How can you make a difference?
- Technical Leadership on Ebola preparedness, risk assessment and readiness planning
- Strengthen WASH and IPC systems for Ebola preparedness
- Capacity building and technical support to Government and partners
- Coordination, cross-border preparedness, emergency response support and reporting
The Government of South Sudan, WHO, UNICEF and partners have established Infectious Disease Units (IDUs) and strengthened preparedness measures in high-risk areas. Effective Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and WASH systems are central pillars of Ebola preparedness and response, ensuring safe health facility operations, reducing healthcare-associated infections, protecting frontline workers, and minimizing community transmission risks. Ebola preparedness requires strong IPC governance, surveillance-linked IPC measures, environmental cleaning and disinfection systems, safe management of healthcare waste, water quality monitoring, hand hygiene compliance, and preparedness of health facilities and points of entry.
UNICEF seeks a highly qualified WASH/IPC Specialist to be based in Yambio to lead and coordinate Ebola preparedness and response interventions across Western Equatoria, working closely with government authorities, WHO, health partners, and humanitarian actors to strengthen IPC and WASH readiness in high-risk locations.
Therefore the purpose of the post will be under the direct technical supervision of the Chief of WASH and matrix technical coordination with Emergency Health team and daily administrative supervision of the Chief of UNICEF field office in Yambio, the WASH/IPC Specialist will provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for Ebola preparedness and readiness plan implementation and in case there will be any suspected/confirmed case during this assignment s/he will lead on response interventions focused on IPC and WASH.
The incumbent will support preparedness and response activities in health facilities, Infectious Disease Units (IDUs), communities, points of entry and high-risk border locations, ensuring alignment with national preparedness plans, WHO guidance and UNICEF emergency response approaches. The position will strengthen health system readiness, reduce transmission risks, improve protection of health workers and communities, and enhance cross-border preparedness coordination in Western Equatoria State.
Frequent travel to high-risk counties, border areas and points of entry will be required.
Minimum requirements
Strong experience in capacity building, mentoring, and training of healthcare workers, government counterparts, and implementing partners on IPC and emergency WASH interventions is required.
Experience coordinating with Ministries of Health, WHO, UN agencies, NGOs, and emergency response partners within a multi-sectoral outbreak response framework.
Proven experience leading or supporting health facility WASH (HF-WASH) and IPC improvement programmes, including water supply, sanitation, environmental cleaning, healthcare waste management, hand hygiene systems, and decontamination protocols is directly relevant.
Desirables
- Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
- Candidates with academic and/or on job training directly relevant to public health emergency preparedness and response, health facility WASH, outbreak prevention and control, infectious disease management, and Ebola/Viral Haemorrhagic Fever preparedness will be strongly preferred.
- Experience in South Sudan or any similar context is an asset.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(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
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 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.
The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member's original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
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.
Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.
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.