Consultancy Roster: Polio Outbreak Response Technical Lead /Coordinator at UNICEF

How can you make a difference?

• Under the supervision of the UNICE Country Office (Reporting lines be determined by the country team country as appropriate for the context), the UNICEF Polio Outbreak Response Technical Lead is responsible for the overall coordination of the UNICEF polio outbreak response across the core accountabilities of vaccine management and Social and Behaviour Change (SBC). The Polio Outbreak Response Technical Lead will work collaboratively with the UNICEF Health/ Immunization, SBC Programmes, and operation team (supply, finance, HR) to deliver effective and efficient outbreak response in collaboration with the government through health authorities and other partners, including the GPEI Coordinator.
• The Polio Outbreak Response Technical Lead will be deployed to countries as part of the Rapid Response and/or the Surge Team.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities will be determined for each deployment, but may include:

• Support the UNICEF country office with strategic and operational oversight of polio outbreak response operations, particularly in the areas of coordination, vaccine social management, Social behavior change, and resource management. Ensure that they address the population's needs and are aligned with the government/Ministry of Health (MOH) plans and strategies and the polio outbreak response SOPs.
• Ensure internal coordination between various sections and field offices within UNICEF on preparing and implementing polio outbreak response.
• Represent UNICEF at in-country GPEI meetings and EOC to provide direct feedback to the GPEI about outbreak response progress, challenges, and viable solutions.
• Foster close coordination with MOH, in-country health and other partners, and regional offices and HQs and assist in organizing regular coordination meetings, teleconferences, and updates.
• Coordinate UNICEF inputs on developing a national outbreak response plan, including a budget, chronogram of activities, and human resources (HR) surge plan, in collaboration with the GPEI coordinator and the Incident Manager of the EOC. Periodically adjust and adapt the plan as needed.
• Collaborate with the EOC and GPEI coordinator and the internal team to establish outbreak response structures that include the four components of outbreak response: outbreak investigation, outbreak response immunization, and strengthening routine immunization.
• Collaborate with MOH/EOC /WHO/UNICEF teams to produce updates on outbreak response activities (e.g., SITREPS, bulletins, inputs for donors’ reports and newsletters) for distribution to relevant partners.
• Collaborate with MOH/EOC/WHO/UNICEF teams to organize periodic external outbreak response assessments.
• Collaborate with MOH/EOC/WHO/UNICEF teams to document the closure of the outbreak.
• Collaborate with MOH/EOC/WHO/UNICEF teams to assess the security situation in the geographic areas included in the response; as necessary, engage appropriate partners to discuss special strategies and resources for insecure areas.
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure the preparation of an overall outbreak response communication plan and the appropriate content of advocacy and messaging strategies.
• Collaborate with the logistics and vaccine management team to ensure the preparation and implementation of the overall outbreak response vaccine management plan.
• Collaborate with the Outbreak Operations Manager to ensure that the logistical aspects of the outbreak response, especially financing and HR, are managed optimally.
• Review and clear donor products and provide strategic guidance on resource mobilization and proposal development.
• Undertake other assignments and responsibilities as requested by country offices, regional Offices, and other partners to support the successful response to the outbreak.

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.

Personal Skills And Qualities
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.