Assistant Public Health Officer
Job Details
Full Job Description
Hardship Level
Family Type
Family Type
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date
Job Posting End Date
Standard Job Description
Assistant Public Health
Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The
Assistant Public Health Officer is a member of a multidisciplinary
team and will ensure that UNHCR's public health programmes meet
minimum UNHCR and global health standards in order to minimise
avoidable morbidity and mortality among populations of concern (POC)
and towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs).
The incumbent provides strong and timely technical
guidance to UNHCR management and partners including on the design and
scope of UNHCR's responses in health and nutrition, catalyses the
engagement of other actors, supports resource mobilisation efforts and
monitors the response. S/he has close contacts with internal and
external stakeholders such as government counterparts, UN Agencies and
NGOs.
The Assistant Public Health Officer should also ensure
consultation with communities seeking the diverse views of men, women,
girls and boys, adolescents, youth, older persons, LGBTI persons,
persons with disabilities , including people with psychosocial and
intellectual disabilities, in assessing needs, designing, implementing
and monitoring responses in line with UNHCR's policy on age, gender
and diversity mainstreaming.
Public Health programmes include
primary health care, secondary health care, community health,
reproductive health (including HIV), nutrition, MHPSS and health
information systems. In addition to public health staff, major
operations may also have dedicated staff focusing on any of these
components but public health professionals are expected to be very
conversant with reproductive health programming and ensure that
minimum standards are met. Depending on the size of the operation the
incumbent may have responsibilities for nutrition and MHPSS responses.
In the absence of more senior public health staff, Assistant Public
Health Officer may be required to work with the programme staff (or
other designated staff member) to support operational collaboration
and joint programming with WFP on nutrition and food security.
The
Assistant Public Health Officer is normally supervised by a (Senior)
Public Health Officer or by the Head of Office/ Senior Operations/
Assistant Representative (Operations). The incumbent has a functional
line with the Public Health Section in Geneva regarding authoritative
guidance and support in technical matters and is expected to maintain
regular contact with the PHS and the Regional Bureau.
All
UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as
reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated
authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which
includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR
Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant
accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to
discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core,
functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's
core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
Coordination and Partnership
- Assist in
the co-ordination of public health, reproductive health, nutrition and
HIV activities within the Area of Responsibility (AOR) in support of
the government's responses and in conjunction with other UN agencies,
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other partners, including
development actors to ensure delivery of public health and nutrition
services to beneficiaries (POC and host community) meet UNHCR and /or
nationally recognised and most up-to-date standards and
policies.
- With support from the supervisor, support the
Operation to define the level and scope of UNHCR's involvement in
public health and nutrition responses in terms of overall and
operational objectives during emergency situations and beyond.
-
In line with the Global Compact on Refugees work with governments and
humanitarian and development partners to ensure a complementary
approach to meet the health needs of POCs.
- Represent UNHCR in
health coordination and other meetings including inter-sectoral groups
such as Technical Working Groups for MHPSS and nutrition.
- Engage
in relevant partnership fora, including in line with UNHCR's role as a
UNAIDS co-sponsor of the Joint Programme on AIDS and co-lead with WFP
of the Division of Labour area of HIV in Humanitarian Settings.
-
Support operational collaboration with WFP including the
implementation of Joint Assessment Missions and corresponding Joint
Plans of Action in line with global commitments on targeting of
assistance to meet basic needs and data sharing to support assistance
distribution (in collaboration with programme and protection
colleagues),
- Support emergency responses to new refugee influxes
or outbreaks or other situations in line with the Public Health
Emergency Toolkit and UNHCR's Emergency Handbook and the SPHERE
Handbook.
Strategic planning and development
- Contribute
to the implementation of UNHCR's Strategic Plan for Public Health and
adaptation at country level.
- Work with others in UNHCR to
advocate for refugees, returnees and other POC's access to local
public health, reproductive health (RH) and HIV, MHPSS and nutrition
services (including food assistance where relevant) and lobby for
inclusion of refugees, returnees and other POC as a specific group in
government policies and plans related to health, RH and HIV as well as
major donor programmes such as the Global Fund for HIV, TB and
Malaria.
- Contribute to public health strategies addressing known
gaps in health and nutrition programming based on country-specific
needs assessments with due consideration to neonatal and maternal
health care, TB and viral hepatitis, palliative care, health services
for LGBTI individuals, health and protection services for persons
selling sex and programming for persons with disabilities including
access to assistive technologies and appropriate associated
services.
