Context
Médecins Sans Frontières Switzerland is reinforcing its emergency response capacity to support a large-scale Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak currently affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The outbreak is expected to require a sustained operational response over an extended period and carries a significant risk of cross-border transmission to neighbouring countries.
The Emergency Ebola Watsan Coordinator will provide strategic and operational leadership for WASH and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) activities throughout the response. The position requires a highly experienced emergency professional capable of rapidly deploying to outbreak hotspots, establishing and supporting Ebola Treatment Centres (ETCs), and strengthening community-based transmission control activities, including Safe and Dignified Burial (SDB) and ambulance referral systems.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
As part of MSF Switzerland’s Emergency Pool, the successful candidate will be expected to:
• Support ongoing Ebola outbreak response activities in DRC and potentially in neighboring countries affected by the outbreak.
• Deploy rapidly to new transmission areas as the epidemiological situation evolves.
• Provide technical leadership and coordination in both acute emergency phases and longer-term outbreak management.
• Contribute to preparedness, contingency planning and surge capacity development in countries at risk of Ebola transmission.
• Support other emergency interventions when operational priorities require.
- Direct technical support to field operations
- Promote and implement water & sanitation activities of the mission (implement or facilitate)
- Lead the design, construction, commissioning and operational management of Ebola Treatment Centres (ETCs), Transit Centres and Isolation Units.
- Ensure implementation of WASH and IPC measures in high-risk Ebola environments, including patient flow, zoning, decontamination and waste management systems.
- Provide technical support for Safe and Dignified Burial (SDB) activities and associated decontamination procedures.
- Support ambulance referral systems, including vehicle decontamination, patient transport procedures and staff safety measures.
- Conduct rapid assessments of Ebola transmission risks and recommend mitigation measures.
- Support community outreach activities related to infection prevention, hygiene promotion and Ebola control measures.
- Assume the post of WHS Coordinator, where appropriate, in emergencies.
- Contribution to missions operational strategies
- Shares information with medical and logistic coordinators to identify potential WHS related activities to develop
- Contribute to Ebola outbreak response strategies in close collaboration with medical, IPC and health promotion teams.
- Advise on preparedness and surge capacity for Ebola and other viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks.
- Support development of outbreak-specific WASH and IPC contingency plans.
- Management and supervision
- Contribute to the definition of Watsan team required in emergency
- Organize and prioritize the Watsan team members according to needs.
- In the field provides coaching to WHS and logistic teams both local staff and expatriate
- Follow up of wash specific supply and budget line in mission.
- Compile orders coming from the team he/she supervises
- Validate orders according to the finance validation grid
- Follow up and ensure dispatch according to priorities
- validate local suppliers.
- Clean up stock and Eprep stocks
Duty Station
Initial deployment is expected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in support of the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease outbreak response.
The position is field-based and may require deployment to any country affected by, or at risk of being affected by, the outbreak, including neighbouring countries where cross-border transmission or preparedness activities are required.
Your Profile
- Minimum 24 months of humanitarian WASH experience in emergency contexts.
- Demonstrated experience in at least Two Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak response.
- Proven experience in establishing and/or managing Ebola Treatment Centres (ETCs), Isolation Units or similar infectious disease treatment facilities.
- Proven experience supporting Safe and Dignified Burial (SDB) operations during an Ebola outbreak.
- Experience supervising ambulance decontamination and patient referral activities in outbreak settings.
Requirements
- A demonstrable understanding of the need to integrate Medical and Public Health/WatSan activities,
- Good, hands-on experience of deploying and using MSF WatSan kits in the field
- Advanced knowledge of Ebola transmission pathways and operational outbreak control measures.
- Strong expertise in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in Ebola Treatment Centres and other high-risk healthcare settings.
- Experience with infectious healthcare waste management, wastewater treatment and environmental decontamination in Ebola contexts.
- Ability to train and mentor national staff on Ebola-specific WASH and IPC procedures.
- Experience coordinating with Ministries of Health, WHO, UNICEF and other Ebola response actors.
- Previous MSF Ebola response experience considered a strong asset
- A flexible and solution-oriented mentality and the ability to be decisive in chaotic circumstances,
- Proven capacity for coordination and organization
- Ability to prioritize work, manage teams and communicate clearly decisions
- Capacity to work in a volatile, insecure context and deal with stress
- Ability to work as part of a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team
- Availability, flexibility, mobility
- Fluency in both French and English is essential
- Advanced knowledge of Ebola transmission pathways and operational outbreak control measures.
- Strong expertise in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in Ebola Treatment Centres and other high-risk healthcare settings.
- Experience with infectious healthcare waste management, wastewater treatment and environmental decontamination in Ebola contexts.
- Ability to train and mentor national staff on Ebola-specific WASH and IPC procedures.
- Experience coordinating with Ministries of Health, WHO, UNICEF and other Ebola response actors.
- Previous MSF Ebola response experience considered a strong asset.
Terms of Employment
- Field-based contract, fixed-term for one year, renewable
- Per-diem in the field during assignments;
- During missions’ standby at home, the Emergency Watsan technical Referent commits herself/himself to be available at any time in order to be deployed within 48 hours, she/he must be reachable in all circumstances
How to apply
nterested candidates should complete their application in English by following the link below:
Please include:
- CV 2 pages. max.
- letter of motivation 1p. max.
MSF is an equal Employer and does not charge any application/recruitment or training fee. MSFCH welcomes applications from people of all sexual or gender identities and encourages women to apply.
The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your personal data only for the recruitment process (i.e. receive all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment process, validation of best applications and selection of the most suitable candidate). Your personal data will be treated confidentially. MSF will not use your personal data in any other way other than for the purposes of this recruitment.
We encourage applications from people of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, backgrounds, religions, beliefs, abilities, and all other characteristics of diversity.
MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including Sexual harassment.
The deadline for applications is 30.06.2026
The applications will be treated confidentially.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.