Batch of 3 positions : Public health in Emergency specialist, P-3, TA (6 Months), Butembo, Bunia, Beni, DR of the Congo - WCAR

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is responding to its 17th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak, confirmed in May 2026 and affecting Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. The situation remains complex and evolving, with transmission occurring in both community and health-care settings. Response efforts are led by national authorities in a context shaped by health system limitations, logistical constraints, insecurity, displacement, and diverse community perceptions influencing health-seeking behaviors. UNICEF supports the Government through a multi-sectoral approach, focusing on community engagement, surveillance, infection prevention, and the continuity of essential services for vulnerable populations. This context requires strong coordination, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity to support effective and equitable response efforts, particularly for children and at-risk communities.

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.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is responding to its 17th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak, confirmed in May 2026 and affecting Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. The situation remains complex and evolving, with transmission occurring in both community and health-care settings. Response efforts are led by national authorities in a context shaped by health system limitations, logistical constraints, insecurity, displacement, and diverse community perceptions influencing health-seeking behaviors.

UNICEF supports the Government through a multi-sectoral approach, focusing on community engagement, surveillance, infection prevention, and the continuity of essential services for vulnerable populations. This context requires strong coordination, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity to support effective and equitable response efforts, particularly for children and at-risk communities.

How can you make a difference?

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  09 - TOR Public Health Emergency Specialist, P3, Bunia.docx

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Public Health, Epidemiology, International Health, Health Emergency Management, Medicine, or a related field is required;
• Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in public health emergency management, epidemiological surveillance, outbreak management, or health response coordination is required. Demonstrated experience in responding to epidemic-prone diseases such as Ebola, Cholera, Mpox, Measles, COVID-19, or other public health emergencies. Experience working in complex humanitarian contexts, including insecurity or population displacement. 
• Skills: Data Analysis, IMS/SGI, Multi-Sectoral Coordination, Capacity Building, Team Leadership, Operational Decision-Making.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in French is required. 

Desirables:

1. 1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
   2. integrated outbreak analytics, incident management system, doctor of medicine, ebola response experience, WHO, UNICEF
   3. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 
   4. A Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree is considered a strong asset.
   5. Experience with the United Nations, UNICEF, WHO, or international NGOs is considered an asset;

Technical Knowledge:

• Excellent knowledge of public health emergency preparedness and response principles;
• Strong understanding of epidemiological surveillance systems, early warning systems, and community-based surveillance;
• Good knowledge of IMS/ICS (Incident Management System) and health emergency coordination mechanisms;
• Solid understanding of early detection strategies, alert investigation, and contact tracing;
• Good understanding of approaches to ensure continuity of essential health and nutrition services in emergency settings;
• Knowledge of integrated outbreak analysis approaches (Integrated Outbreak Analytics – IOA).

Technical Skills:

• Proven ability to plan, coordinate, implement, and monitor public health interventions in emergency settings;
• Strong skills in epidemiological analysis, data interpretation, and operational decision-making;
• Proficiency in digital tools for surveillance and data management (DHIS2 Tracker, GoData, KoboCollect, Excel, dashboards, reporting tools);
• Ability to coordinate multi-sectoral teams and operational partners;
• Skills in supervision, mentoring, and capacity building for field teams and community actors;
• Ability to manage operations in complex and unstable environments;
• Strong capacity for risk analysis, problem-solving, and rapid adaptation of operational strategies;
• Excellent technical writing skills for reports, analyses, and strategic documents

• Strong coordination and collaboration skills with health authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, partners, and communities;
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize, and meet deadlines in high-pressure environments;
• Excellent interpersonal and institutional communication skills;
• Ability to work in multicultural and security-sensitive environments;
• Strong initiative, leadership, and results-oriented mindset;
• Ability to maintain neutrality, professionalism, and respect for humanitarian principles in politically and security-sensitive 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
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

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 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.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply. 

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.