- Support the monitoring of country specific medium to
long term inclusion plans in support of the Ministry of Health and
other relevant Ministries (e.g. Social Welfare) and in partnership
with development and other actors.
- Work with stakeholders,
including UN agencies, NGOs, Ministries of Health and academic
institutions in the development of public health response plans
associated with refugee movements (including in repatriation
programmes).
- Maintain and update contingency plans within the
AOR for potential epidemics, refugee and returnee
movements.
Technical integrity and risk mitigation
-
Update and disseminate standard practices on public health, MHPSS,
nutrition, HIV and reproductive health among partners.
- Support
the prioritization of primary health care (including preventive,
promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care)
-
Monitor, in close co-ordination with other humanitarian actors, that
health care services provided to POC are based on Ministry of Health,
UNHCR and/or internationally recognized and most up-to-date standards
and policies.
- Support the adaptation of UNHCR internal operating
procedures to ensure they are in line with UNHCR and/or international
standards and improve efficiency of programme activities; this
includes - but is not limited to - referral health care, medicines and
medical supplies procurement and management, medical resettlement and
resettlement of persons with health needs, cash-based assistance for
health care coverage and referral between units and inter-sectoral
collaboration.
- Monitor and support compliance with, and
integrity of, all public health standard operating procedures in
conjunction with Project Control and Programme staff and in line with
delegated authorities, including flagging to senior managers when
these are not in line with global guidance or not being
followed.
Collaboration
- Support linkages of public
health to WASH programmes throughout all stages of the programme cycle
including in outbreak preparedness and response, emergency responses
to refugee influxes, WASH in health facilities, and menstrual hygiene
management.
- Support inter-sector collaboration throughout all
stages of programme cycle between public health and nutrition with
WASH, education, environment, shelter, and protection in order to
promote synergies and maximise impact.
- Assist with the review
and analysis of relevant project proposals and budgetary submissions
presented by UNHCR partners within the context of the UNHCR
programming cycle.
- Seek the diverse views of men, women, girls
and boys, adolescents, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities
and LGBTI in assessing needs, designing, implementing and monitoring
responses in line with UNHCR's policy on age, gender and diversity
mainstreaming.
- Contribute to the implementation of the UNHCR
Health Information System and other relevant data collection tools
including the balanced scorecard, maternal and neonatal death audits,
Health Access and Utilisation Survey and other corporate tools where
relevant; support the analysis, interpretation and use of public
health data.
- Advocate for the inclusion of refugees and other
POC in national surveys such as demographic and health surveys,
multi-indicator cluster surveys, AIDS indicator surveys including
where possible a separate sample for refugees allowing for comparisons
and trend analysis over time.
- Support national health systems to
disaggregate data by refugee and nationals in key areas based on
country specific needs in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development.
- Assist in the monitoring of public health and
nutrition programmes against standard UNHCR and international
indicators, to ensure that programmes are evidence-based and
implemented in a comprehensive and cost-effective manner.
-
Support the planning, implementation, analysis, dissemination and use
of nutritional surveys (Standardized Expanded Nutrition Surveys,
SENS), health-related surveys and post-distribution monitoring
exercises (in collaboration with WFP).
- In line with policies for
Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) ensure POC have access to
feedback and accountability mechanisms relating to public health and
nutrition services including the collection and analysis of data on
their satisfaction with regards to public health and nutrition
services.
- Draft regular sectoral reports and submit material for
preparation of periodic project monitoring reports as required by the
office at country level.
- Provide timely updates to enable
adequate reporting and briefings to donors and
management.
Capacity Building
- Support capacity
strengthening of UNHCR and its implementing partners to address public
health, nutrition, reproductive health, HIV, MHPSS programming in a
co-ordinated, multi-sectoral way and disseminate relevant guidelines
and information materials.
- Undertake and/or support capacity
building needs assessments of UNHCR staff and partners and develop
approaches to address capacity gaps including identifying internal and
external training opportunities.
- Support the identification
and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting
objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in
risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and
concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
-
Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum
Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For
P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no
experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate
degree
Field(s) of Education
Medicine, Medical Science,
Medical Doctor, Nursing, Public Health
or other relevant
field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not
specified.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are
essential)
Relevant Job
Experience
Essential
Knowledge of public health, reproductive
health and nutrition. Good communicator with strong interpersonal and
negotiations skills.
Desirable
Additional qualifications
in Nutrition and WASH and a thorough understanding of the linkages
with public health and Food security. Ability to coordinate a range of
diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the
area of Public Health.
Functional Skills
MS-Monitoring &
Evaluation
MD-Public Health Epidemiology
MD-Reproductive
Health
MD-Community Health - Health Data
Collection/Analysis/Interpretation
UN-UNHCR's Mandate/Policy and
Global Strategic Priorities
(Functional Skills marked with an
asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For
International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of
English and UN working language of the duty station if not
English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and
UN working language of the duty station if not English and local
language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN
working language of the duty station if not English.
All
UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute
towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and
empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no
tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including
sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse
of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be
proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct,
support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking
guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues
arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs
with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may
contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating
to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are
incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be
considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of
candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
a. Positive – The candidate has a positive work attitude and is optimistic by nature.
b. Ambition and reliability – The candidate is ambitious and leads by example.
c. Trustworthy – The candidate is a team player who is trusted by his/her colleagues.
d. Professionalism - the candidate is a committed and hard- working professional who respects his/her colleagues and upholds the values of the organization.
2. Problem Solving
a. Problem Solver – The candidate masters the ability to identify and solve problems by applying creativity and interpersonal skills. He/she transforms challenges into opportunities to find solutions and resolve problems.
b. Proactive – actively looks for opportunities and team growth in the interest of the operation.
3. Time Management
a. The candidate successfully manages quality time dedicated to activities with the purpose to strengthen the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of the operation
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
T he Sub Office Adjumani covers four districts in West Nile Region: Adjumani , Lamwo, Obongi and Kiryandongo districts around 494,000 refugees originating from South Sudan. The refugees are residing in 19 settlements in Adjumani District and 1 settlement in Lamwo , Obongi and Kiryandongo District. The average daily new arrival rate has increased and stands at over 600 persons per week. From 2018 onwards, the operation is ending emergency response and the objective is to strengthen the partnership with development partners in the spirit of the GRC hereby focusing on burden sharing and complementary roles by enhancing peaceful coexistence and offering long term solutions for both refugees and host communities.
About 52% of the refugee population are female and 62% are children and 17% are persons with specific needs. UNHCR works in close collaboration with different health partners providing health services to PoCs and an integration plan was developed with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to progressively handover the health program to MoH.
The incumbent plays a key role in planning, organising, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of UNHCR's public health programmes for all persons of concern in the operational areas . This will include undertaking regular field trips to monitor and support the implementation of health activities for refugees; monitoring refugee access to health services and the impact on the national systems in different refugee settlements, ensuring feedback relating to key public health data is provided by health partners, relevant UN agencies, Ministry of Health at local level; develop project activities to address identified needs. This will be done in consultation with District Health authorities, NGO partners in the health sector and through liaison with other sectors within UNHCR (WASH, protection, community services, programme, etc.) to ensure a multi-sectoral approach.
The incumbent is the main liaison with the Ministry of Health in Adjumani , Obongi, Kiryandongo and Lamwo Districts which involves among others attending district health team meetings and refugee health coordination meetings with District Health Offices on a regular basis to ensure health services are integrated. The incumbent also has a key role in liaising with international and national health partners, donors, and other UN agencies as key member of the UNHCR
Health Unit. The functions of this position cannot be performed by teleworking/telecommuting.
Living and Working Conditions:
The Sub-Office is located at Pakelle Town, 8 km from Adjumani Town (district center).
Adjumani has limited basic amenities notably accommodation, hospital, schools, and road network. There are no international schools or shopping malls, and the nearest major town (Gulu) is 108 km away from the duty station. Adjumani is generally hot and the temperatures range between 29-45 degrees centigrade. The host communities are hospitable and supportive of refugees, Partners, and UN Agencies.
Road transport is the main mode used to reach the capital Kampala which is almost 500 km away by a fully paved road.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
EL-Monitoring and Evaluation, MD-Reproductive Health, PH-Community Health-Health Data Collection/Analysis/Interpretation, PH- Public Health Epidemiology, UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaborationUNHCR Salary Calculator
Additional Information
The incumbent should have served in the similar role in UNHCR, with clear understanding of internal UNHCR Health programme management.
Functional clearance