General context:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian aid 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 vital assistance to help people survive and rebuild their lives, accompanying them from danger to safety. The IRC Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (EPRU) leads global emergency preparedness and response activities. EPRU’s mission is to help meet immediate survival needs and reduce the suffering of populations affected by conflict or disaster during the acute phase of an emergency.
Context:
The DRC Ministry of Health officially declared the 17th outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the country on May 15, 2026, following confirmation of cases caused by the viral species Bundibugyo (BDBV) in Ituri province, northeast of the DRC. The outbreak was initially detected in and around the Mongbwalu, Rwampara and Bunia health zones.
On May 17, 2026, the outbreak was assessed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to the risk of regional spread and difficult operating environment. The IRC is currently preparing to support the containment of the EVD epidemic in the Ituri and North Kivu regions of the DRC. The main objective of the IRC will be to provide support to existing primary health care (PHC) facilities to ensure secure continuity of services. IRC support will include the implementation of EVD screening and isolation in PHC structures, as well as support for strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in all establishments.
Scope of the position
Reporting to the PCI Physician/Team Leader, the Ebola/PCI Nurse(era) will work closely with Ministry of Health (MoH) staff to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) systems and practices in health establishments supported by the IRC. The role will be to support the implementation of PCI measures, to provide coaching and mentoring of health workers in the field, and to contribute to improving compliance with national PCI standards and protocols.
The Ebola/PCI nurse(era) may also be required(e) to support activities within Ebola isolation units established in supported establishments, ensuring the provision of safe and quality care in accordance with clinical and PCI guidelines approved.
Staff safety is a top priority. The incumbent must strictly adhere to all infection prevention and control procedures to minimize the risk of disease transmission. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times when operating in isolation units or other high-risk areas, in full compliance with established PCI protocols.
Roles and responsibilities
- This station may require access to the red zone/wet zone of the isolation unit.
- Provide direct patient care, ensuring the provision of appropriate nursing care to all patients in the isolation unit.
- Ensure that clinical management and infection prevention and control procedures are applied by clinical staff in accordance with strict protocol.
- Provide ICH training to healthcare facility staff, including ongoing on-the-job mentoring.
- Conduct rounds in health facility departments and departments, discussing and monitoring infection control practices with staff.
- Develop and implement ICH improvement systems in health facility services and departments.
- Establish an EVD surveillance system in inpatient departments.
- Maintain schedules and work schedules
- Ensure that all patient consultations are documented and patient records completed.
- Work with the medical logistician and healthcare facility management to develop a system for requesting and tracking the consumption of PCI supplies.
- Maintain open and professional relationships with team members, fostering strong team spirit and providing supervision and guidance to enable staff to succeed in their roles.
- Consistently and proactively monitor and evaluate the safety of field teams, promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with external parties as needed to maintain/improve the safe environment.
- Any other task assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.
Requirements
- Nurse(ere) or nurse(ere) practitioner(ne) with current registration with the recognized professional body in your country of residence.
- At least 2 years of experience as a nurse(era) primarily in ICH implementation or isolation wards and emergency situations, with demonstrated and repeated experience in isolation centers for viral hemorrhagic fevers or, secondarily, in field hospitals or cholera treatment centers.
- Demonstrated experience implementing PCI practices and improving systems, ideally in a low-resource setting.
- Prior experience working with the IRC is desired.
- Demonstrated experience supervising a team for strict compliance with infection control.
- Previous experience in training or teaching.
- Strong leadership, management, planning, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to live in difficult conditions and work in difficult situations and at high pressure.
- Must be a team player(s) with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work under pressure in a stressful environment, demonstrating patience, compassion and diplomacy.
- Fluency in French and working knowledge of English are an asset.
Employer guaranteeing equal opportunities : The IRC is an equal opportunity employer. The IRC evaluates all applicants on the basis of merit, without distinction of race, sex, skin color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, status of veteran, disability or any other characteristic protected by current legislation.
Professional standards: All employees of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) must adhere to the fundamental values and principles set out in the document “IRC Way – Standards of Professional Conduct”. Our standards are integrity, service, equality and accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC implements and enforces policies relating to the protection of individuals, conflicts of interest, financial integrity, reporting of irregularities and protection against retaliation. The IRC is committed to taking all necessary preventive measures and creating an environment where everyone feels safe, as well as taking all necessary and corrective measures in the event of harm. The IRC forms teams of professionals who promote critical thinking and sharing of responsibilitiesdebate and objectivity in order to offer the best possible services to our beneficiaries.
