General context:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian and development organizations. For 80 years, the IRC has been at the forefront of all major humanitarian initiatives aimed at helping people displaced by war, persecution, or civil conflict. The IRC provides life-saving assistance to help people survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (EPRU) leads global emergency preparedness and response activities. The EPRU’s mission is to help meet the immediate survival needs and alleviate the suffering of populations affected by conflict or disaster during the acute phase of an emergency.
Context:
The Ministry of Health of the DRC officially declared the 17th Ebola virus disease outbreak on May 15, 2026, after confirming cases caused by the Bundibugyo (BDBV) species in Ituri province, in northeastern DRC. The outbreak was initially detected in and around the health zones of Mongbwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia.
On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to the risk of regional spread and the challenging operational context. The IRC is currently preparing to support the control of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Ituri and North Kivu regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The IRC will primarily focus its efforts on supporting existing primary healthcare facilities (PHFs) to ensure the safe continuity of services. This support will include establishing EVD testing and isolation in PHFs, as well as strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC) practices across all facilities.
Scope of the position:
Under the supervision of the Health Coordinator, the IPC Manager will provide strategic and technical leadership for the implementation of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) activities in IRC-supported health facilities. They will directly supervise the Mobile IPC Unit Team Leaders and work closely with program managers, Ministry of Health (MoH) counterparts, and health facility staff to strengthen IPC systems, standards, and practices. They will oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance of IPC interventions, while also providing training, supportive supervision, mentoring, and capacity building for IRC staff and health workers. Under the guidance of the Health Coordinator, the IPC Manager will also contribute to coordination with health authorities and partners to ensure alignment with national IPC guidelines and epidemic response priorities.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Provide overall leadership, management and technical supervision of IPC activities implemented by IRC-supported mobile units and health facilities.
- Supervise and support PCI Mentors by ensuring quality implementation of PCI standards, protocols and best practices in all supported establishments.
- Identify capacity gaps and coordinate continuing education, coaching and professional development opportunities for PCI Mentors and facility staff.
- Conduct regular supervisory visits alongside PCI Mentors to monitor performance, ensure quality of implementation and strengthen PCI systems at the facility level.
- Oversee the planning, implementation and completion of PCI assessments, ensuring data quality, timely reporting and use of results for continuous improvement.
- Lead efforts to resolve issues related to the implementation of the PCI program, providing technical guidance and operational support to address challenges and improve service delivery.
- Monitor and evaluate the progress of supported facilities against PCI performance indicators and action plans, ensuring appropriate follow-up and corrective measures.
- Coordinate the forecasting, distribution and monitoring of PCI equipment, supplies and consumables to ensure their uninterrupted availability in supported facilities.
- Ensure the effective implementation of IPC training programs and mentoring initiatives for healthcare facility staff, promoting sustainable improvements in IPC practices.
- Manage team performance through regular supervision, coaching, performance reviews and professional development support, fostering a positive, responsible and high-performing work environment.
- Maintain effective coordination and communication with the Health Coordinator, facility management, government counterparts and other stakeholders to support program objectives.
- Prepare and submit timely program updates, progress reports and other documents required for effective program management and decision-making.
- Promote compliance with IRC policies, national guidelines and international PCI standards.
- Continuously monitor and assess the security of field operations, ensuring compliance with security protocols by staff and promptly reporting any incidents or concerns in coordination with IRC management.
- Ensure the implementation of due diligence measures for all supervised staff operating in high-risk environments, including isolation units and outbreak response settings.
- Support emergency preparedness and epidemic response activities as required by the Health Coordinator.
- Perform any other tasks assigned by the Health Coordinator to support the implementation and development of IRC health programs.
Work environment:
- The position requires regular travel to supported healthcare facilities and field sites.
- The position may require entry into high-risk clinical environments, including isolation units, in accordance with approved PCI and security protocols.
Required profile:
- Doctor or nurse.
- At least 5 years of experience, with prior experience in managing Ebola virus disease and in resource-limited environments.
- Proven experience in implementing PCI practices and improving systems, ideally in a low-resource environment.
- Prior experience working with the IRC is preferred.
- Proven experience in supervising a team in strict compliance with infection control.
- Prior experience in training or teaching.
- Strong skills in leadership, management, planning, analysis, interpersonal relations and communication.
- Ability to live in difficult conditions and to work under pressure in demanding situations.
- Must be a team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work under pressure in a stressful environment, demonstrating patience, compassion, and diplomacy.
- Fluency in French and a working knowledge of English is an asset.