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An increase in the epidemiological outlook is occurring as the virus spreads through regions already burdened by a multifaceted humanitarian crisis. Chronic insecurity, exacerbated by armed groups like CODECO and the ADF, severely limits access to vulnerable communities. Furthermore, massive displacement—including over 1.9 million IDPs in Ituri—coupled with urban migration and mining operations in high-impact zones, continues to complicate the response environment.
Frontline health personnel, particularly midwives and nurses, face extreme exposure risks, with women bearing a disproportionate impact. Fear of infection is deterring pregnant and lactating women from seeking professional care, threatening a surge in maternal deaths similar to the 2014-2016 crisis in West Africa. Consequently, UNFPA is prioritizing the sustained delivery of critical SRH and GBV services to help prevent avoidable illness and deaths, protect the rights and dignity of affected populations, and address the disproportionate impact of the outbreak on women and girls. Under the established Ebola response plan, UNFPA leads the PSEA pillar while supporting IPC, risk communication and community engagement. To effectively execute this mandate, the Country Office requires an immediate expansion of its SRH capacity in the field.
Under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Senior Management Team (SMT)—comprising the Representative, Deputy Representative, and International Operations Manager—and SRH output lead for UNFPA country programme in the DRC - under the direct authority of the Head of the Decentralized Office in the East, the incumbent works under the technical supervision of the SRH Specialist and the overall coordination of the Humanitarian Coordinator, while responding directly to the coordination frameworks established by the Public Health/Infectious Diseases Management Specialist based in Bunia. Operating within the framework of the Minimum Initial Services Package (MISP) and UNFPA’s Priority Emergency Response Interventions (PERI), the incumbent promotes and scales up Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) programming and services in outbreak-affected areas, ensuring robust linkages to the Country Office's overall programming.
Responsibilities include facilitating the rapid procurement and delivery of emergency medical supplies and equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and providing orientation on critical SRH issues such as reproductive, maternal, and newborn health, family planning information and services, STI and HIV prevention, care, and treatment, and care for survivors of violence. Furthermore, the incumbent ensures the strict integration of SRH with Gender-Based Violence (GBV) mitigation, Clinical Management of Rape (CMR), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) interventions.
The role is also vital in establishing strategic partnerships with humanitarian stakeholders, NGOs, donors, and government counterparts, eventually guiding the transition toward comprehensive SRH services as the situation stabilizes. Finally, within the current context of resource restructuring, the incumbent will be responsible for establishing and leading the coordination of the SRH Working Group in parts of North Kivu that are not under the control of the de facto authorities, safeguarding the continuity of principled health and protection lifelines.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: We ask Country offices to review the list of duties and responsibilities and make appropriate amendments where necessary,
MISP Rollout and Programme Implementation:
Monitoring and Evaluation:
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.
UNFPA-SRH Programme Specialist-P3-Beni, DRC
Beni, DRC Position Title: SRH Programme Specialist
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3
Location: Beni, DRC
Duration: 3 months
Language: French and English
Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request
Following the emergence of suspected Ebola Virus Disease cases in Ituri province, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) transitioned to response mode on May 14, 2026. The Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare declared an official epidemic the following day, identifying the Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BVD) strain—a variant for which no vaccine currently exists. With Uganda simultaneously declaring an outbreak, the WHO Director-General designated the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026. Collaborative epidemiological surveillance is now active alongside Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Central African Republic, and South Sudan. Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3
Location: Beni, DRC
Duration: 3 months
Language: French and English
Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request
An increase in the epidemiological outlook is occurring as the virus spreads through regions already burdened by a multifaceted humanitarian crisis. Chronic insecurity, exacerbated by armed groups like CODECO and the ADF, severely limits access to vulnerable communities. Furthermore, massive displacement—including over 1.9 million IDPs in Ituri—coupled with urban migration and mining operations in high-impact zones, continues to complicate the response environment.
Frontline health personnel, particularly midwives and nurses, face extreme exposure risks, with women bearing a disproportionate impact. Fear of infection is deterring pregnant and lactating women from seeking professional care, threatening a surge in maternal deaths similar to the 2014-2016 crisis in West Africa. Consequently, UNFPA is prioritizing the sustained delivery of critical SRH and GBV services to help prevent avoidable illness and deaths, protect the rights and dignity of affected populations, and address the disproportionate impact of the outbreak on women and girls. Under the established Ebola response plan, UNFPA leads the PSEA pillar while supporting IPC, risk communication and community engagement. To effectively execute this mandate, the Country Office requires an immediate expansion of its SRH capacity in the field.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats: (i.e armed conflict, terrorism, crime, social unrest, hazard)
Beni Security Area of Responsibility was created within the Grand Nord Security Area of Nord Kivu Province. It covers the northernmost part of the province, bordering Ituri Province to the North, Butembo AoR to the south, Uganda to the east and Lubero AOR to the west.
Over the last five years, the Beni Area has been characterized by an intractable armed conflict, making it one of the most unstable parts of the country.
