Anthropologist
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I. Background and Justification
Purpose of the Position
Mozambique is experiencing one of the largest cholera epidemics in decades, which can also be considered an outbreak in an endemic situation. The outbreak started in Niassa province on September 14, 2022, and then spread to two other provinces. The situation worsened after heavy rains in February 2023 and the arrival of cyclone Freddy 1 on February 22, and cyclone Freddy 2 on March 11. Cases have been reported in all provinces of the country and as of 31 July 2023, a cumulative total of 33,534 cases and 141 deaths (CFR 0.4%) have been reported.
Since the outbreak was declared a national cholera task force has been activated and WCO Mozambique along with other partners, is supporting all pillars of the response, including risk communication and community engagement (RCCE).
Despite the scale of the cholera outbreak in Mozambique decreasing and the large effort being done the active districts, on community awareness of cholera prevention and control measures, there are still challenges in terms of hygiene behavioral practices which are crucial factors in the spread of cholera. Thus, there is a need to understand the perceptions, representations, attitudes, and behaviors of the population, reinforce community engagement, as well as strengthen the community’s trust in preventive measures, to enable to implementation of an efficient strategy for the next cholera season. Comprehensive knowledge of the modes of transmission, contamination, and prevention will also help to address more efficiently the messages.
The purpose of this position is to conduct rapid socio-anthropological studies following the operational priorities of the incident management team in the affected areas to understand perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and practices around cholera.
II. Job Description
Organizational context
WHO, in accordance with its essential functions, is the first technical partner of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Mozambique in the field of health. WHO provide support to the Government within the ongoing cholera response.
The Anthropologist will work under the technical supervision of the Health Promotion officer and the Operations health officer, the overall guidance of the Incident Manager and the ultimate supervision of the WHO Representative.
Summary of Assigned Duties
The selected candidate will conduct a rapid socio-anthropological study on cholera to underpin localized interventions adapted to particular social contexts. The selected candidate will also provide the necessary operational support to the operation in terms of key risk communication and communication engagement actions. Additionally, the selected expert will make operational recommendations to engage communities in increasing the ownership of the response against cholera.
- Conduct a rapid socio-anthropological study
- Review a literature review on existing socio-anthropological studies on cholera in the country and develop a study protocol
- Implement and coordinate the rapid socio-anthropological study
- Analyze the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and socio-cultural risk behaviors associated with cholera,
- Analyze the socio-cultural beliefs associated with the spread of cholera,
- Design a study report
- Provide support for risk communication and community engagement activities
- Provide operational support and recommendations for engaging communities in the fight against cholera
- Facilitate the RCCE Sub-Committee meetings with the MOH, developing agendas, minutes and action points and disseminating them with partners.
- Actively engage RCCE partners to organize regular meetings for the preparedness
- Contribute to other relevant activities as requested by the supervisor.
III. Required qualifications
*******Education
- Essential: A first level university degree in social anthropology, social sciences, behavioral sciences, or related fields from an accredited/recognized institute.
- Desirable:
- Formal qualification in public health.
§ Attended at least one of the three free courses provided by OPEN WHO (https://openwho.org)
§ Cólera: Introdução
§ SocialNet: Empowering communities before, during, and after an infectious disease outbreak
§ SocialNet: Social and behavioural insights COVID-19 data collection tool
Experience
- Essential: At least five years of proven experience in socio-anthropological research.
- Desirable:
- Experience in conducting field studies in several settings.
- Previous experience supporting disease outbreak preparedness and/or response
- Previous relevant working experience with WHO and/or UN or with an international nongovernmental organization.
Skills
- Proven experience and expertise in communication and behavior change (strengthen trust between, and amongst communities, understand how communities are responding (who and what they listen to), creating two-way dialogue, etc.)
- Ability to contextualize and provide guidance to different populations and support development and dissemination of relevant RCCE strategies.
- Excellent planning and coordination skills, with proven ability to work with various stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills complemented with the ability to work in a proactive and independent manner, multi-task and produce results under pressure.
- Excellent communication skills to negotiate /enlist cooperation from a broad range of actors from multi-disciplinary backgrounds.
- Excellent presentation skills
- Ability to “think out of the box” and to make innovative proposals as related to risk communication and community engagement.
WHO Competencies:
- Producing results
- Fostering integration and teamwork
- Communicating in a credible and effective way
- Moving forward in changing environment
- Knowing and managing yourself
Use of Language Skills
- Essential: Expert knowledge of Portuguese
- Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of English
Other Skills
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point,).
· Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft on data analysis
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
In the event your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and E-Manual.
The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce . Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
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This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
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Added 8 months ago
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Updated 7 months ago
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