Associate Public Health Officer

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UNHCR - UN High Commissioner for Refugees

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Monday 8 Aug 2022 at 00:00 UTC

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Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.

  1. Programme planning, monitoring and evaluation together with UNHCR partners to effectively address issues of public health importance, based on the principles of public health and Primary Health care in the refugee camps and transit centers as well as in the areas of re-turn for returnees.

Activities include supporting partners and the refugee community to: Ensure the public health services provided by partner to refugees and returnees are complying with the required national and international standards.

Guide and support partners to use the UNHCR Health Information System and collect UNHCR statistics verifying Core Standards and Indicators; review monthly health data; and compile technical periodic reports as well as the Annual report on the health situation.

Ensure implementation of appropriate country protocols and guidance and adherence to UNHCR specific guidance for public health programming.

Support partners in the implementation of the Public health programmes, including re-productive health, HIV and mental health.

Provide guidance and follow up to partners in the implementation of UNHCR action plans including for malaria and HIV/AIDS.

Provide technical contributions during planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation process in the UNHCR program cycle.

Ensure timely coordination and implementation of UNHCR led programmes.

  1. Coordination of services between UNHCR partners, National and international NGOs, other UN agencies, and Ministry of Health, and other sectors; ensuring early engagement of development agencies as appropriate.

Capacity building of partners and refugee health officials as appropriate in identified are-as of weakness; facilitation of partners’ access to training activities conducted by other agencies, with a particular focus on health information and disease surveillance; malaria management; safe motherhood; integrated management of childhood Illness.

Participate in advocacy, information sharing and communication on the health situation of populations of concern, within UNHCR and among partners, donors, other agencies, and the Government.

Acts as focal point for UNHCR for any health and medical matters in relation with the UNHCR strategy.

Participate actively in appropriate groups on the Health, population, HIV/AIDS, and other cross cutting working groups and or forums related to health and medical issues, with the aim to anchor refugees and returnees health concerns and needs into the ONE UN health program.

Coordinate and lead monthly health coordination meetings with implementing partners, in close coordination with the programme section.

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority;

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

in public health; previous working experience, preferably in refugee settings and/or international experience, is an asset; experience with AIDS/HIV programmes is an added advantage; experience working with multi-sectorial teams especially UN agencies and Ministry of Health is a plus;

Computer skills: Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing

Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, is a Category B duty station. Malawi is generally a peaceful country. It had a rerun of its presidential elections in June 2020, where the opposition became the ruling party. A new government has been in place since June. Access to services is relatively good but with limitations on health care facilities. Household items are generally cheap but with the COVID-19 restrictions and importations there has been a hike in price of commodities. Reponses to the current pandemic (corona) was previously highly politicized with number of infected positive cases on the increase. The main infectious diseases are Malaria, HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and occasional cases of cholera. There are houses available for rent with reasonable price depending on whether it is government or personal owned. The UN has designated recommended areas for living for international staff. The security situation in and around Lilongwe is said to be generally good but with few occasional criminalities such as house burglary, vandalizing of vehicles, pick-pockets, etc. Several banks exist that provides commercial services. There are two main mobile network provides which provide good service. Internet in equally available. As this is a family duty station there are schools where children can attend. The Representation office is based in Lilongwe with a one Field Unit in Karonga. The office is relatively small with 44 staff members. The operation only has one refugee camp located approximately 45 kilometers from Lilongwe. Malawi is a CRRF country and implementing MYMPSS.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org