Health Officer

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.

UNICEF has been working in Brazil since 1950 for the promotion of the rights of every Brazilian child. UNICEF focuses its work on the two most vulnerable areas of the country (the Legal Amazon and the Semi-arid regions) through the UNICEF Municipal Seal strategy and eight large urban centers, through the Agenda Cidade UNICEF, reaching over 2,000 Brazilian municipalities across 18 states.

The Health, Nutrition and HIV Programme focuses on 3 core priorities:

(i) Reverting post-pandemic drop in immunization coverage through the Active Vaccine Search (BAV). BAV provides a methodology of intersectoral work and an innovative and free technological platform to support local governments in the identification, registration, vaccination and monitoring of children who are not immunized or at risk of not receiving vaccines. There is under implementation in 2,023 UNICEF Seal municipalities. The International Volunteer will support the Programme in the roll-out of BAV in 2,000 municipalities. (ii) Strengthening maternal, newborn and child services in primary health care facilities through the Early Childhood Friendly Units (UAPI) initiative for Community Health Care Facilities. UAPI, implemented in primary health care facilities in six Brazilian capitals, aims to provide technical assistance and certification of units that promote services of excellence in maternal, new-born and child health services based on pre-stablished goals. The International Volunteer will support the adaptation and implementation of UAPI’s methodology to new contexts. (iii) Improved nutrition practices and behaviours to address child malnutrition, including food insecurity and obesity. UNICEF is focusing its work on building capacity of states and municipalities to create local laws/normative for the regulation of food industries in schools, and on the establishment and strengthening of public policies that promote food security in order to fulfil the human right to adequate food.

The International Volunteer will support the monitoring of programmatic activities and partners and will support articulations with the Ministry of Health and partners on strategies to address the current nutrition context.

The UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks for an efficient, effective and timely programmatic quality implementation, under the direct supervision of the Health Officer: a) Support situation analysis and the identification of national, regional and municipal trends to inform programmatic strategies; b) Support quality roll-out, implementation and monitoring of the BAV strategy to increase immunization coverage via the UNICEF Seal municipalities, supporting implementation of partnership agreements as well as internal coordination with communication and monitoring and evaluation teams. c) Support the evaluation of health indicators and pre-established goals from primary care units’ participants of the UAPI initiative, as well as the design of the UAPI for other contexts; d) Support evidence generation in the area of child and adolescent health and nutrition as a tool for advocacy; and e) Support the development and implementation of strategies to promote healthy feeding in schools.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:  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;  Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;  Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/ websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; and  Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.

Accountability; Adaptability and Flexibility; Commitment and Motivation; Commitment to Continuous Learning; Communication; Ethics and Values; Integrity; Planning and Organizing; Respect for Diversity; Working in Teams

Maternal and Child health (ideally Immunization, childcare and food security and food nutrition)

The assignment will be in Brasília, the Federal capital of Brazil and seat of government of the Federal District. Brasilia is a family duty station and classified A (hardship). The living conditions in Brasilia are good as well as the access to health services. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is wide. Rent for small one-bedroom apartments range from 200 USD (unfurnished) to 600 USD (furnished) per month. UN Volunteers are also encouraged to share accommodation.

Brazil is security level 3 (moderate). UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance.

Brasilia is located in the country's centre-western region. It was founded on April 21, 1960, to serve as the new national capital. Brasília and its metro area were estimated to be Brazil's 3rd most populous city, with 3.039.444 people. Among major Latin American cities, Brasília has the highest GDP per capita.

Although Brasília is used as a synonym for the Federal District through synecdoche, the Federal District is composed of 31 administrative regions, only one of which is the area of the originally planned city, also called Plano Piloto. The rest of the Federal District is considered by IBGE to make up Brasília's metro area. All three branches of Brazil's federal government are centred in the city: executive, legislative, and judicial. Brasília also hosts 124 foreign embassies. The city's design is divided into numbered blocks as well as sectors for specified activities, such as the Hotel Sector, the Banking Sector and the Embassy Sector.

The city's international airport connects it to all other major Brazilian cities and many international destinations and is the third busiest airport in Brazil. Brasília is the most populous Portuguese-speaking capital city. The city is located at the top of the Brazilian highlands in the country's centre-western region, at 1,172 m. The Paranoá Lake is a large artificial lake that was built to increase the amount of water available and to maintain the region's humidity.

Brasília has a tropical savanna climate (Aw, according to the Köppen climate classification), with two distinct seasons: a rainy season from October to April and a dry season from May to September. The average temperature is 22ºC, rising to over 30ºC during the hottest period. The hottest month in Brasilia is September and the coolest month is July.

The currency used in Brazil is called Real (BRL). In November 2022, the average exchange rate is 1 USD = 5.30 BRL. Many hotels, restaurants and businesses in Brazil accept the main international credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). It is also possible to withdraw cash from automatic telling machines found in all the major cities.

To enter Brazil, a valid passport is required. Nationals of other countries may be required an entry visa or long stay visa. They should contact the closest Brazilian representation. Note: For all international travel to Brazil, security clearance must be requested a minimum of 7 days prior to travel.

The UNV Field Unit can assist in booking temporary accommodation for the first nights at UN Volunteer expenses, which can be extended or not at UN Volunteer discretion until getting a permanent accommodation.