Health Specialist Polio Coordinator, P-4, FT, Kinshasa, DRC #121822 (Open to non-nationals of the DRC)

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For every child, care

Despite the African region being certified free of wild polio virus, since 2022, Africa is facing a resurgence of wild polio virus type 1 cases and persistent outbreaks of cVDPV2 and cVDPV1 (polio viruses).

The DRC has been certified free of wild poliovirus since 2015. However, the country has faced outbreaks of circulating variant poliovirus (cVDPV1 and 2) since 2017. To date, there have been 24 separate outbreaks and transmissions linked to cases from Angola, Burundi and the Central African Republic, with a total of 1,066 cases, reported in 185 health zones and spread across 25 provinces. To date, 10 outbreaks remain active. The highest number of cases was recorded in 2022, i.e. 531 cases (around 50% of cases) with co-circulation of type 1 and 2 poliovirus variants.  In 2023, 280 cases of circulating variant polio were reported, including 172 of type 2 and 108 of type 1. A case of VDPV3 has also been reported in one province. The DRC has already exported the virus to 6 neighboring countries: Congo, Burundi, Botswana, Malawi, CAR and Zambia in 2023. The DRC is the country in the African region most at risk of polio and the priority country in the efforts of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

How can you make a difference? 

Under the administrative direction and technical guidance of the Senior Immunization Manager the incumbent will provide strategic and technical support to the Ministry of Health and the Polio Emergency Organization Committee (COUP). It will ensure the strategic and political positioning of UNICEF in the major decision-making institutions and meetings in the context of the fight against polio in the DRC.

He/she will be responsible for coordinating the UNICEF team in charge of the fight against Polio.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Internal coordination of support provided by UNICEF within the DRC Global Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the Ministry of Health and Polio Emergency Operations Committee (COUP).
• Support the coordination of the preparation and implementation of the “plan to interrupt the circulation of circulating vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (cVDPV2).
• Support big catch up of children zero dose and under immunized.
• Work in close collaboration with the regional office and UNICEF headquarters.
• Collaborate with the Ministry of Public Health, WHO and other GPEI partners in finalizing, updating, and monitoring the implementation of the plan to interrupt the circulation of cVDPV2 in the DRC and ensure that aspects of vaccine management and communication for development are taken into account.
• Participate actively in national coordination meetings before, during and after the response.
• Ensure that the entire process of planning, implementing, and monitoring-evaluating the vaccine response plan is properly prepared:
• Advocate with the authorities, in collaboration with other partners, for the effective involvement of the political and administrative authorities in the response.
• Participate in the evaluations of each phase of the response as well as in the final evaluation of the immunization response.
• Ensure the organization of independent post-campaign monitoring activities with the WHO and the analysis of the results of these Independent Monitoring and LQAS.
• Prepare a fortnightly situation report to be sent to the country office, Regional Office.
• Draft the general report on the response, highlighting good practice, lessons learned and recommendations.
• Ensure effective and efficient management of allocated funds.
• Design financial resource mobilization plans and submit the various reports to donors on time.
• Support the monitoring and preparation of responses to other epidemics.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JD_Health Specialist Polio Coordinator, P-4, FT, Kinshasa, DRC.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A doctorate degree in medicine and a specialization/master’s degree in public health/epidemiology preferably or in an equivalent field.
• Work Experience:
  • At least 8 years of relevant work experience in Polio, public health and immunization, preferably in developing countries.
  • Proven experience in coordinating and managing teams within the framework of the GPEI and other accelerated initiatives to combat vaccine-preventable diseases.
  • Experience in organizing Polio campaigns and experience of mOPV2 and nOPV2 campaigns.
  • Ability to work in a multicultural and emergency environment.
  • Ability to work in a multicultural and emergency environment.
• Skills: Knowledge of IT management techniques.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and French.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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.

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.