Public Health Specialist

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.

Over the past decades, Bangladesh made remarkable human development progress, despite frequent intensive and extensive disasters, impact of climate change and, more recently, the Rohingya refugee crisis. As one of the world's fastest growing economies, the country is an aspirant of LDC graduate and aims to become a developed nation by 2041.

However, its development gains have not been distributed in an equitable way resulting in widening inequality despite making good progress women economic empowerment. Its economic reliance on foreign remittances and RMG have increasingly being exposed to 4th Industrial Revolution and more recently COVID-19. While urbanization and industrialization continue to offer an economic dividend, they have a compound negative impact on eco-system health. Besides, climate and disaster remain major fault-line in the economy and society. In addressing the challenges, the country was able to maintain a forward-facing policy environment. As a result, the reduction of poverty and inequality, and becoming a resilient nation remain the GoB's top priority. The country is also known for its accelerated implementation approach of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through nationally driven policies and investments.

In support of the country's ambition, UNDP has been a strong partner of the government in co-designing policy solutions, capacity building and promoting innovations. The expectation from UNDP to play an SDG integrator role is growing in the context of the post-UN reform.

This Job Description is designed to support a more integrated and collaborative way in supporting Bangladesh achieve sustainable development and sustainable peace. The Country Office has designed new ways of working that will facilitate collaboration across the office and higher delivery and emphasize learning and support to national staff capacity development.

Under the direct supervision of Head of Strategy and Policy support unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Assess damage to health infrastructure for primary and secondary care, the state of health referral and support systems, including cold chain, laboratory, essential drugs and health information systems, and the vital needs of the affected populations.

• Collaborate with national authorities and health partners to coordinate and implement pub-lic health response activities; analyse existing coordination mechanisms, designing and recommending improvements.

• Provide analysis of the public health risks, needs and capacities and advise on priority interventions for UNDP and partners, challenges and operational course correctors, as applicable.

• Monitor progress towards achievement of universal health coverage; analyse social determinants of health and their impact, identifying inequities, gaps in the delivery of health services or emergency interventions, recommending appropriate actions and innovative approaches to improve the situation;

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

professional experience in planning, developing and implementing health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control, and/or public health programmes. Relevant experience with the inter-agency mechanisms used to coordinate international preparedness and response to health emergencies, including those most relevant to coordination of health policy and action in health emergencies.

Dhaka is the centre of political, cultural and economic life in Bangladesh. Although its urban infrastructure is the most developed in the country, Dhaka suffers from urban problems such as pollution, lack of public transport and overpopulation. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen modernization of services, communications and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals, but a series of security incidents since 2016 have led to increased security measures for UN international staff and volunteers. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station and a cessation of incidents is expected to lead to relaxation of security measures, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations.