The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a worsening outbreak of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), which has become a serious public health crisis. In December 2022, the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention (MSPHP) declared Mpox a national epidemic following a surge in cases. By the end of 2022, the DRC had reported 5,677 suspected cases and 213 deaths (3.7% case fatality rate). The situation worsened in 2023, with 14,626 cases and 654 deaths (4.46% case-fatality rate), and the trend has continued in 2024, with 38,185 reported cases, 8,607 confirmed cases and 1,049 deaths so far.

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, Hope

Transmission of Mpox in the DRC is mainly through zoonotic exposure, particularly to primates and rodents, and through human-to-human transmission, including close contact, which increases the risk of rapid spread. This outbreak is occurring amid other health crises, including measles, meningitis, and polio, straining the public health response.

In response, UNICEF DRC is using targeted social and behaviour change (SBC) strategies to engage communities, promote preventive behaviors and counter misinformation. To lead these efforts, UNICEF is recruiting an SBC Mpox Response Coordinator (P5 level) on a six-month temporary basis, based in Kinshasa. This role will ensure that SBC messages are effective, culturally appropriate, and well-coordinated with national efforts.

The SBC Mpox Response Coordinator will work under the administrative supervision of the Chief of SBC in Kinshasa, working closely with the UNICEF Incident Manager, field offices and partners. The coordinator will conduct field missions as needed to support local teams and partners, build community resilience, and facilitate confidence-building, ultimately supporting a more effective and sustainable Mpox response across the DRC.

How can you make a difference? 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Under the supervision of the Chief Social Behavior Change, the SBC Mpox Response Coordinator, P5, will have the following tasks.

1. SBC Response Coordination and National Support

2. Design and Implementation of CREC Activities

3. Operationalization and Advocacy for CREC

4. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptive Management

6. Field Support and Operational Guidance

7. Resource Mobilization and Advocacy

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  SBC Mpox Response Coordinator, P5, TA, 6 Months Kinshasa DRC – Emergency.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

EDUCATION

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Communications, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science or another relevant field. 

EXPERIENCE

At least ten (10) years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social and behavior change, risk communication, community engagement, social development programme planning, development communication, public advocacy, or other relevant fields.

LANGUAGE

Fluency in English and French is required. Proficiency in an additional UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an advantage.

EDUCATION

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Communications, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science or another relevant field. 

EXPERIENCE

At least ten (10) years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social and behaviour change, risk communication, community engagement, social development programme planning, development communication, public advocacy, or other relevant fields.

LANGUAGE

Fluency in English and French is required. Proficiency in an additional UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an advantage

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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 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 women and persons with disabilities 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.

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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.