* This generic vacancy announcement is published to fill the Global Polio Outbreak Response Roster - Please see context and background below*

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, Health

Context & Background - UNICEF Global Polio Outbreak Response Roster

Polio eradication is a UNICEF Corporate priority. Although there are only two endemic countries with wild poliovirus type-1 (WPV1), the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is currently facing multiple distinct polio outbreaks (30 countries have active outbreaks in 2024) across many UNICEF regions.

UNICEF and WHO work closely together within different fora and at different levels to ensure a well-coordinated outbreak response and synchronized approach with Regional and Country offices in alignment with the outbreak SOPs. Faced with an outbreak of polio, country offices must quickly identify and recruit Social Behavior Change (SBC), Vaccine Management (VM), Cold Chain Logistics (CCL), Coordination, Human Resources (HR), Operations, and other specialized personnel needed to respond adequately.

With a mounting number of Polio outbreaks and the need to rapidly implement responses in multiple geographies, we developed a roster of experts, the UNICEF Global Polio Outbreak Roster, which consolidates existing HQ and RO rosters into one easily accessible, updated database for Polio teams globally. This efficient talent management system has been designed to facilitate country-level outbreak response activities. 

With this generic vacancy announcement, we are looking for talented professionals that are interested to be part of our Polio Outbreak Response Technical Lead /Coordinator Roster

How can you make a difference? 

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

• An advanced university degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the area of expertise in Medicine, public Health, Communication, or Sociology. At least two years of additional relevant work experience in the same field may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.
• At least five years of professional work experience in outbreak response, routine immunization, public health, and other relevant programs at national and international levels.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance to governments on the implementation of outbreak responses (polio)
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams (communication and vaccine management) for vaccination campaigns. Experience in polio eradication is an asset.
• Emergency work experience is an asset.
• Familiarity with the UN system and Public Health Emergencies, such as Polio Eradication, Cholera, and Ebola, is desired.
• Willingness to immediately take up the assignment.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Fluency in one of the following languages is required: English, French, Arabic, or Portuguese. Fluency in any other UN language is an asset.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

• Strong self-awareness and ability to self-manage and operate safely and securely in rapidly changing emergency contexts.
• Drive to achieve impactful results and ability to work effectively in a diverse and multi-cultural team to achieve goals.
• Ability to develop new and nurture existing internal and external networks, partnerships, and relationships that deliver results.
• Ability to communicate confidently and persuasively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze information, solve problems, and make decisions in complex, challenging, and rapidly evolving environments.
• Ability to think and act strategically at the highest levels of personal integrity and commitment to adhering to required standards of conduct and behavior.
• A willingness and commitment to serve the children and their communities affected by disasters despite potential hardship and personal sacrifice.

PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Working in an emergency is challenging and can sometimes be done on short notice. It is; therefore, essential applicants consider their personal circumstances before registering an interest in this type of assignment. This includes:

• Consider whether any aspect of your personal circumstances (e.g., a new baby or a sick relative) could make it difficult for you to deploy at short notice. It is recommended that you discuss the possibility of emergency deployments with your family so their views can be considered.
• Realistically assessing your mental and physical health to ensure you are fit and well. This includes ensuring you have had the basic vaccinations recommended by UNMD (UNMD recommendations).
• Ensuring you have up-to-date and valid travel documents, including your passport.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

 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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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