Provincial Malaria 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.

The International UN Volunteer, Provincial Malaria Officer, will work primarily with the Savannakhet Provincial Malaria Program (PAM) in the south of Lao PDR, which has the highest malaria burden in the country. The World Health Organization will be the host agency for the UN Volunteer and they will be expected to work closely with the National, Provincial and District level malaria programs in Savannakhet and Salavan Provinces under the direction of the WHO malaria technical officers based in the Lao country office. The position will operate on a day to day basis under the Savannakhet Provincial malaria unit. The core roles of the position is to support these units in implementing key activities under the National Malaria Strategic Plan, including supporting disease surveillance, epidemic response and capacity building in using data for operational decision making. The UN Volunteer will also need to support studies that monitor the efficacy of anti-malarial treatments as well as work in collaboration with the other NGOs, CSOs and UN agencies that are malaria stakeholders in this area.

Under the direct supervision of the WHO Malaria Technical Officer the UN volunteer will assist the Centre for Malariaology, Parasitology and Entomology (CMPE) unit of the Ministry of Health (MOH) to fulfil their objectives with particular focus on supporting therapeutic efficacy studies (TES), surveillance and epidemic response. The UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Work with the National Centre for Malarialology, Parasitology and Entomology (CMPE), Provincial and District Malaria offices and health facility staff to support implementation of routine anti-malarial therapeutic efficacy studies (TES) at sentinel sites in Savannakhet and in southern provinces; • Coordinate with the WHO Country Office Malaria team in Vientiane and provide localised technical assistance to the Provincial and District malaria teams (PAM and DAMN) in Savanakhet Province, specifically to - Support the program to implement activities that are part of the innovative malarian elimination ‘accelerator strategies’; - Strengthen capacity of the subnational program staff to implement, monitor and report on the outbreak response strategies implemented as part of the national Malaria Surveillance and Response Guidelines for high burden provinces; - Improve provincial and district malaria office capacity to regularly and systematically analyse and interpret monthly malaria disease surveillance data in the malaria information system (DHIS2) and to address common programmatic issues such as commodity stock outs, district outbreak alerts, diagnosis and treatment irregularities and reporting problems; - Assist the provincial and district malaria staff to build management and operational capacity in their day to day work; • Undertake other tasks as required.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to the WHO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to the WHO 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 the WHO 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 the WHO mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

a public health program or in a related field; • Experience working in a developing country setting, preferably in the south-east Asian region; • Experience working in disease surveillance and/or public health implementation is desirable; • Willingness to leant Lao language is desirable.

The position will be based in Savannakhet city, the Provincial capital of Savannakhet Province. Living conditions in Savannakhet are acceptable, with relatively good road infrastructure and health facilities. Savannakhet is a relatively safe place to live in, with violent crime incidents rare. However, single females should exert vigilance if moving alone during the dark and it is best advised to move in groups.
The biggest hazards relate to traffic accidents, hence utmost care should be exerted when in traffic, especially when riding a motorbike.

The Savannakhet entertainment scene is quiet and in order to avoid feeling lonely the person should be proactive in forming friendships, and hence should be ready to make the best of e.g. the UNV Buddy Programme.

The temperature is warm even during the rainy season which starts from June and lasts until September. Temperature is lowest from November to February. All basic commodities necessities are available locally in this city.

Lao PDR is a unique country and the malaria program WHO is supporting is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.