Senior Public Health Officer

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Regular > Regular AssignmentNo2022-11-21-08:00December 15, 2022Senior Public Health Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Public Health Officer is a member of a multidisciplinary team and will ensure that UNHCR's public health programmes meet minimum UNHCR and global health standards in order to minimise avoidable morbidity and mortality among populations of concern (POC) and towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The incumbent provides strong and timely technical and strategic guidance to UNHCR senior management and partners including on the design and scope of UNHCR's responses in health and nutrition, catalyses the engagement of other actors, supports resource mobilisation efforts including with the private sector and monitors the response. The incumbent has close contacts with internal and external stakeholders such as government counterparts, UN Agencies and embassies/donors. At the country level, the Senior Public Health Officer plays a crucial role in coordination, planning, and monitoring of public health programmes and responses including support to the collection and use of health and nutrition-related data, design of public health programmes, capacity building of UNHCR personnel and partners, advocacy, information and communication on public health-related issues. In the Field, the Senior Public Health Officer is a member of the senior management team coordinates and provides technical support to a regional network of country-level public health, nutrition and food security and HIV focal points as well as Protection and Programme Officers. At the regional level, the Senior Public Health Officer plays a crucial role in providing strategic guidance to country public health programmes and responses including support to the development of country health strategies and Refugee Response Plans, design of public health programmes, fostering inclusion of refugees in national policies and strategies and health systems, emergency response, public health data analysis, capacity building of UNHCR personnel and partners, advocacy, information and communication on public health-related issues. The Senior Regional Public Health Officer is a member of the senior management team and coordinates and provides technical support to a regional network of public health, nutrition and food security and HIV focal points, engages closely with senior management in the development of regional strategies and coordinates closely with other regional units such as Protection, and Programme s. The incumbent should also ensure consultation with communities seeking the diverse views of men, women, girls and boys, adolescents, youth, older persons, LGBTQI persons, persons with disabilities, including people with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities, in assessing needs, designing, implementing and monitoring responses in line with UNHCR's policy on age, gender and diversity mainstreaming. Public Health programmes include primary health care, secondary health care, community health, reproductive health (including HIV), nutrition, MHPSS and health information systems. In addition to public health staff, major operations may also have dedicated staff focusing on any of these components but public health officers are expected to be very conversant with reproductive health programming and ensure that minimum standards are met. Depending on the size of the operation the incumbent may be expected to have major responsibilities for nutrition and MHPSS responses. Senior Public Health Officers will work with the Senior Programme Officer (or other designated staff member) to support operational collaboration and joint programming with WFP on nutrition and food security. The Senior Public Health Officer is normally supervised by a Senior Operations/ Assistant Representative in the Field or by Head of Public Health Section (PHS) at Headquarters. The incumbent in the Field has a functional line with the Public Health Section in Geneva regarding authoritative guidance and support in technical matters and is expected to maintain regular contact with the PHS. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties Coordination, Leadership and Partnership - Co-ordinate public health, reproductive health, nutrition and HIV activities in support of the government¿s responses and in conjunction with other UN agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other partners, including development actors to ensure delivery of public health and nutrition services to beneficiaries ( (POC) and host community) meet UNHCR and /or nationally recognised and most up-to-date standards and policies. - Support operations to define the level and scope of UNHCR's involvement in public health and nutrition responses in terms of overall and operational objectives during emergency situations and beyond. - Support the Operation¿s engagement in the public health related aspects of contributions of major donors to refugee responses, including the World Bank; taking part in assessments, design of projects, monitoring and evaluation. - In line with the Global Compact on Refugees, work with governments, humanitarian and development partners to ensure a whole-of-government (i.e. relevant national and local authorities for health and nutrition response) multi-stakeholder approach and planning to harness the comparative advantages of different actors to meet the health needs of POC. - Engage in relevant partnership fora, including in line with UNHCR's role as a UNAIDS co-sponsor of the Joint Programme on AIDS and co-lead with WFP of the Division of Labour area of HIV in Humanitarian Settings. - Support countries to respond and catalyse engagement of other actors in line with Memoranda of Understanding with major partners; this includes the development or updating of country-specific plans of action to delineate the roles, responsibilities and contributions of other actors. - Ensure regular updates and share information within UNHCR as well as with the government, UN and NGO partners and donor communities on the health status and needs of the refugee including in support of UNHCR's role in advocacy for the wellbeing and rights of refugees and other POC to UNHCR. - Support robust and timely emergency responses to new refugee influxes, outbreaks or other situations in line with the Public Health Emergency Toolkit, UNHCR1s Emergency Handbook and the SPHERE Handbook. - Contribute to development and implementation of UNHCR's Strategic Plan for Public Health and adaptation at country or regional level. At country level - Represent UNHCR in Health Coordination and other meetings including inter-sectoral groups such as Technical Working Groups for MHPSS and nutrition. - Support operational collaboration with WFP including the design and implementation of Joint Assessment Missions and corresponding Joint Plans of Action in line with global commitments on targeting of assistance to meet basic needs and data sharing to support assistance distribution (in collaboration with programme and protection colleagues). At regional level - Provide strategic guidance to country public health teams on public health, reproductive health, nutrition and HIV programmes in support of national government¿s responses and in conjunction with other UN agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other partners, including development actors to ensure delivery of public health and nutrition services to beneficiaries ( (POC) and host community) meet UNHCR and /or nationally recognised and most up-to-date standards and policies. - Coordinate at regional level with key partners such as WHO and UNICEF and bring the perspectives of UNHCR¿s POCs to regional fora including on inclusion into national health systems. Engage with other relevant stakeholders such ILO on social health protection and World Bank (in cooperation with other relevant units) - Monitor the progress for health and nutrition related pledges and provide targeted support to country operations to advance concretisation, implementation and reporting of pledges. - Foster a culture of knowledge sharing, harmonisation of practises and cross-country learning among public health staff in the region through regular meetings and exchanges. - Engage with WFP at regional level on global commitments for targeting of assistance to meet basic needs and overall food assistance (in collaboration with programme and protection colleagues). Support country operations in the planning of Joint Assessment Missions and review of corresponding Joint Plans of Action. Strategic planning and development - Work with others in UNHCR to advocate for refugees, returnees and other POC's access to local public health, reproductive health (RH) and HIV, MHPSS and nutrition services (including food assistance where relevant) and lobby for inclusion of refugees, returnees and other POC as a specific group in government policies and plans related to health, RH and HIV as well as major donor programmes such as the Global Fund for HIV, TB and Malaria. - Provide guidance and make recommendations on the overall strategy and focus of Public Health and Nutrition programmes including ensuring public health strategic approaches are developed in a multi-sectoral and co-ordinated manner in co-operation with government, UN agencies, NGOs and other humanitarian partners with due consideration to the approaches outlined in the Global Compact on Refugees and in support of the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG3. - Ensure public health strategies address known gaps in health and nutrition programming based on country-specific needs assessments with due consideration to neonatal and maternal health care, TB and viral hepatitis, palliative care, health services for LGBTQI individuals, health and protection services for persons selling sex and programming for persons with disabilities including access to assistive technologies and appropriate associated services. - Ensure public health strategies inform and are included in multi-year, multi-partner solutions strategies and in funding appeals such as regional refugee response plans or other humanitarian appeals. - Work with stakeholders, including UN agencies, NGOs, Ministries of Health and academic institutions in the development of public health response plans associated with refugee movements (including in repatriation programmes). At country level - Develop and monitor country specific medium to long term inclusion plans in support of the Ministry of Health and other relevant Ministries (e.g. Social Welfare) and in partnership with development and other actors. - Maintain and update contingency plans for potential epidemics, refugee and returnee movements. At regional level - Lead the development, roll-out and monitoring of the regional public health strategy (where relevant) and support the development/revision and updating of relevant country public health strategies. Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of Regional Refugee Response Plans and support operations in developing the health and nutrition components of country specific Refugee Response Plans. - Support country operations in the development and monitoring of country specific medium to long term plans for inclusion of refugees in national policies, strategies, services and social protection schemes in support of the Ministry of Health and other relevant Ministries (e.g. Social Welfare) and in partnership with development and other actors. - Ensure country operations maintain and update contingency plans for potential epidemics, refugee and returnee movements. Technical integrity and risk mitigation - Support the prioritization of primary health care (including preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care) - Monitor and support compliance with, and integrity of, all Public Health standard operating procedures in conjunction with Project Control and Programme staff and in line with delegated authorities, including flagging to senior managers when these are not in line with global guidance or not being followed. At country level - Update and disseminate standard practices on public health, MHPSS, nutrition, HIV and reproductive health among partners. - Establish and/or adapt UNHCR internal operating procedures to ensure they are in line with UNHCR and/or international standards and improve efficiency of programme activities; this includes - but is not limited to - referral health care, medicines and medical supplies procurement and management, medical resettlement and resettlement of persons with health needs, cash-based assistance for health care coverage and referral between units and inter-sectoral collaboration. - Ensure pharmacy management including orders for medicines and medical supplies are inline with UNHCR standards. At regional level - Ensure coherent and consistent approaches in the implementation of public health and nutrition programmes, policies, and SOPs in the region in line with UNHCRs policies, adopted to national contexts. - Ensure dissemination of standard practices on public health, MHPSS, nutrition, HIV and reproductive health among country operations. - Ensure UNHCR internal operating procedures are updated regularly, are in line with UNHCR and/or international standards and harmonised across country operations; this includes - but is not limited to - referral health care, medicines and medical supplies procurement and management, medical resettlement and resettlement of persons with health needs, cash-based assistance for health care coverage - Oversight of pharmacy management in countries including timeliness of orders and technical validation of orders. - Document and share lessons learnt across country. Collaboration - 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. - Support linkages of public health to WASH programmes throughout all stages of the programme cycle including in outbreak preparedness and response, emergency responses to refugee influxes, WASH in health facilities, and menstrual hygiene management. - Support inter-sector collaboration throughout all stages of programme cycle between public health and nutrition with WASH, education, environment, shelter, and protection in order to promote synergies and maximise impact. - Ensure consultation with communities seeking the diverse views of men, women, girls and boys, adolescents, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and LGBTQI in assessing needs, designing, implementing and monitoring responses in line with UNHCR¿s policy on age, gender and diversity mainstreaming. - Ensure implementation of the UNHCR Health Information System and other relevant data collection tools including the balanced scorecard, maternal and neonatal death audits, Health Access and Utilisation Survey and other corporate tools where relevant; support the analysis, interpretation and use of public health data. - Advocate for the inclusion of refugees and other POC in national surveys such as demographic and health surveys, multi-indicator cluster surveys, AIDS indicator surveys including where possible a separate sample for refugees allowing for comparisons and trend analysis over time. - Support national health systems to disaggregate data by refugee and nationals in key areas based on country specific needs in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. - Monitor public health and nutrition programmes against standard UNHCR and international indicators, to ensure that programmes are evidence-based and implemented in a comprehensive and cost-effective manner. - Promote applied research and programme evaluation to enable the identification of gaps in programme implementation and standards, and to further promote evidence-based activities and guidance. - In line with policies for Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), ensure POC have access to feedback and accountability mechanisms relating to public health and nutrition services including the collection and analysis of data on their satisfaction with regards to public health and nutrition services. - Prepare regular sectoral and global reports and submit material for preparation of periodic project monitoring reports as required. At country level - Support health focal points to participate in the review and analysis of relevant project proposals and budgetary submissions presented by UNHCR partners within the context of the UNHCR programming cycle. - Ensure that project plans or proposals submitted to UNHCR for funding adhere to internationally accepted standards, and are based on a comprehensive PHC strategy, rights based and meet the needs of vulnerable persons. - Support the planning, implementation, analysis, dissemination and use of nutritional surveys (Standardized Expanded Nutrition Surveys, SENS), health-related surveys and post-distribution monitoring exercises (in collaboration with WFP). At regional level - Support the planning, analysis, dissemination and use of nutritional surveys (Standardized Expanded Nutrition Surveys, SENS) and health-related surveys in cooperation with relevant colleagues. Capacity Building - Support capacity strengthening of UNHCR and its implementing partners to address public health, nutrition, reproductive health, HIV, MHPSS programming in a co-ordinated, multi-sectoral way and disseminate relevant guidelines and information materials. This should include capacity building on health information systems ensuring quality of public health and nutrition data and the effective management of medicines and medical supplies. - Undertake and/or support capacity building needs assessments of UNHCR staff and partners and develop approaches to address capacity gaps including identifying internal and external training opportunities. - In conjunction with the Public Health Section in HQ, Global Learning and Development Centre (GLDC) and external actors, support development of capacity strengthening tools and materials including webinars, e-learning materials and online learning tools. - Plan, organise, facilitate and participate in workshops in conjunction with Bureaux, Public Health Section in HQ, GLDC and external actors. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Years of Experience / Degree Level For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Medicine, Medical Science, Medical Doctor, Nursing, Public Health, or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Not specified. Relevant Job Experience Essential Clinical background (nurse or MD) with postgraduate training in Public Health or other relevant field. Knowledge of public health, reproductive health and nutrition in humanitarian situations. Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities and principles. Good communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiations skills. Desirable Additional qualifications in Nutrition and WASH and a thorough understanding of the linkages with public health and Food security. Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of Public Health. Functional Skills EL-Monitoring and Evaluation PH- Public Health Epidemiology MD-Reproductive Health PH-Community Health-Health Data Collection/Analysis/Interpretation UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities FO-Complex field emergency operations MD-HIV/AIDS situation management PG-Programme Monitoring CO-Strategic Communication (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.Clinical background with Master degree in Public Health is essential. Working experience in different refugee contexts is desirable. Excellent written and oral English skills are essential. Experience in interagency coordination, health data management and analysis and working experience in a humanitarian context are essential. Given the complex nature of the response, very good interpersonal communication skills and diplomacy are essential.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

In collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), UNHCR along with other United Nations (UN) agencies, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGO), and National NGOs with its partners continues provide life-saving support to Rohingya refugees hosted in Bangladesh.

In Cox’s Bazar, the Health Sector is coordinated by Ministry of Health (MoH) and WHO and the Nutrition Sector by UNICEF. UNHCR is an active member of the respective Sector Strategic Advisory Groups, chairs the Community Health Working Group and has co-lead support role in the MHPSS working group. UNHCR is furthermore coordinating community health response across all 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char and supports field level coordination of the health response in 50% of the camps.

On Bhasan Char island, UNHCR leads the Health and Nutrition Sector in close collaboration with the Civil Surgeon Noakhali, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (ARRRC) and partners.

UNHCR supports 28 healthcare facilities, 19 nutrition centres and two stabilization centres in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, as well as a MoH hospital and two primary healthcare facilities on Bhasan Char. Priorities within the health response includes improving access to lifesaving and comprehensive primary and secondary health services for crisis-affected populations with special focus on maternal and child health aimed at reducing avoidable morbidity and mortality. UNHCR is also advancing a model health and nutrition integration initiative. An approach of engaging in strategic partnerships, capacity building and employing community-based approaches is at the center of the programmes. A network of Community Health (and Nutrition) Workers is complementing the facility-based services. Integrated mental health services are provided by trained general health staff, individual counselling is offered through psychologists and trained Rohingya community counsellors.

The Senior Public Health Officer will lead the Public Health Unit comprising of health, nutrition, and mental health subunits. The incumbent will inter alia oversee effective coordination with Ministry of Health and relevant government authorities, the implementation of health and nutrition integration, sexual and reproductive health, and community health components of the programme; experience in managing these areas is essential. Clinical background with Master degree in Public Health is essential. Working experience in different refugee contexts is desirable. Excellent written and oral English skills are essential. Experience in interagency coordination, health data management and analysis and working experience in a humanitarian context are essential. Given the complex nature of the response, very good interpersonal communication skills and diplomacy are essential.

Living and Working Conditions:

Cox's Bazar is a category D family duty station with a 2-year Standard Assignment Length (SAL). Educational facilities are limited, and international schools from primary to secondary school are currently only available in Dhaka only. Health services are also limited, but are somewhat acceptable in Dhaka. Excellent medical care is accessible in Bangkok. Malaria and dengue risks exist throughout the year. Vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis and diphtheria are required.
Cox's Bazar is a principle tourist destination for Bangladeshis, with a number of hotels and restaurants. Leisure and recreational facilities generally focus on beach activities and hotel-based activities (swimming pools, gyms, restaurant). Infrastructure and shopping options in Cox's Bazar - a small city of just 250,000 persons - are relatively limited, however.
Cox's Bazar is a relatively comfortable duty station, but the workload in the emergency operation is still heavy. The R&R cycle is 8 weeks. There are several domestic flights from/to Dhaka daily during daylight hours. Banks/ATM machines are available in Cox's Bazar and credit/debit cards are accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks and exchange houses. Staff with small children are advised to contact the office for more information, while Cox's Bazaar is a family duty station, educational and medical facilities are not adequate for small children and there are no international schooling facilities at all (only in Dhaka!).
The security level system in Bangladesh is level 3 moderate. Although security is generally acceptable, given the current situation in the area, no movement on highways at night is allowed. Walking and jogging in the streets as earmarked is permitted. Staff members may avail rickshaws and taxis within Cox's Bazar city only. Crowded local markets should be avoided.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

BA: Medical Doctor (Required), BA: Nursing (Required)

Certifications

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2022 Part B – November 2022#4LKDN - job post also available on LinkedInThis position requires Functional Clearance

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