Programme Specialist (Cholera Response Coordinator) - P3- TA position#: 131483-Maputo Mozambique
Job no: 577969
Position type: Temporary Appointment
Location: Mozambique
Division/Equivalent: Nairobi Regn'l(ESARO)
School/Unit: Republic of Mozambique
Department/Office: Maputo, Republic of Mozambique
Categories: Programme Management
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For every child, resilience
The Country Programme of Cooperation between the Government of Mozambique and UNICEF (CPD) for 2022-2026 aims to support Mozambique to accelerate efforts towards achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and meeting its commitment to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of children, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action. It derives from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2022–2026 and aligns with the Government Five-Year Plan 2020–2024, the National Development Strategy 2015–2035 and relevant sector policies and programmes.
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How can you make a difference?
UNICEF Mozambique is committed to supporting the Government of Mozambique through an integrated and equitable multisectoral approach to cholera preparedness and response including through our leadership roles in the WASH, Education, Nutrition and Child Protection clusters.
In WASH, UNICEF strengthens hygiene knowledge and practice, and access to safe water, including in healthcare facilities, schools, and communities to break the chains of transmission. In Health, UNICEF focuses on preventing cholera deaths, both in facilities and communities; and ensuring continuity of essential health services during cholera outbreaks through capacity building of healthcare workers, raising communities’ knowledge of home and community-based management of diarrhoea with oral rehydration salts (ORS), strengthening cholera referral pathways, procurement and delivery of essential cholera supplies including Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV). This entails prepositioning and replenishing essential cholera supplies and mobilizing further technical support to the national response. UNICEF also engages at-risk communities in awareness-raising, readiness, and response activities through innovative approaches, such as the “case area targeted intervention” (CATI) approach or Oral Rehydration Points. Finally, UNICEF works in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and WHO to support disease surveillance, particularly at the community level.
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief of Field Operations and Emergencies, and in close collaboration with the Head of Sections (HoS) and cholera focal points for Health, Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) and WASH, the incumbent will be responsible for UNICEF Mozambique’s cholera response portfolio, as follows:
Cholera response preparedness and coordination
- Lead UNICEF’s cholera preparedness activities internally, liaising with the Ministry of Health and other relevant sector/clusters such as Health, WASH and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) coordination mechanisms. Priorities should be in line with the government’s cholera planning and UNICEF/WHO/GTFCC guidance.
- Document and manage knowledge of UNICEF Mozambique’s response to cholera outbreaks, highlighting best practices and lessons learned to inform future responses.
- Collaborate with other UNICEF sectors, particularly Health, WASH and SBC, Supply to ensure integration of activities for the cholera emergency response and ensure needs are identified and met. This entails (1) facilitating an internal cholera task force comprised of Emergency, Health, SBC, WASH and Supply, with participation of Education, Child Protection, Social protection and PSEA (2) managing internal and external cholera preparedness and response meetings, developing the agenda, presentations, scheduling, and sharing minutes/action points
- Liaise with international and national partners, health and WASH cluster/sector and RCCE global and regional coordination platforms supporting the Government of Mozambique with emergency preparedness and response to cholera outbreaks.
- Provide technical support to UNICEF and partners including the development/sharing of protocols, guidelines and training materials for surveillance, early warning and alert systems, case management for malnourished children and pregnant /breastfeeding women, establishment of cholera treatment facilities (CTCs/CTUs and ORPs), community-based interventions, communications, social mobilization, as well as forecasting, procuring and distribution of supplies.
- Coordinate the development, implementation and reporting of sectoral and multisectoral partnerships (Humanitarian Program Documents) and institutional contracts with UNICEF partner and contractor engaged in the cholera prevention, preparedness and response
- Track expenditure of available resources and gaps for the cholera response and identify priority needs; build on existing efforts to track deployment/administration of supplies, availability of financial resources (current/on the pipeline), human capacity etc.
- Assess supply gaps in the main active/expected hotspot areas and coordinate the pre-positioning of cholera supplies from all programme sections (health, SBC and WASH) with the support of the Supply section.
- Assess training needs in collaboration with Health, SBC and WASH sections and plan for refresher sessions about cholera outbreak management for partners and UNICEF staff.
On the onset a new outbreak declaration
- Liaise with MoH, WHO, MSF and other relevant partners to verify alerts about suspected cases or AWD cases where laboratory test results are not yet published.
- Maintain the internal Cholera Task Force to discuss preparedness/response actions.
- Coordinate the deployment of UNICEF staff or partners per identified needs.
- Update the UNICEF Mozambique cholera emergency response plan, including financial needs, supply requirements and staffing requirements (internal redeployment, external support, etc.).
- Provide technical support for oral cholera vaccines (OCV) campaigns in close collaboration with the UNICEF health and SBC team, WHO, and other technical agencies.
During and after the cholera response
- Participate actively in national outbreak task forces (some in Portuguese) and contribute to decision-making processes.
- Coordinate and monitor the cholera response of implementing partners, ensure promptness and completeness of actions/approach and recommend/follow up on corrective actions when needed.
- Provide technical support to the development of concept notes and proposals for cholera preparedness and response activities.
- Share regular situation reports and summary of trends analysis with the Chief of Field Operations and Emergency and Country Office Emergency Management Team.
- Provide inputs to all cholera response reports for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, and annual reports.
- Oversee project supply chain in coordination with UNICEF supply and operations staff to provide essential drugs and materials to government and NGO partners.
- Participate in cholera monitoring and evaluation exercises, as well as in health, WASH and SBC sectoral reviews, as applicable. Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of country stakeholders and partners.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Cholera TOR P3 TA 2025.docx
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education - Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Public Health, Health, WASH, Behaviour Change or another relevant field.
- Work Experience - At least 5 years of professional work experience at national and international levels in outbreak response, public health and other health, WASH and other development relevant programs.
- Demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance to governments on the implementation of cholera outbreak responses.
- Demonstrated experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and playing facilitating/coordination roles in a complex/multi-cultural context.
- Familiarity with the UN system and international response to cholera outbreak (Global Task Force to Control Cholera) is an asset.
- Knowledge of different aspects of the cholera outbreak preparedness and response in Mozambique (WHO guidance, international standards, national policies and strategies).
- Excellent writing skills and demonstrable experience in qualitative and quantitative epidemiological data analysis, program monitoring and reporting.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. An intermediate or higher level of Portuguese/Spanish/Latin language is required.
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…
Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
Works Collaboratively with others (1)
Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
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.
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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 male or female candidates 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.
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