Congo: IPC Health Delegate

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 191 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

Ebola is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In May 2018, the DRC Ministry of Health (MoH) officially declared the 9th epidemic of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Equateur province. This was the ninth Ebola outbreak in the country, and the first in the province. The humanitarian community, including the Red Cross and Red Cross Crescent partners, quickly mobilized resources to face this new EVD outbreak and on 25 July the outbreak was officially declared over. This epidemic caused a total of 33 deaths for 54 cases reported (38 confirmed and 16 probable) in three affected Health zones of Wangata (Mbandaka), Bikoro and Itipo. One of the key Red Cross response during the active outbreak phase was SDBs. Over 100 RC volunteers were trained in SDB and teams responded to over 80 SDB alerts. On the 1st August the MoH officially declared a new EVD outbreak in Mabalako Health Zone, Beni territory. Following an alert from the North Kivu Provincial Health authority about a cluster of cases in Mangina end of July 2018, four samples out of six tested positive for EVD. On 6 August 2018, the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) confirmed by genetic sequencing that this latest outbreak is caused by the Zaire ebolavirus species and is not connected to the recent outbreak in Equateur Province. As of 21 August, a total of 103 EVD cases have been reported in the region, 76 of which have been confirmed and 27 which are probable. Confirmed or probable cases are localized to five Health zones in North Kivu, and one neighboring Health zone in Ituri Province. The IFRC issued on August 21st 2018 a second revision of the One International Appeal (OIA) to enable the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo Red Cross (DRC RC) and International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement) partners to respond to the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in North Kivu/Ituri, while continuing to support the DRC RC in reinforcing its organizational epidemic preparedness to deal with a potential new EVD outbreak in Equateur.

Job Purpose

The IPC Health Delegate will work as part of a team of International Red Cross and Red Crescent health team and support staff. S/he will ensure adherence to infection prevention and control protocols, contribute to a high level of biosecurity within the EVD operation aiming at limiting the risks of transmission of EVD, and ensure access to health within the operation. The IPC Health Delegate will coach, mentor and supervise both international and national staff in IPC and Health.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, organise, document and evaluate IPC measures, and ensure the coherent monitoring and implementation of health activities.
• Coach and train RC supervisors, volunteers and NS health staff in IPC-related issues.
• Assess gaps in trainings, develop and implement a plan to fill the gaps.
• Ensure that consistent infection prevention and control procedures are in place, updated and followed.
• Participate in internal or external meetings to ensure continuity and quality of work related to IPC.
• Assess new areas and health facilities for IPC interventions in accordance with IPC Commission, IFRC Coord. Beni and ICRC.
• Follow up on the provision of IPC materials for staff in Health facilities.
• Brief and support the well-being of the IFRC, NS and residence staff through recommendations and trainings.
• Support the Health Coordinator in health-related matters.
• Monitor epidemiological data, health indicators, disaster and disease patterns for analysis and early detection of Ebola virus disease concerns. Support the identification of necessary readiness and response actions to be taken, where necessary.
• Support the further development and mobilisation of national pools of qualified health practitioners.
• Support the planning, implementation and management of the health component of the DRCRC response and recovery programmes.
• Support the operation, by ensuring that the physical and mental health needs of staff are met, and that staff health procedures and medical evacuation plans are in place and updated regularly.
• Identify and document good practices on emergency health preparedness and response.
• Compile essential technical guidelines, references, reports and case studies on the Ebola virus disease preparedness and response and make them available through Federation platforms.
• Support the DRCRC’s emergency health preparedness and response capacity strengthening, in a manner that is consistent with their mandates as well as the roles agreed with national authorities related to the Ebola virus disease.
• Promote, and where possible facilitate the integration and mainstreaming of emergency health programmes and initiatives into relevant DRCRC programmes.
• Carry out other task within his/her area of responsibility as requested.

Education

Medical or other health-related degree

Post-graduate education in public health (preferred)

Diploma or training in tropical medicine, infectious diseases control, or humanitarian assistance (preferred)

Experience

At least 3 years’ health care experience

Previous work with infection prevention and control

Practical work in epidemic response

Experience in resource poor settings

Previous humanitarian aid missions

Knowledge, skills and languages

Works well in a multi-disciplinary team

Works well under pressure

Can live in basic conditions

Flexible to changing needs and fluctuating workload

Ability and willingness to follow strict infection prevention and control protocols

Good knowledge of barrier nursing

Fluently spoken and written English

Good command of French

Interested applicants are invited to submit their applications via the following page:

http://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=15975