VAC-6757 National Health Liaison & Partnership Officer

Afghanistan has one of the lowest scores on the Human Development Index, impacted by displacement, migration and return.  The intensified armed conflict in 2021 and the resulting upheaval in August 2021 have resulted in further escalating humanitarian needs and a significant deterioration of the protection environment for civilians in the country. These factors exacerbate the vulnerabilities of a population already burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent economic downturn, and a severe drought across the country (declared in June 2021). Internal displacement inside Afghanistan is driven by both conflict and natural disaster.  There is now an estimated number of 5.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country, including both protracted and the 634,000 newly displaced by conflict in 2021.

Afghanistan also faces more challenges in its response to the increasing needs for emergency health services due to the upheaval in August 2021. Afghanistan will likely experience further waves of COVID-19, but poor diagnostic capacity prevents accurate case measurement, a lack of healthcare services (including specialist COVID-19 services) impedes access to life-saving healthcare, and vaccine provision remains extremely limited, with considerable challenges being faced regarding roll-out. At this critical time, COVID-19 poses a huge risk to the people of Afghanistan in the context of political instability, humanitarian crises and a fragile health system.

The International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Migration Health programme, with over 160 staff is actively supporting the Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen health service capacity at Points of Entry (PoE), in affected communities and through additional support to other response areas such as health facilities and laboratories to effectively prevent, detect and respond to public health threats. Furthermore, a changing and dynamic operational landscape has meant the need to scale up and intensify coordination and liaison efforts at all levels with relevant partners, both external and internal, to overall enhance stakeholder management, strategic communications and relationship management efforts in support of IOM's migration health programming.

Under the overall supervision of the Migration Health Officer and the direct supervision of the  Public Health Officer for Emergency Health , the successful candidate will liaise relevant health information and facilitate coordination at the local, provincial, regional and national health levels, relating to all of IOM's health programming in Afghanistan. S/he is expected to support coordination and liaison with the MoPH, other relevant Ministries, the Health Cluster and partners, as well as within IOM at the country office level. S/he is expected to carry out the duties in accordance with the strictest ethical standards and with due respect for gender and socio-cultural sensitivities.

• In partnership with the Public Health Officer and the Migration Health Officer, support and facilitate all coordination and liaison efforts with relevant partners, both external and internal, to overall enhance stakeholder management, strategic communications and relationship management efforts in support of IOM's migration health programming.

• Manage key communications with the local, provincial, regional and national health programmes, particularly ensuring and building a stronger relationship with the MoPH and other relevant Ministries, including at the national level.

• Ensure strong relationships, and work to bolster liaison efforts and ties with de-facto ministry counterparts at provincial and local levels to facilitate smoother health operations across the country.

• Ensure liaison and capacity building  with IOM’s implementing  through the organization partners of monthly technical committee meetings (PPHD, IOM, IP and other relevant Health cluster partners), regular joint field monitoring visits and  capacity building workshops on financial and programmatic reporting.

• In coordination with the Monitoring & Reporting officer, ensure the Monitoring of  IP indicators, and support the dissemination of a project Monthly KPIs report, including relevant KPIs;          

• Assume oversight of administration of partnership-centred migration health activities.

• Strengthen existing, and assist, coordinate, and contribute to promoting new partnerships with relevant health stakeholders.

• Undertake a mapping of all relevant partners in Afghanistan including the Diaspora, to contribute to updating IOM Afghanistan's MHU partnerships strategy document.

• Seek out new relationships with non-governmental actors, including NGOs, CSOs, Private sector and support strengthening of partnerships with relevant implementing partners (IP)

• Support the implementation of IOM activities through partnership building and strengthening. This includes providing support to the de-facto MoPH and other Ministries in activities which include developing, implementing and evaluating national health policies that help to improve health system performance at national, sub-national and sub-regional levels.

• Liaise with the national programmes, IOM, other UN Agencies and development partners to present and discuss strategies and issues regarding the health programming.

• Facilitate coordination, management, and liaison between the Health Cluster and other implementing partners.

• Promote information sharing in all aspects related to health among relevant authorities, MoPH, the Health Cluster, and other partners and stakeholders.

• Ensure, in coordination with the Health Information Management officer, the timely production and dissemination of reports and Products to the Health cluster coordination.

• Contribute to mobilizing support and resources for health and advocate for health to be considered as an integral part of national development and aid cooperation.

• Ensure visibility of IOM's work by means of networking and partnerships with relevant health stakeholders, including within IOM and its different departments in the mission.

• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

N/A

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.

• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.

• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.

• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.

• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

Note: The appointment is subject to funding availability.

Skills:

• Track record of exceptional networking, coordinating, and liaising skills, specifically in public health;

• Organizational and administrative skills and ability to establish priorities and plans, ability to work under pressure and cope with deadlines;

• Strong leadership skills;

• Excellent English drafting skills ;

• Demonstrated problem solving attitude and skills;

• Good written and spoken communications skills, good interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;

• Computer literacy required: MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); and

• Maintains confidentiality and discretion in appropriate areas of work.

N/A

• Bachelor’s degree in health administration, anthropology, international relations, nursing, public health or medicine/ a related discipline from an accredited academic institution with 2 years of relevant professional experience with at least two years in a management role; or

• High school degree in the above field with 6 years of relevant experience with three years in a management role.

• Excellent understanding of the Afghanistan political context

• Understanding of the relationships and dynamics between local, provincial, regional, and national levels of ministry activities in Afghanistan required.

• Demonstrated ability in working with government officials, stakeholders, health actors, civil society and other networks required.

• Direct knowledge and experience of working in a complex international environment, particularly collaborating with other UN agencies and intergovernmental organizations active in this field.

• Experience liaising and facilitating coordination between relevant stakeholders at high-levels.

• Field-based experience in working with humanitarian agencies in emergencies in low- and middle-income countries required.

• Understanding of cultural diversity and cultural diversity competence required.

• High level of computer literacy, and significant reporting and database experience required, with proven experience in Microsoft Access, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

• Knowledge of IOM/United Nations and Non-Governmental Organizations humanitarian community preferred.

VI. Languages:

• Fluency in English, Dari and Pashto

Interested applicants are invited to send curriculum vitae through ACBAR website by Close of Business (CoB) 24 Jan 2022 latest, we do not accept hard copies.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please ensure that the e-mail address that you will indicate in your application is accurate.

Campaigning for a candidate can be grounds for disqualification.