Website World Health Organization (WHO)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) Preparedness Officer – UN Volunteer
Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV) / World Health Organization (WHO)
Duty Station: Zanzibar, Tanzania
Job Type: Full-time Volunteer Assignment
About WHO
Founded in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting health, protecting populations from health emergencies, and supporting countries to achieve the highest possible standard of health.
WHO works with governments, partners, and communities to strengthen health systems, respond to emergencies, and protect vulnerable populations.
Background and Context
The ongoing Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) outbreak in neighbouring countries presents a risk of cross-border transmission into the United Republic of Tanzania.
Zanzibar faces increased vulnerability due to:
- International airport operations
- Seaports
- High population mobility
- Cross-border movement
WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health Zanzibar to strengthen preparedness efforts through:
- Disease surveillance
- Laboratory readiness
- Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
- Case management
- Logistics support
- Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE)
- Points of Entry (PoE) preparedness
- Continuity of Essential Health Services (CEHS)
- Emergency coordination
- Rapid response mechanisms
The UN Volunteer will provide technical and operational support to strengthen preparedness planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and capacity building.
Position Purpose
Under the supervision of the WHO Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Team Lead and the WHO Liaison Officer for Zanzibar, the UN Volunteer will support implementation of BVD preparedness activities and strengthen operational readiness of the Ministry of Health.
Key Responsibilities
1. Preparedness Planning and Implementation
The UN Volunteer will:
- Support implementation of the BVD preparedness workplan.
- Assist in organizing preparedness activities at national and district levels.
- Support implementation of preparedness interventions across technical areas.
- Follow up on agreed preparedness actions and ensure progress tracking.
2. Technical Support
Provide support in implementing preparedness activities related to:
- Disease surveillance
- Laboratory preparedness
- Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
- Case management
- Logistics and supply management
- Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE)
- Points of Entry (PoE)
- Continuity of Essential Health Services (CEHS)
Additional responsibilities include:
- Supporting preparedness activities in high-risk districts and entry points.
- Participating in field missions and supportive supervision visits.
- Supporting simulation exercises, emergency drills, and preparedness reviews.
3. Monitoring and Documentation
Responsibilities include:
- Maintaining preparedness activity trackers.
- Updating preparedness monitoring tools and dashboards.
- Monitoring progress against preparedness plans.
- Documenting:
- Lessons learned
- Best practices
- Implementation experiences
4. Information Management and Reporting
The UN Volunteer will:
- Prepare weekly preparedness updates.
- Draft mission reports and technical reports.
- Support preparation of Situation Reports (SitReps).
- Assist in compiling monthly preparedness progress reports.
- Support accurate documentation of emergency response activities.
5. Capacity Building Support
Support training and capacity development activities by:
- Organizing training workshops and orientations.
- Assisting in preparation of training materials.
- Providing technical and logistical support during:
- Training sessions
- Simulation exercises
- Preparedness activities
6. Partner Coordination Support
The role will support coordination activities by:
- Organizing technical meetings.
- Preparing meeting minutes.
- Developing action matrices.
- Following up on implementation of agreed actions.
7. Other Duties
- Support preparedness activities for other public health emergencies when required.
- Perform additional duties assigned by:
- WHO Representative
- WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) Team Lead
Expected Results / Deliverables
By the end of the assignment, the UN Volunteer is expected to contribute to:
- Timely implementation of BVD preparedness activities in Zanzibar.
- Updated preparedness monitoring tools, dashboards, and action trackers.
- Production of weekly preparedness updates and monthly progress reports.
- Technical support for:
- Preparedness assessments
- Field supervision missions
- Simulation exercises
- Successful support of training workshops and preparedness meetings.
- Timely preparation of:
- Mission reports
- Meeting reports
- Situation Reports
- Improved documentation of preparedness activities and lessons learned.
- Strengthened preparedness capacity of Ministry of Health staff through technical support and mentoring.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the official United Nations Volunteers (UNV) recruitment platform.
To apply for this job please visit app.unv.org.