Expression of interest: Cholera expert to support WHO and key partners in their Cholera response

Context

By mid-2023, an unprecedented 20 countries were experiencing cholera outbreaks. This dramatic increase, which affects the poorest communities, is driven by several factors including poor access to water and sanitation services, populations unable to practice and prioritize hygiene behaviors, intense climatic events, economic inflation, and post-covid impacts where health systems have been strained. In response to this alarming situation, WHO is responding to this acute emergency. DRRS is therefore looking for a technical officer to support WHO on WASH and Cholera.

Goal of the deployment

This expected position is based in Nairobi and will primarily be focused on the African Region. The assigned tasks include, but are not limited to:  

• Providing technical expertise in assessing, planning, monitoring, evaluating, coordinating, and implementing support of environmental health interventions, with a focus on the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation services, hygiene, waste management and basic infection control (e.g., safe, and dignified burial of bodies, vector control);
• Coordinating the response between Country Offices, Regional Offices and Head Quarters, and provide technical support at all levels of the response in acute emergency;
• Providing capacity strengthening for the regional office to foster effective and efficient coordination and linkages between emergency and development activities as well as between WASH and health efforts within WHO and among key partners (e.g. UNICEF, the WASH and Health Cluster, IFRC, and MoH).

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in environmental engineering, environmental sciences, public health or other related field from an accredited/recognized institute, with training in water and sanitation;
• Strong technical background on water, sanitation, hygiene, and public health, including community engagement, water quality testing and surveillance, appropriate water and sanitation interventions, including in health care facilities, safe management of sanitation and safe management and treatment of health care waste;
• At least seven (7) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in the design and implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene assessment in Cholera context in emergency situations;
• Demonstrated knowledge of emergency response situations in the field of water, sanitation and hygiene with proven ability to identify and solve technical problems in difficult circumstances;
• Experience working with multiple organizations and (national) government entities and strategically developing and implementing collaborative plans and actions;
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with proven ability to elaborate and implement projects;
• Excellent networking and interpersonal skills with ability to promote cohesive action and convince officials with tact and diplomacy;
• Knowledge of WHO, the UN system or a nongovernmental organization (NGO) work in the field of response relief and/or of their practices and procedures as related to the work;
• Excellent knowledge of English, French is highly desirable. Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset.

Planning

The expected starting date for this assignment is to be determined, most likely November 2023. The duration of the assignment will be 6 months, with a possible extension up to 1 year maximum.

The initial duty station will be Nairobi, Kenya. During the deployment, the duty station may change and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the programme.

Interested? Kindly share a short motivation and an updated CV as soon as possible, but before Monday, September 18 to drrs@rvo.nl.