Programme Support
Assist in coordinating health emergency and surveillance activities in Lebanon.
Overview
Assist in coordinating health emergency and surveillance activities in Lebanon.
You have:
- At least 3 years of professional work experience in project management in a public health or related field
- Advanced higher degree (Master's or equivalent) in Public Health, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases or related to emergency
- Experience working in the UN or international development organization
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in MS Office applications and email/internet
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team and challenging environments
- Self-motivated with the ability to work with minimum supervision and under tight deadlines
- Affinity or interest in Public Health and humanitarian volunteerism
Contract
This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.
Lebanon is facing an unprecedented series of crises that have severely impacted its healthcare system. These crises, including the influx of Syrian refugees, the COVID-19 pandemic, the devaluation of the Lebanese lira, the devastating Beirut blast, and outbreaks of measles and cholera, have collectively created an already overwhelming an already fragile healthcare infrastructure and exacerbated the vulnerability of the Lebanese population. In addition, there are 3.7 million of people in need of health assistance, including 2.2 million Syrians and 1.3 million Palestinians. The impact on health care due to regional escalation has been particularly devastating for Lebanon.
Lebanon is inclined to possibility of communicable disease outbreaks, zoonosis, and vaccine preventable disease in due course of decreased immunization coverage, reported multiple layers of fragilities within the battered health system which is adopted by the international community where government facilities are limited in number compare to the private sector, the ongoing War and sporadic cases of insecurity, the massive population movement reported during the last few years within the country and through cross borders, repeated infectious disease outbreaks in the region together with insecurity across Lebanon borders with Syria and Palestine territories. The battered infrastructure in some locations, together with the scarcity of water, Sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). interventions associated with increased risk of water-borne disease outbreaks, for instance, Cholera and hepatitis A.
The potential of increased risk of communicable disease transmission emphasizes the urgency for well well-operating communicable disease surveillance system. Such a system must be built to be sensitive to any potential health risk and disease-specific, including both those that have a tendency to outbreaks and public health emergencies of international concern. The system should be linked to strong epi-laboratory/ laboratory surveillance to provide timely confirmation of biological samples.
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of [WHE Team Lead] or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV [Programme Support] will:
- Assist in coordinating and supporting health emergency and surveillance technical activities;
- Assist in the development of tools to strengthen emergency response and disease surveillance at the national, subnational and community levels;
- Assist in strengthening the capacities of surveillance teams for the effective and sustained surveillance of epidemic-prone diseases;
- Assist in conducting, in collaboration with other team members, real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data, from a broad range of sources including non-health sectors, for epidemic forecasting and detection;
- Contribute to the preparation of progress reports, briefings, proposals, reports and communications required for strategic decision making;
- Facilitate and support the implementation of Pandemic Fund activities in coordination with other team members;
- Support in documenting success stories and lessons learned in the context of WHE’s areas of work;
- Work closely with unit WHE team to facilitate communication between WHE and other team members, notably UHC/Healthier population and operation teams;
- Provide administrative and programmatic support to the WHO Lebanon emergency team, including to support organizing meetings and workshops, developing minutes, preparing related documents, and facilitating administrative procedures;
- Undertake any other related tasks/duties assigned by supervisors.
Results/expected outputs
- As an active WCO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to WCO Lebanon and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
1) Reporting and documentation of all action plans communicated at country level for strategic decision making
2) Synthesize of existing reports and assist in strengthening information and Knowledge management system to maintain and improve all activities databases
3) Coordination evidence gathering to have a chronicle of success stories and lessons learned in the context of WHE’s areas of work.
4) Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
5) 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
Accountability Adaptability and flexibility Creativity Judgement and decision-making Planning and organising Professionalism Self-management
- At least 3 years of professional work experience, at the national and/or international level in project management in a public health or closely related field;
- Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant area, e.g. Public Health, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases or area related to emergency (desired)
- Experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
- Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
- Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
- Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
- 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;
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
- Sound security awareness;
- Have affinity with or interest in Public Health and humanitarian volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.
Benefits package: • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 1,606.56 • Annual and learning leaves • Medical and life Insurance • Free access to different learning platforms. For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service
Potential interview questions
| Describe a challenging project you managed in the health sector. What was your role? | To assess your project management experience and problem-solving skills. | Provide a concise overview of the project, your specific role, and how you overcame challenges. |
| How do you prioritize tasks when time is limited during health emergencies? | To evaluate your ability to manage workloads in high-pressure situations. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of a successful communication strategy you implemented? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| In what ways have you contributed to a multicultural team environment? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you use to ensure effective surveillance of epidemic-prone diseases? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure inclusivity in health initiatives you support or manage? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What do you find most challenging about public health in emergency situations? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time you adapted to a significant change in a project. What did you do? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |