Community Health Engagement Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

The Community health engagement officer will be based at the WHO office for Norther Micronesia housed in the Department of Health and Social Affairs (DHSA), Palikir, Pohnpei, FSM. The office supports the government of FSM primarily, and also supports the governments of Marshall Islands and Palau remotely. Under the overall guidance and supervision of WHO Country Liaison Officer and in close coordination with other team members in the office, the Community health engagement officer supports the WHO office in providing technical assistance to the Government of FSM (both at the national and state levels) in strategic arears as described as above. In Particular, the Community health engagement officer is expected to play an active role in all the community engagement components of various health programs WHO is supporting, to help ensuring all the benefits of the programs will reach the targeted population in the communities. S/he will also contribute to ensure that WHO supported programs reflect the needs of the most vulnerable population and their feedback will be effectively reflected in the programme directions.

Under the direct supervision of WHO Country Liaison Officer Dr Momoe Takeuchi, and in close coordination with the government of FSM and other partner organizations, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1) Contribute to health system strengthening focusing on primary health care (PHC) and dispensaries in communities a. Assists WHO CLO on ongoing PHC strengthening projects such as integrated community outreach in Chuuk State or Tele-medicine pilot at a dispensary in Pohnpei State

2) Contribute to COVID-19 community preparedness activities a. Participate in the community awareness activities in relation to COVID-19 vac-cination, testing & treating centers, and home care b. Contribute to the government COVID-19 safe school initiatives

3) Contribute to health promotion and NCD risk factors prevention through life-course ap-proach a. Assists WHO CLO on ongoing school health initiatives in Chuuk and other states b. Assists WHO CLO on initiation of healthy ageing initiatives

4) Contribute to communicable diseases and vaccine preventable disease control and pre-vention a. Participate in the community outreach activities for routine immunization, vaccine pre-ventable diseases surveillance or other communicable diseases screening

☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Integrity ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Working in Teams

the health sector and community work • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. stud-ies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), often referred to as Micronesia, is an island country in Oceania. It consists of four states – from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. Each of the four states is centered on one or more main high islands, and all but Kosrae include numerous outlying atolls. As a federal republic, each state not only has its own distinct history, culture, geography and language, it is also governed through a State Government linked to the Federal Government. The total population of FSM is around 110,000, with 35,000 living on Pohnpei.

FSM enjoys year-round daily tropical temperatures of between 25-29 degrees with generally high humidity, and monsoon type rainfall on a near daily basis. There is a moderate risk of tropical storms and severe weather events. Pohnpei, and FSM more generally, is a natural paradise covered in rainforest and surrounded by lagoons and the Pacific Ocean.

FSM is a hardship duty station level C, thus it is important to be flexible and open-minded as the conditions are relatively basic. The country has remained COVID-19 free throughout the pandemic and is only just opening up with flights and travel returning to normal by August 2022. There are several health care centres and a main hospital, where basic health care is provided.

There is a functioning international postal service and there are two main supermarkets on island, and two electronics stores. There is a small number of diners and several hotels and resorts available for on island tourism. All other types of of goods need to be purchased via mail order. Amazon delivers to FSM. Accommodation ranges from one-bedroom apartments to small houses, both furnished and unfurnished. These are modest but all amenities are provided, but flexibility is required. Public transport in the form of taxis is cheap and reliable, depending on how directly you need to get to your destination as most taxis are group taxis.

Most recreational activities are centred on outdoor activities and sports. Diving, snorkelling, fishing and sailing, as well as hiking are amongst the most popular leisure pursuits. In Kolonia there are several tennis courts and a public swimming pool. With some excellent tennis instructors being available, tennis is a also a very popular leisure activity amongst all. There are also two gyms and several running tracks/ location, and fitness classes are available.