking;
• ICT hardware and equipment to support school- and country-level infrastructure needs.

• Structure and oversee competitive tendering processes in accordance with UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations and local, regional, and international public procurement laws.
• Support the development of technical tender documents such as Statements of Work (SOWs) and Terms of Reference (TORs) in collaboration with Giga teams and technical partners.

2. Market Engagement & Tender Management:

• Conduct market sounding and supplier prequalification to identify suitable vendors.
• Draft and review RFPs, RFIs, evaluation criteria, and contract documentation.
• Manage vendor selection, bid evaluations, and contract award processes, including contract term drafting and negotiations until the signature of UNICEF Institutional Contracts and Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) with the selected suppliers.

3. Advisory & Capacity Building:

• Advise on scalable sourcing and deployment approaches to maximize value for money and efficiency.
• Provide support and help skill up UNICEF team for Giga as required.

4. Project Management & Risk Mitigation:

• Monitor procurement timelines, risk mitigation strategies, and vendor compliance.
• Ensure quality assurance and adherence to procurement best practices.
• Work as a team with the other members of UNICEF procurement team for Giga.
• Report progress, issues and achievements to GIGA stakeholders.

5. Cross-functional Coordination:

• Collaborate with legal, technical, financial, and project delivery teams to ensure alignment across procurement steps and subsequent implementation phases.
• Liaise with Country Offices, Regional Offices, and global partners as needed to support joint procurement, benchmarking, and efficient delivery of digital solutions.
• Support UNICEF internal processes such as UNICEF Contract Review Committee (CRC) submission.
• Assist with representing the Giga procurement function in internal and external meetings, workshops, and consultations.

What makes a difference

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

1. Procurement Strategy & Design:

• Procurement Strategy Document.
• Internet connectivity service design for all types of schools and health facilities in scope.
• Connectivity service operating model to support digital tools deployed under Giga and connection with Giga SaaS tools for school mapping, contract management, and performance monitoring.
• ICT hardware and equipment validation and documentation to support school- and country-level infrastructure needs.
• Requirement Documentation (SoW, ToR, etc) for tendering processes in accordance with UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations and local, regional, and international public procurement laws.

Delivery deadline: 01.03.2026

2. Market Engagement & Tender Management

• Market survey and supplier prequalification to identify suitable vendors.
• Define RFPs, RFIs, evaluation criteria, and contract documentation.
• Manage vendor selection, bid evaluations, and contract award processes, including contract term drafting and negotiations until contract signature.

Delivery deadline: 30.11.2026

3. Advisory & Capacity Building

• Scalable sourcing and deployment approach document.
• Provide support and help skill up UNICEF team for Giga as required.

Delivery deadline: 30.11.2026

4. Market Engagement & Tender Management

• Market survey and supplier prequalification to identify suitable vendors.
• Define RFPs, RFIs, evaluation criteria, and contract documentation.
• Manage vendor selection, bid evaluations, and contract award processes, including contract term drafting and negotiations until contract signature.

Delivery deadline:

5. Project Management & Risk Mitigation

• Document procurement timelines, risk mitigation strategies, and vendor compliance.
• Monitor and document quality assurance and adherence to procurement best practices.
• Report progress, issues and achievements to Giga stakeholders.

Delivery deadline: 30.11.2026

6. Cross-functional Coordination

• Collaborate with legal, technical, financial, and project delivery teams to ensure alignment and sign-off of all stakeholders.
• Liaise with Country Offices, Regional Offices, and global partners as needed to support joint procurement, benchmarking, and efficient delivery of digital solutions. Support UNICEF internal processes such as UNICEF Contract Review Committee (CRC) submission.
• Assist with representing the Giga procurement function in internal and external meetings, workshops, and consultations.

Delivery deadline: 30.11.2026

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

Minimum requirements

• Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology or related field is required.
• Work Experience: Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in procurement, with a strong focus on connectivity, telecom, or ICT infrastructure projects, including:
  • Internet connectivity solutions (e.g. satellite, fiber, LTE)
  • Network and related hardware (routers, switches, solar backup systems)
  • ICT implementation and Support Service (e.g. managed services, maintenance, service monitoring)
• Skills: Ability to resolve difficult, complex and sensitive situations often under pressure; ability to clearly express ideas in written and oral form; strategic thinking; excellent procurement documentation and stakeholder relationships; strong negotiation skills; planning and reporting; ability to analyze issues and recommend solutions; understanding of end-to-end supply chain; technical understanding of network/connectivity technologies; cultural sensitivity; proven track record of managing large-scale procurements; strong computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); SAP is a plus; ability to adapt to cross-country environments.
• Language: Fluency in English required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

Desirables

• Public or donor-funded initiative experience is highly desirable.
• Experience with African organizations and/or telecom suppliers for delivery in Africa is preferred.
• Knowledge of UNICEF programmes, public procurement principles, and ethics and risk management.
• Experience in cross-border or regional connectivity projects is a plus.
• Understanding of cyber security risks and data security best practices is an asset.
• Experience in market research and outreach in emerging markets is desirable.
• Understanding of pooled procurement frameworks is desirable.
• CIPS or equivalent desirable; PMP or Prince2 a plus.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• Cover letter/application.
• Daily rate and all-inclusive lump-sum for this consultancy.
• At least 3 reference contacts.
• A copy of your highest diploma.

Core UNICEF values and competencies

For every Child, you demonstrate UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability. The UNICEF competencies required for this post include: partnership building, self-awareness and ethical awareness, drive to achieve results, innovation and adaptability, managing ambiguity and complexity, strategic thinking, and collaboration. Familiarize yourself with UNICEF’s competency framework.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child. Our workforce should reflect the diversity of those children. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religion or ethnic background, and from people with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please request it through the accessibility channel on the UNICEF Careers page.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children. All selected candidates will undergo background checks and may need to provide documentation. Medical clearance and, if applicable, vaccination requirements may be required. Appointments may be subject to visa requirements and inoculation rules.

Remarks: UNICEF is committed to inclusive, representative workforce. All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.