Public Health Officer

Public Health Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Field Coordinator, in liaising with Brach Office Public Health team, the Public Health Officer is expected to provide policy and technical guidance on health, training, carry out joint assessments, coordinate implementation of the programme with WFP and UNICEF, ensure standard settings and protocols, compile and provide data on health situations.

The Public Health Officer is expected to contribute to the development of specific inputs to health programmes. The incumbent will be working with minimum supervision in project submissions, revisions and reallocations throughout the project lifecycle in health programmes, including emergency operations.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Sufficient technical support is provided in the field of public health thus UNHCR is able to meet the needs of persons of concern.

Responsibility
- Ensure that health care service delivery in UNHCR operations, including nutrition, is based on Ministry of Health, UNHCR and/or internationally recognised and most up-to-date standards and policies.
- Work closely with UNHCR programme, field and protection staff to identify priority health issues and key data requirements for programme planning and monitoring to ensure that minimum UNHCR and international standards are being met. 
- Develop a Public Health strategy and guidelines for use by UNHCR and partners as appropriate.
- Monitor technical and financial aspects of the UNHCR health and nutrition programme with emphasis on Health Information System, application of standard guidelines and protocols.
- Monitor use and distribution by implementing partners of UNHCR provided drugs.
- Provide technical support and guidance to implementing/operational partners where required.
- Promote programme evaluation to enable the identification of gaps in programme implementation and standards, and to further promote evidence-based activities and guidance.
- Coordinate health and nutrition activities and promote inter-sectoral coordination within and outside UNHCR operations in Ethiopia, including organisation of health sector meetings with partners.
- Update and disseminate information materials on health and nutrition based on standard practices and policies among partners.
- Provide input/participation to periodic joint assessment missions including food, health, nutrition etc. when appropriate, disseminate results and follow up on recommendations.
- Review and update selective feeding programmes in refugee camps, as appropriate.
- Participate in the development and review of project proposals and budgetary submissions in health and nutrition for UNHCR Ethiopia.
- Maintain and update contingency plans for potential epidemics, refugee and returnee movements.
- Develop formal and informal training to build the capacity of refugees, UNHCR and its partners in health and nutrition sector.
- Support health focal points in UNHCR sub and field offices to develop a training plan, organise and act as resource person in workshops and training both in-service (formal) and on the job (coaching).
- Share with local and international partners on the ground relevant guidelines and information materials on refugee health--including reproductive health and HIV/AIDS--and nutrition.
- Support health focal points to promote the establishment of refugee Health Committees to enable their active participation in the process of health planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
- Support field offices in case of emergency or other health-related need.
- Perform other duties as required.

Authority
- Represent UNHCR in national fora concerning refugee health and nutrition.
- Intervene with implementing partners on public health and nutrition issues.
- Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, all public health standard operating procedures.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced university degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Social Science or related fields.
- Minimum 6 years of previous relevant job experience.
- Very good computer skills.
- Excellent knowledge of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Working knowledge of French.