* This generic vacancy announcement is published to fill the Global Polio Outbreak Response Roster - Please see context and background below*
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, Health
Context & Background - UNICEF Global Polio Outbreak Response Roster
Polio eradication is a UNICEF Corporate priority. Although there are only two endemic countries with wild poliovirus type-1 (WPV1), the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is currently facing multiple distinct polio outbreaks (30 countries have active outbreaks in 2024) across many UNICEF regions.
UNICEF and WHO work closely together within different fora and at different levels to ensure a well-coordinated outbreak response and synchronized approach with Regional and Country offices in alignment with the outbreak SOPs. Faced with an outbreak of polio, country offices must quickly identify and recruit Social Behavior Change (SBC), Vaccine Management (VM), Cold Chain Logistics (CCL), Coordination, Human Resources (HR), Operations, and other specialized personnel needed to respond adequately.
With a mounting number of Polio outbreaks and the need to rapidly implement responses in multiple geographies, we developed a roster of experts, the UNICEF Global Polio Outbreak Roster, which consolidates existing HQ and RO rosters into one easily accessible, updated database for Polio teams globally. This efficient talent management system has been designed to facilitate country-level outbreak response activities.
With this generic vacancy announcement, we are looking for talented professionals that are interested to be part of our Polio Outbreak Response Technical Lead /Coordinator Roster
How can you make a difference?
Under the supervision of the UNICE Country Office (Reporting lines be determined by the country team country as appropriate for the context), the UNICEF Polio Outbreak Response Technical Lead is responsible for the overall coordination of the UNICEF polio outbreak response across the core accountabilities of vaccine management and Social and Behaviour Change (SBC). The Polio Outbreak Response Technical Lead will work collaboratively with the UNICEF Health/ Immunization, SBC Programmes, and operation team (supply, finance, HR) to deliver effective and efficient outbreak response in collaboration with the government through health authorities and other partners, including the GPEI Coordinator.
The Polio Outbreak Response Technical Lead will be deployed to countries as part of the Rapid Response and/or the Surge Team.
Key accountabilities and responsibilities will be determined for each deployment, but may include:
- Support the UNICEF country office with strategic and operational oversight of polio outbreak response operations, particularly in the areas of coordination, vaccine social management, Social behavior change, and resource management. Ensure that they address the population's needs and are aligned with the government/Ministry of Health (MOH) plans and strategies and the polio outbreak response SOPs.
- Ensure internal coordination between various sections and field offices within UNICEF on preparing and implementing polio outbreak response.
- Represent UNICEF at in-country GPEI meetings and EOC to provide direct feedback to the GPEI about outbreak response progress, challenges, and viable solutions.
- Foster close coordination with MOH, in-country health and other partners, and regional offices and HQs and assist in organizing regular coordination meetings, teleconferences, and updates.
- Coordinate UNICEF inputs on developing a national outbreak response plan, including a budget, chronogram of activities, and human resources (HR) surge plan, in collaboration with the GPEI coordinator and the Incident Manager of the EOC. Periodically adjust and adapt the plan as needed.
- Collaborate with the EOC and GPEI coordinator and the internal team to establish outbreak response structures that include the four components of outbreak response: outbreak investigation, outbreak response immunization, and strengthening routine immunization.
- Collaborate with MOH/EOC /WHO/UNICEF teams to produce updates on outbreak response activities (e.g., SITREPS, bulletins, inputs for donors’ reports and newsletters) for distribution to relevant partners.
- Collaborate with MOH/EOC/WHO/UNICEF teams to organize periodic external outbreak response assessments.
- Collaborate with MOH/EOC/WHO/UNICEF teams to document the closure of the outbreak.
- Collaborate with MOH/EOC/WHO/UNICEF teams to assess the security situation in the geographic areas included in the response; as necessary, engage appropriate partners to discuss special strategies and resources for insecure areas.
- Collaborate with the communications team to ensure the preparation of an overall outbreak response communication plan and the appropriate content of advocacy and messaging strategies.
- Collaborate with the logistics and vaccine management team to ensure the preparation and implementation of the overall outbreak response vaccine management plan.
- Collaborate with the Outbreak Operations Manager to ensure that the logistical aspects of the outbreak response, especially financing and HR, are managed optimally.
- Review and clear donor products and provide strategic guidance on resource mobilization and proposal development.
- Undertake other assignments and responsibilities as requested by country offices, regional Offices, and other partners to support the successful response to the outbreak.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the area of expertise in Medicine, public Health, Communication, or Sociology. At least two years of additional relevant work experience in the same field may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.
- At least five years of professional work experience in outbreak response, routine immunization, public health, and other relevant programs at national and international levels.
- Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance to governments on the implementation of outbreak responses (polio)
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams (communication and vaccine management) for vaccination campaigns. Experience in polio eradication is an asset.
- Emergency work experience is an asset.
- Familiarity with the UN system and Public Health Emergencies, such as Polio Eradication, Cholera, and Ebola, is desired.
- Willingness to immediately take up the assignment.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
- Fluency in one of the following languages is required: English, French, Arabic, or Portuguese. Fluency in any other UN language is an asset.
PERSONAL SKILLS AND QUALITIES
Applicants must be able to demonstrate:
- Strong self-awareness and ability to self-manage and operate safely and securely in rapidly changing emergency contexts.
- Drive to achieve impactful results and ability to work effectively in a diverse and multi-cultural team to achieve goals.
- Ability to develop new and nurture existing internal and external networks, partnerships, and relationships that deliver results.
- Ability to communicate confidently and persuasively, orally and in writing.
- Ability to analyze information, solve problems, and make decisions in complex, challenging, and rapidly evolving environments.
- Ability to think and act strategically at the highest levels of personal integrity and commitment to adhering to required standards of conduct and behavior.
- A willingness and commitment to serve the children and their communities affected by disasters despite potential hardship and personal sacrifice.
PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Working in an emergency is challenging and can sometimes be done on short notice. It is; therefore, essential applicants consider their personal circumstances before registering an interest in this type of assignment. This includes:
- Consider whether any aspect of your personal circumstances (e.g., a new baby or a sick relative) could make it difficult for you to deploy at short notice. It is recommended that you discuss the possibility of emergency deployments with your family so their views can be considered.
- Realistically assessing your mental and physical health to ensure you are fit and well. This includes ensuring you have had the basic vaccinations recommended by UNMD (UNMD recommendations).
- Ensuring you have up-to-date and valid travel documents, including your passport.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
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.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.