Health Expert

Contract

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

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. Following UNICEF’s vision for health: “a world where no child dies from preventable causes and all children reach their full potential in health and well-being”, the Libya Country Office has been contributing to the global and national targets for improving health and well-being.

Since 2011, Libya is struggling with a protracted emergency that negatively impacted the availability and accessibility of basic services, including health and nutrition services, especially for Internally displaced people and migrants. Although ministry of health has the resources to ensure the availability of health services, those resources were mismanaged and directed towards secondary and tertiary health services. Accordingly, UNICEF health and nutrition section, in coordination with Primary Health Care Institute (PHCI- MOH), has designed and implemented a package of services to minimize the gap of PHC and nutrition services’ availability and accessibility in a sustainable manner.

On Sunday, 10 September 2023, the Mediterranean Storm Daniel made landfall in Libya causing severe weather conditions, including fierce winds and sudden heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding affecting several northeastern areas of Libya (Benghazi, Tobruk, Toukra, Talmeitha, Almarj, Taknes (Al Jabal Al Akhdar), Al Owailia, Albayda, Shahhat, Sousa and Derna).

The storm has caused significant infrastructure damage, including serious road network damage due to landfalls, telecommunications network and electricity grid were disrupted, harsh conditions caused the displacement of an estimated 6,000 families (around 35,000 individuals) number is expected to increase. IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) includes individuals who were previously displaced by conflict. Many IDPs and migrants are now sheltering in schools and other public facilities in cities around Derna.

UNICEF is working closely with line ministries and partners to respond to the flood impact by a comprehensive package of interventions for the short- and long-term recovery of basic services and well-being of children. UNICEF’s activities concentrate on the most vulnerable and marginalized towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – ensuring that progress touches those who currently are missing out or overlooked.

Under the guidance and supervision of the chief field office in Benghazi, the UNV will perform the following tasks:

• To provide expert guidance and follow up on the current health emergency response, ensuring that the organization remains equipped to handle health-related crises efficiently in flood-affected areas in Benghazi

• Develop, update, and implement emergency response of health section based on agreed steps, and Core Commitment for Children manual. • Conduct periodic risk assessments to identify risks and potential health-related risks • Organize and lead training sessions for staff and stakeholders on emergency preparedness/response as and when appropriate. • Lead and coordinate the response to health emergencies, ensuring timely and efficient action. • Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, both internal and external, for effective emergency response. • Monitor the evolving situation and adjust strategies as necessary. • Support affected communities and systems in returning to normalcy. • Establish and maintain strong relationships with local, national, and international health organizations, government bodies, and other relevant stakeholders. • Represent the organization at meetings, conferences, and forums related to health emergencies. • Develop and submit periodic reports on health emergency preparedness and response activities. • Document best practices, challenges faced, and lessons learned for future reference. • Ensure the efficient allocation and utilization of resources during emergencies. • Collaborate with the finance and logistics teams to ensure timely procurement and deployment of essential supplies and equipment.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs

• As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o The support provided by the UNV health officer will enable the Country Office to achieve the health-related output results of the country programme. This, in turn, will contribute to the achievement of the outcome results of the Country Programme Document. When done effectively, the achievement of the outcome results will improve child survival, growth and development and reduce inequalities in the country. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF 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 UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours 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 behaviour; 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 UNICEF mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

in national and/or international level in public health and emergency preparedness and response experience is an asset.

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.

• Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain.

Libya is classified as an “E “Duty Station. This means that the security context in the country is fragile. The Security Focal point for our Office is the Security Advisor. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) will cater to our safety. Benghazi is the second-largest city in Libya, located on the country's northeastern coast. It has a rich historical and cultural heritage, known for its ancient Greek and Roman ruins. However, in recent years, Benghazi has faced significant challenges due to the aftermath of the 2011 Libyan civil war, including political instability, security concerns, and sporadic clashes between rival factions. The situation in Benghazi can evolve rapidly, and it is advisable to consult up-to-date sources for the latest information. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment based in Benghazi, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.