Job Advertisement: Emergency Specialist (Ebola Coordinator), (P-3), Temporary Appointment (6 months), Juba, South Sudan, #110952 (523958)

Closing date: 30 Jul 2019

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, a future.

The current outbreak of Ebola virus in north-west Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is not abating, and UNICEF in DRC is planning on maintaining the response capacity to the end of June 2020 and has created posts to sustain the effort. So far, the outbreak has spread to Uganda, although the outbreak may have been successfully nipped in the bud (no cases or contacts with symptoms). However, on 1 July, a case was confirmed in Ariwara Health zone of Ituri Province. Ariwara borders both Uganda (through Arua, West Nile region) and South Sudan (through Yei river state), and close to trade routes and refugee settlements in West Nile in Uganda, increasing the risk of the virus crossing the border into South Sudan.

At present, there are no confirmed cases of Ebola in the country, but as a key humanitarian partner and lead in WASH and Risk communication and Social Mobilization, UNICEF is committed in Ebola virus disease (EVD) preparedness and response activities in the country. While the likelihood of a spread to South Sudan is difficult to quantify, the impact would be very high and given the limited capacity of the health system in the country. A key lesson from West Africa and DRC is that response must be very rapid, to contain and stop an outbreak before it spreads. We, therefore, must maintain a high level of preparedness for the duration of the outbreak.

UNICEF and partners, under the World Health Organization (WHO) leadership, have agreed to immediate priority actions including:

EVD awareness workshop for health care workers and the military on 3 July in Yei River State.

An interagency team comprising WHO epidemiologist, state coordinator, and logistician together with UNICEF, World Food Programme and International Organization for Migration to strengthen field operational preparedness.

WHO will support the Ministry of Health on media outreach.

Additionally, WHO is awaiting a decision on accessing additional vaccines (originally intended for Rwanda).

South Sudan Country Office (SSCO) with the Rescue Initiative-South Sudan (TRI-SS) and the South Sudan Red Cross (SSRC) to scale-up interventions in Kaya and Nimule border with additional social mobilizers. There are on-going efforts to engage with World Vision Core Group and its community structure to engage with religious leaders, faith healers / traditional healers, community leaders and volunteers for contact tracing.

SSCO infection prevention and control/WASH EVD missions to focus on assessments of the nearest Primary Health Care Center (Rodobo) and Yei Isolation facility considering functionality, frontline staff vaccination status, EVD related training; the integrated Food Security Phase Classification(IPC)/WASH situation; ambulance/emergency transportation, access, safety and security.

SSCO will engage with security services on EVD preparedness.

The Programme Specialist will work under the guidance of Chief of Field Operations and work closely with Programme Sections for general guidance and direction.

The incumbent will provide support to the national authorities in coordinating design, planning, monitoring, evaluating and coordinating administrative, technical and logistical aspects of Ebola preparedness activities. He/she will make independent decisions on corrective actions necessary to achieve the objective in his/her area of responsibility.

The purpose of the position is not to provide deep technical guidance, but to coordinate the UNICEF efforts at a technical level, and work closely with Programme and Operations.

How can you make a difference?

The EVD coordinator in South Sudan will be based in Juba and will act as the overall lead in-country for the Ebola preparedness plan. The EVD coordinator will work under the direction of the Chief of Field Operation while being UNICEF’s external face on the Ebola preparedness with government officials, donors, coordination bodies and other actors. The EVD coordinator will directly coordinate all operational (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Safety, and Security), financial and programmatic aspects of the Ebola preparedness. All scale-up and new response actions will fall under the portfolio of the EVD coordinator.

Main duties:

Coordinate UNICEF’s preparedness and response to Ebola in South Sudan, ensuring response systems and structures are in place.

Strengthen coordination with Ebola preparedness and response actors i.e. WHO, WFP, international NGOs, the government and donors to promote effective collaboration.

Support with fundraising (mainly OFDA, DFID, ECHO) in coordination with Resource Mobilization and Management and assist with proposal development for new funding opportunities, grant modification and reporting.

Support Juba and Field Offices coordination but strengthening the coordination between the Chief of Field Offices in the Greater Equatoria Field Offices and Juba.

Lead on UNICEF’s strategic EVD preparedness plan.

Advocate with and/or advise peer agencies, local governments, donors and other stakeholders to influence responses to promote the delivery of inclusive and high-quality humanitarian services.

Lead in conducting an analysis of program implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategy and guidelines.

Coordinate the surge team and provide support in terms of cross-sectoral coordination (WASH, Health, Communication for Development and Supply) within UNICEF.

Work closely with Chief Field Operations at time of transition and/or closeout to ensure full handover to manage any final closeout and/or ensure integration of the response into overall UNICEF Country Programme Document Portfolio.

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

An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in leading complex on-site emergency health response projects and/or programs requiring extensive judgment and interpretation.

Diverse geographical professional experience preferred. Preferably experience in controlling outbreaks of EVD and/or other Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHFs).

Relevant professional experience in any UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Demonstrated ability to influence peer agencies, local government, and community leaders to work effectively towards a common and agreed-upon result.

Demonstrated ability to evaluate and implement best practices and processes affecting multiple technical specialties to achieve rapid, consistent and high-quality outcomes.

Experience developing, resourcing and leading large budget, complex projects spanning multiple technical specialties.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are:

Core Values

Commitment

Diversity and Inclusion

Integrity

Core Competencies

Communication (II)

Working with people (II)

Drive for results (II)

Functional Competencies

Formulating strategies/concepts (II)

Relating and networking (II)

Persuading and influencing (II)

Analyzing (II)

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

* Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of the receivingan offer.

* Please note that Juba is a non-family duty station.

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offer of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.

HOW TO APPLY:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=523958

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By: SouthSudanCareers