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.

For every child, a chance

Under the administrative direction of chief of field office and technical guidance of the vaccine management Specialist of Kinshasa office, you will provide support to the Ministry of Health at provincial level. 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. Today, UNICEF DRC supports government efforts through technical assistance in strengthening the systematic EPI COVID-19 vaccination, primary health care, polio responses and emergencies with focus on vaccines management/ cold chain logistic.

How can you make a difference? 

As vaccine Management and Cold Chain Logistic Specialist, the expected results and activities of the mission are:

1. Coordination

• Collaborate with partner teams from the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, BMGF and other partners at provincial and health zone level
• Coordination of activities and implementation of strategies for routine immunization, immunization campaign, epidemiological surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases and other diseases with epidemic potential.

2. Logistic and cold Chain management

• Ensure the preventive maintenance of the cold chain systems and provide technical advice/assistance
• Ensure the right functionality of the cold chain equipment (Temperature monitoring, contingence plan)

3. Vaccines management

• Monitor the storage and distribution of routine and campaign vaccines at the required temperatures in accordance with standards.
• Ensure the coordination of Independent Vaccine Management Monitoring (IVMM) activities

4. Capacity building of actors in vaccine management

• Support the training of actors involved in polio (nVPO2, bOPV) campaigns, routine immunization vaccine and others mass campaigns (Measles Rubella, yellow fever, COVID 19, Ebola, MPOX, etc)

5. Monitoring and evaluation of vaccine management indicators

• Supervision, monitoring and evaluation of campaigns and routine immunization activities and epidemiological surveillance.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JDD-VM_CCL Specialist Polio P3 TA.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

• Advanced university degree in one of the following fields: Medicine, Pharmacy, immunization, health supply chain, public health or equivalent.

Work Experience:

• At least five (5) years vaccine/cold chain management, experience in public health/immunization, and other health emergencies in developing countries.
• Proven experience in coordinating and managing field teams in the GPEI and other accelerated vaccine-preventable disease initiatives.
• Proven experience in integrated approach (Health, nutrition, wash, SBC, protection)
• Experience in routine immunization and campaigns, experience with nOPV2 campaigns in developing countries. 

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in French and good Knowledge in English.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or international organizations.
•  Knowledge of a local language.

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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female 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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.