1. Background and Justification

*Purpose of the Position

On 27 September 2024, the Rwanda Ministry of Health announced the confirmation of Marburg virus disease (MVD). Blood samples taken from people showing symptoms were tested by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the National Reference Laboratory of the Rwanda Biomedical Center and were positive for Marburg virus. As of 29 September 2024, a total of 26 confirmed cases, including eight deaths have been reported. The cases are reported from seven of the 30 districts in the country. Among the confirmed cases, over 70% are healthcare workers from two health facilities in Kigali. The patients are being cared for in hospitals. Contact tracing is underway, with 300 contacts under follow-up.
In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS), at the country level, the incumbent will provide technical expertise to the incident management system in planning, monitoring, evaluating, coordinating the environmental health interventions with a focus on provision of safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, hygiene, and infection control with focus on Marburg transit or treatment center as well as quarantine facilities.
Provide technical advice and on-site support to develop national technical and institutional capacities for the implementation of primary prevention interventions, particularly those related to safety of drinking water, safe sanitation, waste management, and chemical management.
 

2. Job Description

*Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinator international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.
 

*Organizational context

Under the supervision of the Team Lead, the overall guidance of the Incident Manager and WHO Head of Country Office, and working closely with counterparts at the respective regional office, HQ, other WHO staff and partners, the incumbent acts as the specialist for the assessment of the national water, sanitation and hygiene situation. This involves ongoing contacts with a broad
range of WHO staff and responders as well as a broad range of official from the Ministry of Health (MOH), to provide expertise and authoritative advice on priority actions to be taken and contribute in designing and implementing water and sanitation plans of action pertaining to the incident management, including identifying needs, resources and gaps, negotiating access to common logistics facilities at country level.
 

*Summary of Assigned Duties

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme.
 

1. Conduct emergency rapid assessment for WASH (water, hygiene, sanitation, waste management), vector control and infection control inventory and needs in the health facilities and for the health activities required in response to the emergency incident.
2. Follow up and report country progress on WASH activities within the health facilities and for health activities in the context of the incident management system. Identify gaps and propose remedial actions.
3. Provide technical expertise, and when required, onsite support to the health partners on WASH, coordinating and proactively participate in the design and implementation of plans to build up or rehabilitate emergency health facilities.
4. Provide onsite support to ensure applicability and appropriate implementation of the recommended infection control activities in the health facilities and for the health activities supported by the WHO, specifically for medical waste management, safe and dignified burial of infectious bodies, health staff and patients protection.
5. Ensure that WASH, vector control and infection control set up in the health facilities and for health activities are conducted and set according to Sphere and WHO Standards.
6. Secure water, hygiene, sanitation and infection control for health activities within the WASH cluster, providing implementation guidance.
7. Conduct required training for MOH staff and WHO partners to build up local competences and facilitate the compliance with the WASH standards for all health activities.
8. Draft required evaluation or situation reports to ensure appropriated communication with OSL lead and all related technical experts.
9. Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

3. Recruitment Profile

Competencies: Generic

 

• • Teamwork;
  • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;
  • Communication;

 

Functional Knowledge and Skills

 

*Describe the essential knowledge and the skills specific to the position

• • Demonstrated knowledge of emergency response situations in the field of water and sanitation with proven ability to identify and solve technical problems in difficult circumstances.
  • Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with proven ability to elaborate and implement projects.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to promote cohesive actions and convince officials with tact and diplomacy.
  • Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual information.
  • Knowledge of WHO, the UN System or NGO work in the field of response relief and/or of their practices and procedures as related to the work.

 

Education Qualifications

 

*Essential

First university degree in engineering, health of humanitarian logistics or other related field from an accredited/recognized institute, with specialization in water and sanitation.
 

Desirable

Advanced university (Master’s level or above) in public health water, sanitation and hygiene. Degree or training in computer applications in water and sanitation project design and related database systems.
 

Experience

 

*Essential

Previous experience with Ebola or Marburg outbreak responses. At least five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in the design and implementation of water and sanitation assessment and/or the design and management of related projects in emergency situations. Experience in developing and promoting collaborative actions with national authorities.
 

Desirable

Some experience or a sound knowledge of WHO mandate and goals or in UN organizations/agencies, international institutions, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or NGOs.