UNICEF Consultancy: C4D Ebola Viral Disease National Officers Mid-level consultancy Jobs in South Sudan

UNICEF Consultancy: C4D Ebola Viral Disease National Officers Mid-level consultancy Jobs in South Sudan

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Background/Rationale for the Assignment

Following the continuously Ebola outbreak in DRC and the significant risk of cross-border spread to neighboring countries, WHO prioritized 9 countries for Ebola preparedness and response in line with their proximity to the outbreak epicenter and health system capacity to cope with EVD.

South Sudan, along with Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, is categorized as the priority one.

The continuous risk of EVD spread from DR Congo is emphasized due to the fact that South Sudan has reported three indigenous outbreaks in the past.

The outbreaks occurred in 1976, 1979, and 2005 and all the outbreaks occurred in the Western Equatoria state hub. The first two outbreaks occurred in Nzara and Maridi while the third outbreak occurred in Yambio alongside with a measles outbreak.

These trends therefore suggest that even without the risk of EVD spread from the current outbreak in DR Congo, South Sudan harbors the reservoirs for EVD since the Greater Equatoria region shares the same ecological features with endemic locations in DR Congo.

As part of the prepared response, UNICEF is working in close coordination with Ministry of Health, WHO and other partners and is actively engaged in the EVD preparedness contingency planning that aims to ensure alignment of preparedness and to be continued for readiness actions in the coming months.

UNICEF's C4D role as lead agency for risk communication includes: