UNICEF WCARO
TERMES OF REFERENCE
Position Title: Cholera Specialist
Duty Station: Cotonou
Country: Benin
Region: WCARO
Job Level: P-3
Application Close: 10th of March 2015
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Duration: 364 days
1. Purpose of the Position
Epidemic context
In the West and Sahel Africa, at least 30,000 cases and 1,000 deaths of cholera are reported each year with an
average Case Fatality Ratio of 3.05% (WHO, 1999-2011). The trend is increasing with about 50,000 cases per
year between 2010 and 2014, which is nearly half of the cases bear by Africa. In addition, many cases and
particularly community deaths are not reported. Epidemiological surveillance and reporting system remain very
variable from one country to another, and is far from being efficient in most at risk districts.
The major areas of cholera dissemination in the region are the following:
- Gulf of Guinea: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo;
- Lake Chad Basin: Cameroon, Niger (Southeast), Nigeria, Chad;
- Niger River Basin: Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger (Southwest).
In 2014, approximately 70,000 cases of cholera and 1,000 deaths were reported in the West and Sahel Africa
region (week 52). Major outbreaks have been recorded in the Lake Chad Basin and along the coast of Guinea.
In 2015, the conditions are met for this "complex" outbreak to continue in the Lake Chad Basin. The first
quarter of 2015 is a pivotal year beginning in a context where cholera epidemics in the coastal countries of
Ghana, Benin, Togo and recently the Ivory Coast affect countries at risk of EVD and threaten the countries
already affected by the virus.
Cholera initiatives in the region
Since 2009, the UNICEF regional office pays special attention to cholera issues in the region. Studies to
understand the epidemiology of the disease and to feed risk reduction and response strategies were conducted
in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad.
Since March 2012, UNICEF is engaged in the coordination of the cholera regional platform which gathers
major agencies and donors involved in the fight against this disease. A formalized strategy named “shield and
sword” is promoted by the platform. This strategy is based on a rapid and targeted response in affected areas
following cases investigation and mapping (sword) and sustainable interventions in cholera hotspots to prevent
the occurrence of further epidemics (shield).
In June 2014, the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) was re-launched by WHO and promotes the
implementation of sustainable WASH interventions coupled with vaccination campaigns in hot spots.
The role of the GTFCC is also to coordinate the various initiatives in the fight against cholera worldwide
through working groups by thematic.
In 2013 and 2014, the UNICEF regional office entered in a partnership with ECHO as part of a regional
programme to fight against cholera. In 2015, the regional office wishes to continue to contribute to the
reduction of cholera epidemics in the region.
Under the supervision of the Regional WASH Cholera Expert, in close collaboration with the Cholera
Information Manager Officer, the Cholera Specialist coordinates the implementation of the regional
programme (2015/2016) of cholera outbreaks reduction in the south Gulf of Guinea (Benin, Togo, Ghana,
Ivory Coast).
2. Major Duties/Responsibilities
The Cholera Specialist together with the IMO coordinates the implementation of the regional programme
against cholera outbreak in the south Gulf of Guinea in close collaboration with:
 the Cholera Expert and the IMO based in Dakar;
 the Cholera Regional Platform and the WASH Regional Group;
 Cholera focal points of UNICEF Country Offices concerned (Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast);
 WASH and Health Clusters or Sectorial Groups focal points, Cholera Taskforces / platforms or Intercluster of countries targeted (Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast).
The Cholera Specialist will be responsible for the following:
Advocacy, Strategic Representation and Partnerships
 Advocate for raising funds for sustainable WASH interventions in cholera hot spots in targeted countries
(Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast);
 Continued coordination with WASH and Health clusters/sectorial groups and cholera Task force in the
Gulf of Guinea ;
 Formalize and operationalize the cross-border collaboration between (Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast);
Technical Assistance & Capacity Development
 Support the elaboration of key national strategic documents against cholera (action plan, road map,
strategy) in targeted countries ;
 Support for cholera preparedness and training of UNICEF country offices and sectorial groups (WASH,
Health, Social mobilization) in Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast;
 Support the operationalization of the shield and sword strategy through real time case investigation and
mapping.
Knowledge Management, Evidence Generation
 Frame multidisciplinary studies (WASH, Social Sciences, Epidemiology) in hot spots for behavior change;
 Launch operational research programme on cholera (molecular biology, environmental samplings, WASH
interventions impact, etc.);
 Develop and broadcast with the IMO the mapping of actors and resources (monthly);
 Collect, Revise and broadcast the regional tools.
Oversight and Quality Assurance
 Write the various donors and internal reports on time
Surge Capacity
 Support to countries with needs for surge support (Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone,
Guinea and Guinea Bissau)
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3. Key Expected Results
This programme builds on the previous regional one (2013/2014) and aims to help reduce the incidence of
cholera outbreaks in 14 countries in West Africa. The Cholera specialist will be responsible of the following
expected results in the Gulf of Guinea (Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast)
1. Improved epidemiological surveillance and mapping of actors in the Gulf of Guinea;
2. Preaparedness and early response in one epidemic basin (Lake Chad) via:

