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For every child, for every child, the right to care

 The DRC has been certified free of wild poliovirus since 2015. However, the country has been facing outbreaks of circulating variant poliovirus (cVDPV1 and 2) since 2017. The highest number of cases was recorded in 2022, i.e. 531 cases (around 50% of African region cases) with co-circulation of type 1 and 2 poliovirus variants. To date, DRC is on track to stop polio virus transmission according to the significant reduction of number of cases in 2024(90%) and in 2025, Week, 27, 1 cVDPV2 case has recorded [DRC, Sitrep polio Eradication, Week 27]

Therefore, to maintain to maintain the progress made and interrupt the circulation of the virus, UNICEF's health section in the DRC has set up a Polio programme to carry out interventions in collaboration with other partners. Given the challenges to cover 5 provinces in Western part of DRC with the closing of field office of Kinshasa Ouest and the critical need for a decisive response in these provinces, particularly Kongo Central and Kinshasa provinces, it is imperative that our vaccine management Specialist (CCL VM Specialist)is supported with 1 national professional in vaccine management component to enhance operational effectiveness and ensure sustained, impactful engagement in this part of DRC with proof of poliovirus circulation in 2025 in Kongo Central province.

How can you make a difference? 

The vaccine management officer (CCL VM) of Kinshasa office will provide support to national polio team to support the Ministry of Health of 5 provinces in Western part of DRC. S/he will ensure the strategic positioning of UNICEF in vaccine management component in the major decision-making institutions at provincial level and meetings in the context of the fight against polio in the DRC.

The main objective of the VM and cold chain officer will support the transfer of competence in systematic immunization, the preparation and implementation of the logistical activities of polio campaign and other preventable diseases outbreak responses. All these activities will be carried out with the aim of strengthening in an integrated management of EPI vaccine at provincials’ level with vaccine management specialist support.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support the efficient management of campaign vaccines and routine immunization. 

• Support and follow routine and campaign vaccine availability at the provincial level and take action to avoid vaccine stock out
• Ensure the appropriate distribution of campaign and routine vaccine distribution at health zones levels
• Develop a plan to implement the recommendations of the various vaccine management evaluations at Provincial l levels.
•  Support the implementation of the quality improvement plan at provincial level.
• Support monthly vaccine management reporting at provincial level (data collection, analysing, transmission)
• Support programmatic visit at provincial level
• Support implementation of standard operating procedures for EPI and GPEI logistics management at provincial level
• Support the containment of nVPO2 vials at the provincial level

2. Supporting the improvement of campaign and routine vaccine storage at the provincial level

•  Monitor the updating of cold chain equipment inventory files before each campaign,
• Support the provincial level in planning preventive maintenance of cold chain equipment,
• Support the provincial level in monitoring the temperature of cold chain equipment.
• Support vaccine storage emergency plan development in case of power outage at provincial level

3.  Support logistics and vaccine data management

• Ensure data collection and local analysis at provincial level (ODK, Kobo Collect, SMT)
• Monthly monitoring of use of the e-SMT platform by central and operational vaccine managers.
• Ensure consultant report monitoring (Weekly, Monthly)

4. Contribute to networking and partnership building

• Establish and maintain close and effective working partnerships with EPI program counterparts at provincial level.
• Work closely with GPEI partners at the provincial level to prepare and implement campaigns, and between campaigns to improve routine immunization.
• Support incentive payment activities of actors (Mobile payment)
• Follow up of development of Financial Request
• Ensure Follow up of DCT received by partners

5. Ensure the innovation, learning and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Support the training of monitor supervisors and vial monitors

Impact of results

The effectiveness and efficiency of Vaccine Management support to the preparation, planning and implementation of polio activities facilitates achievement of concrete and sustainable results that have a direct impact on children health improving particularly marginalized and vulnerable women and children. This in turn helps maintain and strengthen UNICEF's credibility and capacity to continue providing program services to protect children's rights and promote greater social equality to enable them to survive, develop and reach their full potential in society.

Efficient Vaccine and cold chain management is crucial to control vaccine preventable diseases and eradicate polio, by reducing cases, limiting the spread and protecting vulnerable populations.

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

Minimum requirements:

1. Education:

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health/immunization, health supply chain

2. Work experience:

1. A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public health/immunization, health supply chain

   Fluency in French and Proficiency of English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French).

3. Language requirements:

Desirables:

• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or international organizations is considered as 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.

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.