Deputy Director (Immunization Supply)

The Deputy Director, Immunization Supply leads the Immunization Supply Pillar within UNICEF's Supply Division, overseeing vaccine procurement, cold chain systems, and related infrastructure to support immunization and health programmes globally. The role involves strategic leadership, partnership development, and ensuring vaccine security in collaboration with key partners such as Gavi and WHO.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Immunization Supply Pillar, providing management oversight across the Vaccine Centre and Energy & Infrastructure Centre, setting goals and strategic directions aligned with UNICEF Strategic Plan and organizational priorities.
• Support country programmes on supply policy issues and advisory services on vaccine supply matters; recommend policy changes related to vaccine supply and services.
• Advise Divisional Director on preparedness and response strategy and oversee vaccine related emergency response during outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics.
• Ensure procurement compliance with UN Financial Rules and Regulations, Division Procedures, Vaccine Procurement Principles, and support Vaccine Security objectives.
• Manage budget stewardship for program related funds assigned.
• Collaborate with regional offices to ensure quality-assured Immunization supply and contribute to development of immunization supply analysis and strategies of country programmes.
• Ensure close coordination with partners engaged in the Immunization Agenda 2030 and lead internal coordination in UNICEF on immunization related procurement and supply activities.
• Participate in major strategic meetings with Programme Division, WHO and Gavi on global supply policy issues.
• Lead strategic Industry and Partner consultations on access, procurement and market shaping of vaccines and immunization related supplies.
• Represent UNICEF at major meetings and conferences related to immunization strategies and policy development.
• Lead, guide and coordinate strategies for procurement of Immunization Supplies and contribute to strategies of other immunization related supplies.
• Develop strategic procurement tactics and negotiation strategies; develop vaccine industry engagement strategies and support UNICEF senior executive level engagement.
• Guide market research, identify gaps and interdependencies, ensure adequate long-term forecasting and facilitate communication with programmes, industry and partners.
• Lead, manage and develop people resources to promote technical competence and foster career progression and retention of an agile workforce.
• Promote an environment of management excellence, staff well-being, accessibility and inclusion through implementation of strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Foster behaviors that focus on delivering results for children while balancing risk informed decisions, policy compliance and flexibility.
• Coordinate human resource development and resourcing strategies to bring about changes in knowledge, skills, abilities and mindsets for Immunization Pillar Teams.
• Keep abreast of industry standards and institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge with global/regional colleagues to contribute to organizational development initiatives and strengthen professional capabilities.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Business/Management, pharmaceutical science, Public Health, epidemiology, law or other related disciplines.
• A minimum of thirteen (13) years of relevant professional experience in health procurement programmes with knowledge of vaccines and other products required for immunization programmes and of worldwide markets.
• Senior experience in public procurement and influencing markets.
• Proven management experience very important.
• Strategic leadership and soft skills.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Skills

• Health Product Procurement
• Vaccine Procurement and Distribution
• Immunization Supply Chain Systems
• Cold Chain Management
• Public Sector Procurement
• Market Analysis
• Strategic Leadership
• Programme Management
• Partnership Development
• Vaccine Security
• Supply Chain Management
• Pharmaceutical Science
• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Management Experience

Languages

English