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For every child, Health and Nutrition!

Rwanda is currently experiencing its first-ever confirmed outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD). As of 23 October 2024, the Ministry of Health has reported 63 confirmed MVD cases, including 15 deaths resulting in a case fatality rate (CFR) of approximately 23.8%. This outbreak is occurring in the context of a multidemic situation, as Rwanda also responding to a mpox outbreak confirmed on 24 July 2024.

In response to these outbreaks, the Government of Rwanda has developed National Readiness and Response Plans and established a coordination mechanism that includes national and 30 district command posts. The multi-sectoral response mechanism includes a) Collaborative surveillance, including active case search, contact tracing, training, and screening at points of entry, b) Emergency coordination, with the activation of the command post and pillar mechanisms; c) community awareness, through implementing effective risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), infection prevention and control (IPC)/water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) measures, and d) Safe and scalable care, countermeasures, and research. UNICEF participates in the national coordination and almost all pillars, and co-convenes RCCE, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), IPC/WASH and continuity of services pillars.

UNICEF has classified mpox as a Level 3 emergency, the highest emergency level requiring an organizational-wide response. UNICEF Rwanda Country Office (RCO) has developed mpox and MVD preparedness and response plans which aligns with its organizational mandate and areas of comparative advantage, as well as government plans. UNICEF Rwanda also supports the government outside of emergencies in readiness, preparedness and response based on its National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS :2020 – 2024) holistically lays out a plan for addressing health security and emergency capabilities within the country to ensure that there is timely preparedness, rapid detection and a consistent and coordinated response to health risks, including disease outbreaks/pandemics.

In this regard, RCO requires a Public Health Emergency Specialist to provide technical guidance for the MVD and mpox response and recovery, as well as overall system strengthening for public health threats.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the international Public Health Emergency Specialist supported by the Chief of Health and Nutrition, and in close collaboration with the Rwanda Country Office Emergency Management Team (EMT), the PHE Specialist will provide technical support to the planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of UNICEF’s preparedness and response to the MVD and mpox outbreaks, in addition to systems strengthening for overall country readiness and response to any global health security (GHS) threats.

The PHE Specialist will:

• Provide technical support to UNICEF’s MVD and mpox preparedness and response and broader GHS progamme in coordination with cross-cutting sections (including health, WASH, nutrition, MHPSS, RCCE, procurement).
• Participate in MoH/RBC and WHO external and internal coordination mechanisms, including pillar and sub-pillar meetings, assessments, analysis, and provide feedback to the UNICEF management.
• Contribute to UNICEF’s health emergency analysis to define overall needs, map partner efforts, and identify gaps to guide UNICEF’s response efforts and fulfilment of the Core Commitment for Children (CCCs).
• Provide technical support to UNICEF and partners, including the development of protocols, guidelines and training materials for surveillance, early warning and alert, case management, capacity building, community-based interventions, and RCCE communication materials.
• In coordination with partners and other sectors, periodically update UNICEF’s MVD and mpox health response, recovery, and post-recovery strategies, and other plans and strategies as needed, including contingency plans, with effective cross-sectoral response planning.
• In coordination with UNICEF Supply/Logistics, ensure the emergency health supply chain including pre-positioning stocks to provide essential kits, drugs, equipment and commodities.
• Oversee implementation and monitor the coverage and effectiveness of UNICEF’s MVD and mpox interventions, as well as broader GHS initiatives such as the Pandemic Fund among the beneficiary population, coordinating amongst partners and sharing information for internal communication and coordination.
• Provide timely inputs to UNICEF information products related to the MVD and mpox response including situation reports, analysis, and health sector reports.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts, including preparation of emergency funding appeals for UNICEF and health cluster/sector mechanisms.
• Support to the growing climate and health activities being implemented by UNICEF and government, including identifying linkages between climate and PHE.

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

Education:

• Advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Public Health (MD, Nursing) or related health disciplines (MPH, MSc, PHD).
• Training in Epidemiology is an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in responding to health emergencies. This includes coordination and partnerships, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration.
• Additional years of experience is an asset.
• Field experience in health emergencies is required, as well as experience working/coordinating with government. Previous emergency response with UNICEF or other UN agencies will be an asset. Experience in responding to mpox or VHF outbreaks is preferred.

Expertise/Skills:

• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively and work collaboratively with varied audiences.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment with minimum supervision, translating strategic direction into plans and objectives.
• Ability to work under tight schedules, respond to multiple demands in a rapidly changing environment, and flexibility to travel to field locations.
• Strong sense of team spirit and diplomacy with a ‘can do’ attitude. Quickly builds rapport, builds, and maintains an effective network across organizational departments and with other partners.
• Ability to manage uncertainty and rapidly evolving political and programming contexts with an innovative and resourceful mindset to make solutions to work in adverse conditions.
• Excellent writing skills and demonstrable experience in qualitative and quantitative information analysis, program monitoring and reporting.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required.
• Knowledge of another language of the humanitarian operation (Kinyarwanda and Swahili) or UN language, especially French, is an asset.

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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.