Readvertisement-Immunization Specialist (Mpox response), P3, TA, 6 months, Kinshasa, DRC

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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

Candidates who previously applied for the first publication should not re-apply.

For every child, Hope

The Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) represents a major public health emergency, with increasing spread across multiple provinces. In 2022, 5,677 suspected cases and 213 deaths were reported, followed by a rise in 2023 with 14,626 suspected cases and 654 deaths. In 2024, during the first few weeks, 2,609 suspected cases were notified, with a fatality rate of 8.4%, primarily affecting children under 15 years of age. Mpox transmission is both zoonotic and human-to-human, with an emerging risk of sexual transmission.

The response to this epidemic, according to the DRC’s national response plan, is structured around several pillars, including vaccination, which faces multiple challenges, particularly due to the introduction of a new vaccine and a vaccination strategy focused on specific populations.

In response to these challenges, UNICEF DRC is mobilizing an Immunization specialist at the P3 level to support the vaccination response to Mpox and other health emergencies, in a context where other epidemics such as measles, polio, and meningitis are also present

How can you make a difference? 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Under the supervision of Senior Immunization Manager and closely collaboration of Health Emergency Manager, you will support the Mpox response including the following activities:

1. Strengthening Coordination
2. Internal Coordination
3. Technical Support for Vaccination
4. Development of Strategic Plans
5. Capacity Building
6. Monitoring and Follow-up
7. Reporting and Resource Mobilization

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  ToR Immunization Specialist Mpox P3 TA Kinshasa DRC.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:
  • A master’ degree in medicine and a specialization/master’s degree in public health/epidemiology preferably or in an equivalent field.
• Work Experience:
  • At least a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in public health and immunization, preferably in developing countries.
• Technical Skills:
  • Ability to manage health programs in emergency settings
  • Experience in implementing vaccination campaigns and strengthening epidemiological surveillance systems.
  • Strong teamwork skills, communication, and negotiation abilities.
  • Proficiency in the various stages and processes of introducing new vaccines.
  • Solid knowledge of routine EPI, especially in high-impact countries like DRC.
  • Ability to work in a multicultural and emergency environment.
  • Knowledge of IT management techniques

• Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in French and good command of English is required.

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.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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.

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.

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.

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.