Position Title: Project Officer (Immunization Migrant and Mobile Populations)
Duty Station: Kinshasa, Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2
Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, six months with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 14 August 2022
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.
Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.
For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:
- Internal candidates
- Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.
Context:
Following the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on 10 March 2020, the Congolese government implemented a series of measures to prevent and control the spread of the disease, including reinforcement of health services, travel and movement restrictions and more recently the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine, amongst other measures. To date there has been a total of 87254 confirmed cases and 1338 deaths recorded (case fatality rate 1.5%) up to 21th of April 2022. Several measures have been taken to address specific vulnerabilities among migrant and mobile populations as part of the response, including targeted communication campaigns, reinforcement of the National Border Hygiene Programme (PNHF) and services at border points, analysis of mobility trends and establishment of vaccination services at strategic Points of Entry.
Since the beginning of COVID-19 vaccination deployment in DRC, up to 19 April 2022, a total of 1 199 737 persons (2,22%) have been vaccinated, among them 742 750 (1,38%) have been fully vaccinated. The goal set by the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in DRC is to reach 2,5 Million persons per month or 625 000 per week with vaccination against COVID-19.
In this context, the inclusion of COVID-19 vaccination sites at Points of Entry (POE) and among mobile populations is critical, to target populations that are not traditionally targeted or reached by the EPI and whose mobility has the potential to contribute to spreading the disease, including across borders and between host communities. COVID-19 vaccination at POE and among mobile and most vulnerable populations is part of the overall COVID-19 preparedness and response strategy that DRC has developed in July 2021, focusing on increasing the COVID-19 vaccination coverage and vaccine uptake, and its operationalization as to translate the strategy into practice became urgent.
In addition and given the low pace at which COVID-19 vaccination uptake is, DRC is gradually phasing out of a targeted campaign models for COVID-19 vaccination deployment and is aiming towards routinization and therefore integration of service delivery strategies between COVID-19 and other antigens that are already part of the national routine immunization schedule.
In that regard, under the direct supervision of the Migration Health Programme Coordinator and overall Chief of Mission, in close coordination with the relevant units in IOM Kinshasa including MHD Technical Coordinator, the successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for the implementation of IOM DRC immunization projects, in support, across the country, to the Ministry of Health and more specifically the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and the National Border Hygiene Programme (PNHF), by coordinating vaccine supplies at PoE and towards targeted mobile populations, capacity building and transfer, strengthening of cold chain capacity. They will be responsible and accountable for coordinating the design and implementation of the immunization activities including strategy development, and monitoring.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Technical assistance:
- Contribute to the development of IOM DRC Immunization strategy, in close collaboration with the PM, Technical Coordinator and Risk communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Officer.
- Provide technical assistance to the government on the coordination of immunization activities, including prioritization of activities, implementation strategies, readiness of key components to deliver smooth vaccine roll-out at Point of entry and among mobile and displaced populations, including strengthening the cold chain.
- Support the development and implementation of activities related to capacity building and transfer, advocacy for migrants’ inclusion in operational plans and monitoring reach in practice, demand generation, social mobilization.
- Provide guidance to partners in the development/contextualization of technical guidelines and protocols on matters related to immunization for migrants.
- Draft PDs and assist with project planning for implementation of activities (together with partners) and support with procurement processes.
Coordination & project management:
- In coordination with the Programme Coordinator and Chief of Mission, participate to meetings related to immunization at national level and subnational level, when necessary.
- Liaise with the Ministry of Health and specifically EPI and PNHF, the coordination task force, immunization partners and relevant stakeholders for programme improvement, review and coordination of the pertinent thematic components like monitoring & supervision, vaccine & logistics management, cold chain, adverse events following immunization (AEFI), etc.
- Track progress, undertake duty travels to monitor programme implementation, address challenges, and coordinate with other immunization actors and provide feedback at appropriate levels.
Reporting and evidence generation:
- Contribute to periodic reports for the donors on programme delivery, including interim and final reports to donors.
- Monitor IOM DRC vaccination and support activities, collect and analyse data, and generate progress reports on IOM DRC response for internal reporting.
- In collaboration with technical coordination, support the design and implementation of evidence generation activities (e.g., surveys to understand vaccine hesitancy amongst migrant and mobile populations).
- Keep an update of the IOM-specific support, especially requirements for vaccines deliverysupport and logistics.
- Prepare immunization situation update (weekly) and integrate with regular vaccination and outbreak response reporting.
- Perform any other tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
- Master’s Degree in Epidemiology or Health, Computer Science, Statistics, or related field from an accredited academic institution with at least two years of relevant professional experience; or
- University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
- Experience in Immunization activities in humanitarian context.
- Previous experience in international organization is an advantage
- Programmatic field experience in Immunization; including planning, implementation and analysis of technical vaccinations interventions.
Skills
- Familiar with outbreak or COVID-19 response activities, the health sector in the region and/or other similar resources-limited contexts is an advantage.
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).
For all applicants, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Notes
Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).
Required Competencies:
Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
- Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
- Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
- Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
- Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
- Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
- Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
- Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
- Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
- Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
- Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
- Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.
https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.
Other:
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 14 August 2022 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment
Posting period:
From 01.08.2022 to 14.08.2022
No Fees:
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
Requisition: SVN 2022 220 Project Officer (Immunization Migrant and Mobile Populations) (P2) Kinshasa,
Democratic Republic of the Congo (57695326) Released