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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo officially declared a new outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) affecting the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, Tshopo, Bas and Haut Ueleincluding the health zones of Mongbwalu, Rwampara, Bunia, for a total 60 affected health zones across 6 provinces. National authorities, with the support of humanitarian partners, have activated emergency coordination and response mechanisms to contain the outbreak.

The epidemic is unfolding in a highly complex humanitarian context marked by insecurity, armed conflict, population displacement, and limited access to essential services. High population mobility overcrowded living conditions, and weak WASH infrastructure significantly increase the risk of healthcare-associated and community transmission.

The current outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), a species of ebolavirus for which no licensed vaccine or therapeutic is currently available.. As a result, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) interventions represent one of the most critical pillars of the response, requiring rapid operational scale-up, strong coordination, and robust monitoring systems across all affected provinces.

UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Health and the national IPC coordination mechanisms to strengthen the overall IPC/WASH response.

In this context, the office requires the rapid deployment of a WASH/IPC Specialist at the NO3 level under a Temporary Appointment for six months to support the planning, implementation, and coordination and monitoring of UNICEF WASH/IPC interventions as part of the emergency response.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the WASH/IPC Manager, the WASH/IPC Specialist provides technical and operational support to the implementation, coordination and monitoring of WASH/IPC interventions within the framework of the emergency response, in line with UNICEF guidance and national priorities.

Ensure the planning, prioritization, implementation, monitoring and coordination of UNICEF WASH/IPC interventions in areas affected by the outbreak, guided by epidemiological trends, risk assessments and decisions of national, provincial and health zone IPC coordination mechanisms, to reduce transmission risks in communities and health facilities, and to contribute to an effective, high-quality emergency response. The WASH IPC Specialist will be deployed to newly affected health zones to conduct initial needs assessments, support the setup of coordination mechanisms, facilitate coordinated partner action and initiate response activities.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File ToR _TA_ WASH IPC NOC, RRT, Bunia & Isiro.docx

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

Minimum requirements

Education: Advanced University Degree in public health, environmental health, sanitary engineering, WASH engineering or a related field.
Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant experience in WASH, infection prevention and control, public health or emergency response, including three years in complex humanitarian settings.
Experience in Ebola response or other outbreak settings is mandatory.
Language Requirements: Fluency in French is required.

Desirables

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
Strong coordination skills, ability to work under pressure,
Experience with partner management, reporting, supply monitoring and technical capacity building.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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

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 promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable 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.

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

Batch of 2 positions: WASH Specialist, NO-3, TA (6 months), RRT Bunia & Isiro, DR of the Congo - WCAR