Veterinary/Animal Health Specialist (Retainer)
Location: Addis Ababa
Organization: UNOPS
Deadline: 30-Jan-2025
Job Description
Background Information – Job-specific
UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office is recruiting for the position of Veterinary/Animal Health Specialist (Retainer) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Qualified females and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS are highly encouraged to apply.
Organizational Context
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.
With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.
Horn of Africa Multi Country Office
Established in 2009, Ethiopia Multi-country office, now referred to as the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks within the region. The HAMCO sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Addis Ababa which manages a portfolio of engagements in four (4) Horn of Africa countries (Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan). HAMCO focuses on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR and Transactional Services, and Fund Management services across a wide range of sectors including Health, Education, Agriculture, Resilient infrastructure, among others.
Our goal is to support countries, help people in need and enable our partners through delivering on our mandate of infrastructure, procurement and project management in the countries in the Horn of Africa.
The purpose of this role is to provide research and advisory services on veterinary/animal health, as well as subject matter expertise in the procurement of veterinary/animal health materials, laboratory and medical equipment, veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and related services for UNOPS. The role also involves engaging with internal and external stakeholders, analyzing and monitoring market trends, and developing procurement strategies that align with UNOPS’ business needs.
Background Information – Job-specific
Research and Knowledge Leadership on veterinary/animal health-related materials, equipment, veterinary pharmaceuticals, and related services.
- Provide expertise and leadership in the following areas: veterinary research and subject matter expertise in the procurement of veterinary health-related materials, equipment, veterinary pharmaceuticals, supplies, and related services.
- In close cooperation with the Project and Procurement Teams and various departments/projects within UNOPS, develop and implement appropriate veterinary health procurement product functional specifications, technical evaluation criteria, and participate in the technical evaluation of tenders as a technical expert, focusing on evaluating the functional characteristics of the products/services.
- Keep abreast of market developments; research and analyze statistical data and market reports on the global commodity situation, production patterns, and the availability of goods and services.
- Identify new technologies and innovations in products/services, evaluate and recommend potential supply sources, and update the procurement program as necessary.
- Use category management best practice tools and techniques, including spend analysis, market analysis, stakeholder engagement, risk mapping, and category analysis.
- In coordination with the project manager and procurement officials, develop and implement strategies for UNOPS HAMCO relevant procurement categories.
Sourcing and contract award:
- Develop and implement procurement and contract strategy, including the development of specifications, inclusion of sustainability, tendering, and evaluation.
- Analyze the quality of goods and/or services delivered in relation to the needs of the operation/stakeholder and established global best practice quality standards.
- Assist with cost estimations and assess the reasonableness of costs for the required goods/services.
- Prepare case presentations for review and recommendation by the appropriate contract review body and review other cases as a procurement reviewer.
Guidance and supervision:
- Advise requisitioning units on the procurement process, including the drafting of clear TORs or specifications.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities relevant to the functions.
Impact of results:
The key results will impact the overall efficiency of the Procurement Team and the success of introducing and implementing operational strategies for the Procurement unit in veterinary health-related projects.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
- A Master’s Degree or equivalent, preferably in Veterinary Medicine, Public Health, Veterinary Science, or related fields, is required.
- A Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Veterinary Medicine, Public Health, Veterinary Science, or related fields with 2 additional years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s Degree.
Experience
- A minimum of five (5) years of work experience in veterinary healthcare and/or advisory, research procurement, or management of the supply of veterinary drugs, vaccines, biologicals, laboratory and medical equipment, and supplies is required.
- Knowledge of current national veterinary health standards, regulations, and policies is a distinct asset.
- Experience working with developing nations and/or large global donors is an advantage.
Language
- Fluency in written, spoken, and reading English is required.
- Knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.
