Job Description
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, Health
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the largest populations in Africa (estimates range from 98.3 million, according to the DRC Bureau of Statistics and over 100 million according to other estimates) and poorest (73% live in extreme poverty) and has been in a state of conflict and vulnerability for almost 40 years. DRC is facing multiple development and humanitarian challenges. Despite some progress made over the last number of years in DRC in the fields of child survival and development as well as child protection, none of the MDGs was met. It will be a tremendous challenge for the country to achieve the SDGs by 2030. There are 6.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country, of which 51% are women and girls; in addition, the country faces multiple health epidemics including Ebola, Cholera, Measles and Polio, and underlying chronic malnutrition affecting children across the country. In 2023, the office had a total requirement of more than US$1 billion, with over US$862 million for emergency resources.
Visit UNICEF- Democratic Republic of Congo to learn more!
How can you make a difference?
The Health Manager reports to the Chief of Health for general guidance and supervision.
- S/He provides high level program and policy guidance and leadership in strengthening UNICEF DRC’s response to health emergencies during outbreaks, natural disasters and conflicts.
- S/He collaborate closely with Immunization Senior Manager during response on vaccine preventable diseases outbreaks (Measles, Yellow Fever, Polio etc.) and cholera prevention and response (in collaboration with the other sections) as well as on complex emergencies in conflict affected countries.
- In consultation with the RO, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting implementation of high impact health interventions in acute and chronic emergencies as outlined in UNICEF’s Core Corporate Commitments in Emergencies (CCC) and other relevant technical guidelines.
- The emergency health Manager will be supervised by the Chief Health and work closely with Senior Immunization Manager, the field offices, WCARO and HQ emergency technical team.
- S/He provides technical guidance and operational support throughout the programming process to facilitate the achievement of concrete and sustainable results, according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance, and accountability framework.
- To know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Health Emergency Manager Level 4.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Medicine and advanced (postgraduate) degree in public health
- A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in planning, managing and implementing health emergency programs with either the UN, International Organizations, and/or NGO at national and international level including field experience and demonstrated professional achievements in Africa; Knowledge and experience with operational and action research findings to meet the needs of programs in low- and middle-income countries
- Familiarity with humanitarian principles, policies and response actions
- Familiarity with UNICEF emergency policies, financial, supply and administrative rules an asset
- Experience should include coordination and strategic partnerships, risk assessments, planning, programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public health emergency programs within epidemiology and disease control, expertise mainly in epidemic prone diarrheal diseases, viral hemorrhagic diseases, vaccine preventable diseases. Knowledge of the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 framework and its implementation in member states
- Fluency in French and English are required.
Desirables:
- Training in management
- Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
- Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
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
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people
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.
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 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.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
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.