A capacity of rapid response and coordination ;

Training and sharing of regional tools in line with the regional shield and sword strategy;

The operationalization of inter-country cooperation frameworks in high risk border areas.
3. The adoption by countries of a national roadmap or multi-sectorial action plan based on lessons learned,
epidemiological evidence and mainstreaming of cholera hot spot;
4. Advocacy by country offices to increase sustainable investment in cholera hot spots;
The main indicators to measure the results above are:
 Broadcast of the mapping of actors and resources on a monthly basis

% of targeted countries that adopted a reference document against cholera outbreak

% of actors responding to the outbreak following case investigation

% of border districts that have an inter-country directory
4. Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Education:
-
Hydraulic or water management engineering diploma / Masters degree in water and sanitation or in
environment and Hygiene;
or
- Masters degree in Public Health;
Work Experience:
-
At least 5 years’ experience of which more than half conducting cholera emergency response programme in
several countries at local, national and cross-border level;
-
Have developed or participated in the development of reference materials about cholera: manual, guide,
national plan, strategy or integrated cholera study;
-
Have worked in several epidemic contexts in close collaboration with ministries, divisions or services
related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Disease Prevention and Control;
-
Have worked in the management of database and GIS mapping (Geographic Information System) of the
cholera or other diseases epidemiological situation at regional, country and district level;
-
Have participated in the organization of a workshop on lesson learned from the response to a cholera
outbreak and / or the development or review of a strategic plan against cholera.
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5. Competencies of Successful Candidate
Critical Competencies:
-
Knowledge of the multi-sectorial strategies against cholera in terms of preparedness, response, prevention
and risk reduction
-
Knowledge of transmission context and the dynamics of cholera outbreak in the West and Central Africa
region ;
-
Ability to report with GIS Mapping (Geographic Information System) ;
-
Ability to communicate and share with governmental and non-governmental partners the analysis of
epidemiological data and the level of consistency of preaparedness and response efforts to cholera
outbreak;
-
Ability to work closely with governmental partners to develop control or elimination plan for cholera or
other epidemic disease ;
-
Ability to advocate with donors for supporting strategies against cholera and fund mobilization ;
Languages:
Fluency in French is required. Please note that working knowledge of English is required for all assignments.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------UNICEF West and Central Africa Country Offices are located in the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon,
Cape Verde (UN Joint Office), Central African Republic, Chad, DR Congo, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea,
Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao tome & Principe, Senegal,
Sierra Leone, Togo.
If you are qualified and interested in the position and meet the requirements, please forward your application with updated
curriculum vitae and UN Personal History Form (available at www.unicef.org/employ), with “the title of the position as
the subject’’, via email to wcarohr@unicef.org and asagnatoure@unicef.org by 10th of March 2015.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male
candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to
become a part of our organization.
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