Medical and Public Health Specialist

Volunteering Medical & Health Security

Overview

Support public health systems and improve healthcare delivery in FSM.

You have:

• At least three (3) years of clinical practice experience with a successful track record in epidemiology, public health surveillance, outbreak control, information management, and quantitative methods
• Medical physician with combined clinical and public health experience
• Knowledgeable and capable of responding effectively to public health emergencies
• Experience in designing and implementing large databases, managing complex information flows, and conducting quantitative research and interpretation
• Experience in responding to complex humanitarian crises
• Experience in teaching, training, or academic instruction within medical, nursing, or public health institutions
• Demonstrated expertise in clinical practice, field epidemiology, quantitative methods, and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging diseases in multidisciplinary environments
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to multitask and produce accurate results under pressure
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information in a clear and concise manner
• Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in professional interactions

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The development challenge addressed by this project is therefore to bring essential primary healthcare within reach of every FSM citizen, no matter how remote their location. It seeks to overcome the specific, interlocking obstacles that have so far prevented Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the outer islands.

Despite these challenges, FSM’s commitment to improving health access has never been stronger. In April 2024, a National Health Summit convened leaders from national and state governments, communities, and development partners to chart the future of health development. As a result, the summit adopted “Universal Health Coverage for All” as the unified vision for FSM’s 2024–2034 health framework, under the banner “Better Health for All”. This highest-level endorsement by FSM’s leadership underscores that expanding primary healthcare to underserved populations is a top national priority. The Vice President of FSM, in his keynote at the summit, specifically highlighted the shortage of skilled healthcare personnel, the technological gaps, and the need for preventive and life-saving services in the country. These are the key issues this project intends to tackle. The project is fully aligned with FSM’s new Framework for Sustainable Health Development (2024–2034) and its emphasis on “leaving no communities behind” in health service delivery.

The project is designed to deliver an integrated, community-driven, and climate-resilient approach to expanding primary healthcare access, with a specific focus on the outer islands. The project seeks to close the service delivery gap between main islands and remote communities by strengthening health infrastructure, deploying skilled personnel, and embedding innovative systems such as telehealth. The overarching objective is to improve equitable access to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations living on FSM’s outer islands. By modernizing rural health facilities, equipping them with renewable energy and digital technology, and building the capacity of local health workers, the project directly contributes to national aspirations for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), sustainable development, and resilience in the face of climate and geographic challenges.

Under the supervision of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Department of Health and Social Affairs (DHSA), the Medical and Public Health Specialist will support the strengthening of public health services and systems across the FSM, including island communities and local institutions. The assignment focuses on improving healthcare delivery, enhancing surveillance systems, and contributing to preparedness, detection, and response to public health events.

The Medical and Public Health Specialist will provide healthcare services, support Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) activities, and assist in field epidemiology work, including outbreak response and implementation of the WHO Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS) where required. They will also contribute to data collection, analysis, and the preparation of reports, bulletins, and other communication materials to support timely public health decision-making.

In addition, the Medical and Public Health Specialist will support the development and implementation of SOPs, guidelines, and tools, as well as capacity-building initiatives for local staff and students through training and knowledge sharing. They will work in a multidisciplinary environment and may be required to undertake additional tasks, including backstopping and replacement support, as needed.

The Medical and Public Health Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

1. Provide health care services to population in the islands and at the local college in the FSM.

2. Train local staff and students in healthcare, foundational sciences, traditional medicine

3. Contribute to all aspects of prevention, preparedness, early detection, response and recovery from acute public health events.

4. Support to implementation of surveillance through the components of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) that include Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) Indicator-based surveillance (IBS), Community Based Surveillance and Sentinel Surveillance.

5. Support verification, risk assessment, monitoring and information-sharing on diseases, conditions and events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern.

6. Participate in Field Epidemiology activities, including rapid deployment to areas affected by emergencies and outbreaks to provide technical assistance to the local or national authorities and key partners and backstop field epidemiology teams in the gathering and analysis of information for public health action using state-of-the-art technologies and/or the identification and design of suitable surveillance systems in emergencies and implement the standardized WHO Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS) where necessary;

7. Perform tasks such as data entry, validation and analyses to assist in the formulation of briefing documents and other informational materials.

8. Support development of communication products such as situation reports, bulletins, alerts, and other ad-hoc reports using standard tools and templates, and achieve results based on a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approach.

9. Participate in activities development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines, tools and manuals.

10. Support capacity building and training of colleagues; Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

• Adaptability and Flexibility • Client Orientation • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Empowering Others • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Knowledge Sharing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management • Technological Awareness

• At least three (3) years of clinical practice experience with a successful track record in epidemiology, public health surveillance, outbreak control, information management, and quantitative methods • Medical physician with combined clinical and public health experience • Knowledgeable and capable of responding effectively to public health emergencies • Experience in designing and implementing large databases, managing complex information flows, and conducting quantitative research and interpretation • Experience in responding to complex humanitarian crises • Experience in teaching, training, or academic instruction within medical, nursing, or public health institutions • Experience working with WHO or UN organizations is considered an asset • Demonstrated expertise in clinical practice, field epidemiology, quantitative methods, and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging diseases in multidisciplinary environments • Proven ability to link routine health information and epidemiological data to project planning, service delivery, and policy decision-making • Excellent organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to multitask and produce accurate results under pressure • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information in a clear and concise manner • Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in professional interactions

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) living conditions are defined by a mix of traditional, subsistence-based lifestyles, high vulnerability to climate change, and reliance on foreign financial assistance. While the islands offer a peaceful environment with low crime rates, residents face significant challenges regarding infrastructure, healthcare, and economic opportunity. The economy is heavily reliant on subsistence fishing and farming, alongside public sector employment which generates about 40% of the GDP. Housings are a mix of modern, concrete, and traditional wooden structured home with an average household size of 6.2 persons. Electricity, clean water access, connectivity and transportation are unreliable in rural areas especially on remote outlying islands. Each state has a 24-hour public hospital, but are limited by shortages of staff, equipment, and supplies. Serious cases often require medical evacuation to neighboring jurisdictions. The population faces a triple burden of communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases (e.g., diabetes), and climate-related health issues. Education is a key focus for improvement under the Strategic Development Plan, with the College of Micronesia-FSM (COM-FSM) serving as the main higher education provider. FSM offers a relaxed “laid-back” lifestyle with a strong emphasis on communal work and cultural respect.

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Potential interview questions

Added 17 days ago - Updated 2 days ago - Source: unv.org