Job Description
| Organization | United Nations Volunteers |
| Description of assignment title | Associate Public Health Officer |
| Host Entity | UNHCR |
| Country | Sudan |
| Duty Station | Kosti |
| Type | Onsite |
| Start Date | 18/05/2022 |
| Duration | 12 months (with possibility of extension) |
| Volunteer category | International UN Volunteer Specialist |
| Advertisement end date | 25/04/2022 |
Details
Mission and objectives
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org). The UNHCR operation in Sudan serves different refugee groups, including people from South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, CAR, Chad, Yemen and Syria, but also internally displaced people, asylum-seekers and stateless individuals through a network of sub- and field offices as well as its Representation in Khartoum. UNHCR focuses on the protection and assistance to these groups in close coordination with national authorities and in partnership with UN and non-UN agencies as well as the civil society.
Context
• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on the job training when working with (including supervising) national staff or non-governmental counterparts, including implementing partners.
• Reports and inputs as stated above are submitted regularly and on-time.
• Other tasks assigned are completed in a timely and accurate way.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• 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
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of Sub office , the UN Volunteer will perform the following:
• Take the lead in the assessment and analysis of the public health needs of persons of concern by implementing methods like: participatory assessments such as the Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective or joint assessment missions; as well as utilizing objective tools like the multi-indicator nutrition, health and WASH survey; health indicators from the Health Information System and Balanced Scorecard approach; and health facility assessments to serve as the basis for planning to effectively address health issues of public health importance, based on the principles of Public Health and Primary Health Care.
• Ensure that public health programme interventions are reflected in implementing partner agreements in a timely manner; regularly monitor and report on compliance with established guidelines and procedures.
• Pursue collaborative, consultative partnerships to ensure quality public health planning and sustainable service provision for refugees in all camps.
• Take the lead in monitoring and evaluating public health programme implementation in the field, in accordance to work plans co-developed with partners.
• Oversee the implementation of the Health Information System from training of health workers on data collection, examination of quality of data collected, and providing supervisory support and guidance to partner health coordinators.
• In collaboration with partners and local authorities, ensure adequate preparedness, early detection, and effective response to disease outbreaks.
• Ensure comprehensive primary healthcare (PHC) programmes are implemented according to national guidelines by health partners in the refugee camps. This will include ensuring that nutrition, mental health care and reproductive health / HIV interventions, are well integrated into the PHC services at camp level.
• Oversee and ensure medical referral activities from the secondary to tertiary level as per the UNHCR Medical Referral Guidelines.
• Establish an efficient drug management system that encompasses assessment of essential medicine needs for the refugee operation based on drug consumption, procurement, storage, distribution, and rational utilization at the camp health facilities.
• Assess training needs of State Ministry of Health and NGO partner staff; ensure that health staff undergo capacity development activities relevant to their posts.
• Implement capacity development interventions with refugee / host community volunteers utilizing participatory approaches.
• Support UNHCR Nutritionist in the conduct of the annual nutrition survey
• Monitor the implementation of the nutrition programme as per the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) approach and the best Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) best practices.
• Advocate with government line ministries for the transfer of operational responsibility of the health sector from the NGOs to the line ministry (MOH).
• Collaborate with UNHCR / MOH / Health Partner’s engineers on the implementation of projects for upgrading of health infrastructure in the camps or host community areas.
• Participate in the evaluation of possible health financing schemes to ensure sustainability of health services in the camps.
• Contribute to UNHCR’s advocacy efforts on the inclusion of refugees into the national health system to ensure the sustainability of health services delivery through health facilities managed by State Ministry of Health. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• 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.
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in Eexperience in public health and nutrition in humanitarian situations; previous working experience in refugee settings and/or international experience; demonstrated experience in managing health and nutrition programmes; experience working with multi-sectorial teams in UN agencies (WFP, UNICEF) and Ministry of Health is an advantage; prior experience in conducting public health assessments/surveys and familiarity with SMART/SENS is an advantage. Computer skills: Working knowledge of Word, Excel, and basic data analysis skills (e.g., Stata, EpiInfo, SPSS) required. Language Skills English (Mandatory), Level – Fluent AND – Arabic (Optional), Level – Working Knowledge.
Area(s) of expertise
Health
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Medicine, Nursing, Medical Science, Public Health and/or nutrition
Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR ; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR 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 UNHCR 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 UNHCR mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Kosti is classified as a non-family duty station with the hardship category “E”, mainly due to its remoteness and low level of basic facilities. The security level is categorised as level-2 with the situation calm and stable. All security briefings are provided in Khartoum by the Senior Field Safety Officer upon arrival. Please note that staff are required to spend from days to weeks in Khartoum to secure a travel authorization/notification which is issued by the authority. Security clearance is required for all travel between Kosti, camps and Khartoum. However, the political environment in Sudan is unpredictable, thus requires strong security awareness when in the field. Travel between Khartoum and Kosti is facilitated by a shuttle service provided by the Office during the working days on regular basis. There is no commercial flight operating between Kosti and the capital, Khartoum. All travels are by road and takes not more than six hours. Security clearance is mandatory, via undss web. As Kosti is designated R&R Duty Station, IUNV is entitled to go for R&R every 8 weeks (56 days) stay in the duty station. Accommodation is provided for international staff in the UNHCR guest house. Visitors, too, can be accommodated if room is available. Staff and visitors are expected to remain in the premises of the guest house after 2100hrs. Sudan is a unique country and Kosti 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. UNHCR operational areas under Sub Office Kosti (9 camps and 2 reception centres) are 55-130 km away from Kosti. 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.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