The current security situation in the Grand Nord is relatively stable but unpredictable, particularly in Beni territory; however, the situation is relatively calm in Beni town due to the special regime of State of Emergency and the presence in Beni of all the provincial authorities from Goma after the fall of Goma to the M23 in January 2025.
Armed conflict: The main actors are the M23, allegedly backed by the RDF (Rwandan forces), fighting the FARDC and its allies, the Mai Mai/Wazelendo groups. The front line and buffer zone between FARDC and M23-RDF is Katondi, around 10 km from Lubero center.
Terrorism: The Grand Nord is prone to terrorism with the presence of the ADF, which claims affiliation with ISIS. They operate more in the Beni territory (Beni-Eringeti, Beni-Kasindi, Mbau-Kamango) and carry out attacks on civilians in several villages, the Force Armée de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC), whether static or mobile. They have rarely attacked MONUSCO forces.
They also lay ambushes against private vehicles, particularly along Beni-Eringeti Road and Mbau-Kamango road; invade villages where they kill, loot (food and medicines), and kidnap women and children. They are notorious for killing whoever witnesses their acts or movement. This AG constitutes a real threat to UNSMS personnel and programmes in the zone. Of note is that the ADF is operating in small groups and keeps moving in the remote areas of the North and North West of Beni Territory up to beyond Mangina and Kantine.
Crime: Currently, crime in Beni and Beni territory is perpetrated by civilians but also by ill-disciplined members of the local security forces (Those crimes are characterized by break-ins, killings, lootings, and rapes, and most of these incidents take place at nighttime).
Civil Unrest: This is typically associated with peaceful demonstrations/protests by civil society members or the two main activist groups, LUCHA, Veranda MUCHANGA, and political parties’ leaders for diverse reasons. These demonstrations/protests sometimes resort to stone-throwing incidents. Violent attacks have been committed against the UN and the international community, but also against the large massacre of civilians by ADF in Beni territory.
Hazard: Beni area is not a natural hazard zone. However, road traffic accidents are due to reckless driving by the large presence of motorcyclists on all roads in urban and remote areas.
Role Description:Beni Security Area of Responsibility was created within the Grand Nord Security Area of Nord Kivu Province. It covers the northernmost part of the province, bordering Ituri Province to the North, Butembo AoR to the south, Uganda to the east and Lubero AOR to the west.
Over the last five years, the Beni Area has been characterized by an intractable armed conflict, making it one of the most unstable parts of the country.
The current security situation in the Grand Nord is relatively stable but unpredictable, particularly in Beni territory; however, the situation is relatively calm in Beni town due to the special regime of State of Emergency and the presence in Beni of all the provincial authorities from Goma after the fall of Goma to the M23 in January 2025.
Armed conflict: The main actors are the M23, allegedly backed by the RDF (Rwandan forces), fighting the FARDC and its allies, the Mai Mai/Wazelendo groups. The front line and buffer zone between FARDC and M23-RDF is Katondi, around 10 km from Lubero center.
Terrorism: The Grand Nord is prone to terrorism with the presence of the ADF, which claims affiliation with ISIS. They operate more in the Beni territory (Beni-Eringeti, Beni-Kasindi, Mbau-Kamango) and carry out attacks on civilians in several villages, the Force Armée de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC), whether static or mobile. They have rarely attacked MONUSCO forces.
They also lay ambushes against private vehicles, particularly along Beni-Eringeti Road and Mbau-Kamango road; invade villages where they kill, loot (food and medicines), and kidnap women and children. They are notorious for killing whoever witnesses their acts or movement. This AG constitutes a real threat to UNSMS personnel and programmes in the zone. Of note is that the ADF is operating in small groups and keeps moving in the remote areas of the North and North West of Beni Territory up to beyond Mangina and Kantine.
Crime: Currently, crime in Beni and Beni territory is perpetrated by civilians but also by ill-disciplined members of the local security forces (Those crimes are characterized by break-ins, killings, lootings, and rapes, and most of these incidents take place at nighttime).
Civil Unrest: This is typically associated with peaceful demonstrations/protests by civil society members or the two main activist groups, LUCHA, Veranda MUCHANGA, and political parties’ leaders for diverse reasons. These demonstrations/protests sometimes resort to stone-throwing incidents. Violent attacks have been committed against the UN and the international community, but also against the large massacre of civilians by ADF in Beni territory.
Hazard: Beni area is not a natural hazard zone. However, road traffic accidents are due to reckless driving by the large presence of motorcyclists on all roads in urban and remote areas.
Under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Senior Management Team (SMT)—comprising the Representative, Deputy Representative, and International Operations Manager—and SRH output lead for UNFPA country programme in the DRC - under the direct authority of the Head of the Decentralized Office in the East, the incumbent works under the technical supervision of the SRH Specialist and the overall coordination of the Humanitarian Coordinator, while responding directly to the coordination frameworks established by the Public Health/Infectious Diseases Management Specialist based in Bunia. Operating within the framework of the Minimum Initial Services Package (MISP) and UNFPA’s Priority Emergency Response Interventions (PERI), the incumbent promotes and scales up Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) programming and services in outbreak-affected areas, ensuring robust linkages to the Country Office's overall programming.
Responsibilities include facilitating the rapid procurement and delivery of emergency medical supplies and equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and providing orientation on critical SRH issues such as reproductive, maternal, and newborn health, family planning information and services, STI and HIV prevention, care, and treatment, and care for survivors of violence. Furthermore, the incumbent ensures the strict integration of SRH with Gender-Based Violence (GBV) mitigation, Clinical Management of Rape (CMR), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) interventions.
The role is also vital in establishing strategic partnerships with humanitarian stakeholders, NGOs, donors, and government counterparts, eventually guiding the transition toward comprehensive SRH services as the situation stabilizes. Finally, within the current context of resource restructuring, the incumbent will be responsible for establishing and leading the coordination of the SRH Working Group in parts of North Kivu that are not under the control of the de facto authorities, safeguarding the continuity of principled health and protection lifelines.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: We ask Country offices to review the list of duties and responsibilities and make appropriate amendments where necessary,
MISP Rollout and Programme Implementation:
- Conduct/lead rapid assessment/s of SRH needs of the affected population.
- Elaborate tools to support Multisector Initial Rapid Assessments (MIRA) and integration of SRH and MISP indicators into other multisector tools.
- Co-lead with national partners the RH technical working group under the Health Cluster that has been established for the response.
- Oversee (in collaboration with the Logistics/Procurement officer) procurement of emergency RH kits, equipment and medical supplies as well as dignity kits; quantify needs in collaboration with national programme of reproductive health's provincial arm and develop a distribution plan to meet the needs of implementing partners other identified NGOs for RH services, monitor distribution and ensure utilization reporting.
- Based on MISP projection and rapid assessment findings, implement the MISP (Minimum Initial Service Package) through RH working group implementing partners, as well as the CMR Task force/working group.
- Oversee (with the M&E officer) the monitoring of MISP and PERI implementation, as well as ensure coordination with the GBV programming and interventions.
- Explore other opportunities and entry points to deliver SRH services for specific at risk vulnerable groups affected by the crisis,
- Initiate and coordinate training sessions on the MISP SRH, SRH in emergencies (for health care providers, community services officers, security personnel, IDP population, host population, etc.).
- Assist in developing/adapting protocols for selected areas in programme coordination (such as Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) including strict balancing of maternal survival needs with aggressive infection prevention. Protocols emphasize minimizing healthcare worker exposure while providing optimized supportive care, , syndromic case management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), MHPSS, referral for EmONC , midwifery, medical response to survivors of rape, counselling and family planning services, etc.), as well as linkages to PSEA mechanism; and GBV case management/system.
- Support COs to strengthen the implementation of MISP and PERI priorities and to assess progress towards achievement with technical tools and approaches, and to accelerate implementation of activities funded through CERF, UNFPA Emergency Response Fund, and others.
- Provide inputs for SitReps and other communication products, as required.
- Ensure an effective response that integrates SRH (including ASRH), GBV, PSEA, AAP and data interventions.
- Develop an exit strategy, which includes the transition to evidence-based, comprehensive SRH programmes.
- Ensure SRH needs are addressed within the Health cluster (if cluster approach is activated in the emergency context), other multisector coordination mechanisms and within OCHA/HCT Situation Reports.
- Anchor UNFPA’s field-level emergency response on the ground in Beni, ensuring that localized health, protection, and operational developments are systematically fed back to the centralized 8-pillar Ebola response architecture in Bunia.
- Maintain working relationships and share relevant information with the Health Cluster.
- Establish strong linkages between existing SRH and GBV programmes with regard to the health sector response for survivors of sexual violence.
- Serve as the primary field-level operational link for Ebola/SRH response in Beni to ensure that priorities, resource needs, and access constraints on the ground are accurately represented within the strategic decision-making pillars in Bunia.
- Assist CO in developing proposals and fund raising for SRH programming.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Monitor SRH services provided by UNFPA through implementing partners to crisis affected populations.
- Conduct monitoring visits, if requested and applicable.
- Maintain a database on SRH commodities, including EPP supplies and share information. with relevant coordinating UN agencies, and other partners.
- Monitor frequently the utilization of SRH services and recommend strategies for safe service continuity.
- Provide coaching to newly recruited staff and consultants, where appropriate.
- Coach and build capacity of staff members and staff of implementing partners responding to humanitarian/emergency crises, as needed.
- Support capacity building for health care providers notably midwives in EmONC and EVD surveillance, Obstetric IPC, FP and safe and post abortal care.
- Perform any other duties as required by the Representative and/or management at the CO, RO, and/or HQ.
- An advanced University degree in Medical sciences or public health, or equivalent qualifications;
- 5 or more years working experience in the field of reproductive health, preferably in the UN system or INGO;
- Ability to work in a team with a good spirit of collaboration and to withstand pressure,
- Experience in coordination and implementation of Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health;
- Humanitarian experience and international experience are of added advantage;
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.