Job Description

E T Consultant

Job #:
req37972
Organization:
World Bank Group
Sector:
Health/Nutrition/Population
Grade:
EC3
Term Duration: 1 year 0 months
Recruitment Type:
Local Recruitment
Location:
Kinshasa,Congo Democratic Republic
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French
Closing Date:
8/28/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. Visit www.worldbank.org.

HEALTH, NUTRITION AND POPULATION GLOBAL PRACTICE CONTEXT

The Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP) Global Practice contributes to the World Bank Group’s mission by supporting countries to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC), improve health outcomes, and ensure that all people can access essential, quality health services without experiencing financial hardship. The HNP Global Practice brings together staff based in Washington, DC and country offices across regions, and works across sectors in recognition that health outcomes are shaped by factors beyond the health sector. It supports country and regional efforts to improve health outcomes for poor and vulnerable populations; expand access to high-quality, cost-effective HNP services, interventions, and technologies; strengthen health systems for results; improve health financing arrangements that promote efficiency, equity, and sustainability; strengthen health-relevant institutions; harness multisectoral policies and investments for better health outcomes; and generate evidence through rigorous analytics and impact evaluations.

AFRICA REGION CONTEXT

Africa has achieved important development gains in recent decades; however, the region continues to face significant challenges in building the foundations for inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth. The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic shocks, conflict, climate-related pressures, and rapid population growth have placed additional strain on health systems and public finances. Many countries continue to experience high levels of maternal and child mortality, persistent malnutrition, recurrent disease outbreaks, and a rising burden of noncommunicable diseases. These challenges underscore the importance of renewed commitment and accelerated progress toward Universal Health Coverage.

Most African countries have incorporated UHC as a core objective in their national health strategies. Yet progress in translating these commitments into increased domestic financing, effective development assistance, equitable access to quality services, and stronger financial protection has been uneven. Accelerating progress toward UHC will require sustained political leadership, clear strategic direction, stronger institutions, and more resilient health systems capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to public health emergencies while maintaining essential health services.

HAEH2 Unit

The HNP team in Africa is organized into units covering Country Management Units (CMUs) across the region. HAEH2 covers the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, and South Africa CMUs, comprising 13 countries, and manages a large portfolio of operational, analytical, and advisory work. The unit is seeking a seasoned Senior Health Specialist, based in Kinshasa, DRC, to lead and support operations, policy dialogue, analytical work, and emergency preparedness and response activities.

AFCC2 CMU / DRC COUNTRY CONTEXT

The DRC ranks among the lowest-performing countries on the World Bank Human Capital Index, reflecting the cumulative effects of conflict, fragility, limited access to quality services, and long-standing development constraints. The country faces major health and nutrition challenges, including high maternal and child mortality, persistent malnutrition, recurrent communicable disease outbreaks, and significant disparities in access to essential health services.

The DRC continues to experience recurrent outbreaks of epidemic- and pandemic-prone diseases, including Ebola virus disease, cholera, measles, mpox, yellow fever, typhoid fever, plague, and meningitis. These outbreaks are exacerbated by a fragmented health system, insecurity, population mobility, limited access in conflict-affected areas, and capacity gaps in surveillance, laboratory networks, risk communication, emergency coordination, and service delivery. The 2023 Joint External Evaluation conducted by the World Health Organization identified important weaknesses in public health emergency management, specimen transport, laboratory systems, and early outbreak detection.

The country is currently responding to its 17th Ebola outbreak. The 2026 Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization and a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak is among the most consequential epidemic emergencies in Africa, given its epidemiological and operational complexity, including transmission dynamics in mobile mining communities, commercial corridors, and conflict-affected areas, which increase the risk of regional spread. The outbreak has expanded across multiple health zones in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, and Tshopo provinces.

With more than 2,000 confirmed cases and 900 deaths reported as of July 18, the outbreak represents the third-largest Ebola outbreak globally and the largest recorded outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain. While the DRC has significant experience in Ebola preparedness and response, the specific epidemiological characteristics of the Bundibugyo strain, combined with persistent security, institutional, and health system constraints, require a rapid, adaptive, and well-coordinated response.

The World Bank is providing financial resources and technical assistance to support the Government of the DRC in responding to the ongoing Ebola outbreak while strengthening longer-term health system resilience. In particular, the DRC Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Project (HEPRR) is supporting the financing and implementation of priority activities under the Government’s national response plan.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Health Specialist will be mapped to HAEH2 and will report to the Practice Manager. The selected candidate will serve as a key member of the AFCC2 HNP and country team, supporting the design, implementation, and supervision of Ebola preparedness and response activities under World Bank-financed health operations in the DRC. The role will also involve broader responsibilities across the DRC country program and as needed, support to other countries within the CMU. Specifically, the Senior Health Specialist will:

• Provide high-level technical advice and hands on implementation support to government counterparts on disease surveillance, case detection, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, laboratory systems, risk communication, and emergency response coordination.
• Provide targeted support to national and sub-national government agencies to ensure quality execution of priority interventions of the Ebola response plan.
• Work closely with the Ministry of Health, the Project Implementation Unit, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, and development partners advanced the implementation of the national response plan, with priority on Bank financed activities
• Undertake field level monitoring, including review performance indicators, identify operational bottlenecks, and support corrective actions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the response.
• Contribute to procurement and operational planning for essential supplies, equipment, and frontline response needs.
• Assess and help manage implementation risks, including those related to insecurity, access constraints, limited institutional capacity, and service delivery challenges in outbreak-affected settings.
• Contribute to strengthening longer-term health system resilience, including preparedness, surveillance capacity, emergency coordination systems, and continuity of essential health services.
• Lead, co-lead, or contribute to operational programs, analytical and advisory services, policy analysis, and customized solutions to complex health sector challenges in the DRC and other countries, as required.
• Contribute to the effective implementation and monitoring of World Bank-financed health projects in the DRC, including the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience (HEPRR) Project and the Multisectoral Nutrition and Health Project (MNHP), ensuring timely delivery of project activities and achievement of project objectives.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the Country Management Unit, technical specialists within and outside the HNP Global Practice, and other sector teams to promote multisectoral collaboration and improve project performance.
• Support the Bank’s regional response to the Ebola outbreak and other health emergencies, including after action reviews.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree at the master’s level or higher in public health, medicine, epidemiology, health systems, international development, or a related field.
• At least eight years of relevant professional experience in health, public health, or a related field.
• Demonstrated professional experience in health sector operations, public health emergency response, and/or outbreak preparedness and response.
• Experience supporting Ebola or other high-consequence infectious disease outbreak responses in Fragility, Conflict and Violence affected settings, or emergency contexts in the health sector would be an advantage.
• Strong technical knowledge of disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, infection prevention and control, laboratory systems, and health systems strengthening.
• Proven experience in project implementation, operational supervision, and collaboration with government institutions and development partners.
• Experience with World Bank-financed operations, donor-funded health programs, or international health emergency mechanisms would be an advantage.
• Strong analytical, coordination, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate effectively in complex, fast-moving, and politically sensitive environments.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to engage credibly with senior officials, technical experts, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong diplomatic, client-engagement, and partnership-building skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Proven track record of contributing to or leading policy dialogue, policy reforms, service delivery innovations, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams within a matrix environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the International Health Regulations (IHR) is desirable and will be considered an advantage.
• Fluency in French and English, with demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality documents on complex subjects, communicate persuasively, and present ideas clearly and concisely in both languages.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.