Assistant Public Health Officer

Hardship Level

B

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

NOA

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2024-02-01

Job Posting End Date

December 19, 2023

Standard Job Description

Assistant Public Health Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Assistant 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 guidance to UNHCR 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 and monitors the response. S/he has close contacts with internal and external stakeholders such as government counterparts, UN Agencies and NGOs.

The Assistant Public Health Officer should also ensure consultation with communities seeking the diverse views of men, women, girls and boys, adolescents, youth, older persons, LGBTI 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 professionals 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 have responsibilities for nutrition and MHPSS responses. In the absence of more senior public health staff, Assistant Public Health Officer may be required to work with the programme staff (or other designated staff member) to support operational collaboration and joint programming with WFP on nutrition and food security.

The Assistant Public Health Officer is normally supervised by a (Senior) Public Health Officer or by the Head of Office/ Senior Operations/ Assistant Representative (Operations). The incumbent 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 and the Regional Bureau.

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 and Partnership

• Assist in the co-ordination of public health, reproductive health, nutrition and HIV activities within the Area of Responsibility (AOR) 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.
• With support from the supervisor, support the Operation 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.
• In line with the Global Compact on Refugees work with governments and humanitarian and development partners to ensure a complementary approach to meet the health needs of POCs.
• Represent UNHCR in health coordination and other meetings including inter-sectoral groups such as Technical Working Groups for MHPSS and nutrition.
• 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 operational collaboration with WFP including the 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),
• Support emergency responses to new refugee influxes or outbreaks or other situations in line with the Public Health Emergency Toolkit and UNHCR’s Emergency Handbook and the SPHERE Handbook.

Strategic planning and development

• Contribute to the implementation of UNHCR’s Strategic Plan for Public Health and adaptation at country level.
• 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.
• Contribute to public health strategies addressing 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 LGBTI individuals, health and protection services for persons selling sex and programming for persons with disabilities including access to assistive technologies and appropriate associated services.
• Support the monitoring of 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.
• 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).
• Maintain and update contingency plans within the AOR for potential epidemics, refugee and returnee movements.

Technical integrity and risk mitigation

• Update and disseminate standard practices on public health, MHPSS, nutrition, HIV and reproductive health among partners.
• Support the prioritization of primary health care (including preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care)
• Monitor, in close co-ordination with other humanitarian actors, that health care services provided to POC are based on Ministry of Health, UNHCR and/or internationally recognized and most up-to-date standards and policies.
• Support the adaptation of 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.
• 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.

Collaboration

• 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.
• Assist with the review and analysis of relevant project proposals and budgetary submissions presented by UNHCR partners within the context of the UNHCR programming cycle.
• Seek the diverse views of men, women, girls and boys, adolescents, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and LGBTI in assessing needs, designing, implementing and monitoring responses in line with UNHCR’s policy on age, gender and diversity mainstreaming.
• Contribute to the 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.
• Assist in the monitoring of 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• Draft regular sectoral reports and submit material for preparation of periodic project monitoring reports as required by the office at country level.
• Provide timely updates to enable adequate reporting and briefings to donors and management.

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.
• 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.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Medicine, Medical Science, Medical Doctor, Nursing, Public Health

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified.

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Knowledge of public health, reproductive health and nutrition. 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

MS-Monitoring & Evaluation

MD-Public Health Epidemiology

MD-Reproductive Health

MD-Community Health – Health Data Collection/Analysis/Interpretation

UN-UNHCR’s Mandate/Policy and Global Strategic Priorities

(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

The Assistant 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 to minimize avoidable morbidity and mortality among persons we serve and towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs. 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 Public Health. The incumbent should be able to drive the strategy of integration of persons we serve into the national health system. In this regard, a good knowledge of the national health system is an added value.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

French

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

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:

Cameroon hosts 2,196, 969 persons of concern to UNHCR, including 1,066,264 internally displaced persons, 475,729 refugees and asylum-seekers and 645,746 IDP returnees. The refugees are predominantly from the Central African Republic and Nigeria, while the internally displaced persons mainly come from Cameroon’s Far North, North-West, and South-West regions.

Most of the 354,078 CAR refugees reside in towns and villages in Cameroon’s eastern façade, while nearly 114,675 Nigerian refugees live in Cameroon’s Far North Region, and 29,504 urban refugees (Yaounde, Douala). 52% of the refugees are women and girls, and 55% are children. 51% of internally displaced persons are children.

Cameroon multi-Country Office covers Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe. UNHCR MCO Cameroon focuses on protection needs as well as providing documentation and promoting self-reliance for refugees and internally displaced persons.

Nutritional surveys conducted over the period 2016-2022 show high prevalence of acute malnutrition among Central African refugees, which have deteriorated overall in 2022 compared to 2016. The Nigerian refugees in the Minawao camp show a more stable situation, but with an increase in severe acute malnutrition compared to 2016. Stunting is very high everywhere, with a maximum of 1 in 2 children affected in the refugee sites and camps.

The Assistant Public Health Officer will be supervised by Deputy Representative (Ops). The incumbent will support and provide technical guidance and support for Public Health, Nutrition, Food Security, WASH, Mental Health, and Psychosocial Services. He/she will provide technical support in the emergency response for HIV/AIDS, Reproductive health, Epidemic Preparedness and Response measures (including EVD, Measles, Malaria, Cholera, Meningitis, and others), Pharmaceutical Management, Integrated Refugee Health Information Systems (IRHIS) and establishing referral mechanisms.

Living and Working Conditions:

Yaoundé is a family duty station with suitable infrastructures/facilities. Good quality accommodation (hotels, apartments, houses, studios) at a price ranging from 800 USD to 1,600 USD per month depending on their localization with acceptable standards is available both in the capital and in the field offices. There are several supermarkets where local and foreign goods are available. French and American International schools exist in Yaounde and Douala. A UN dispensary frequented by staff and other UN recommended medical facilities are also available/accessible by UNHCR staff and their family members. Several banks and ATM are available in the capital accepting Visa and Master cards. Travels within the country are undertaken regularly through UNHAS and CAMAIRCO (national company) flights or by road. Many airlines fly to Douala and Yaounde. Traveling by road is also practiced by UNHCR with overnight in approved hotels. Taxi services are available, but it¿s recommended to be use them with caution. Ther is a variety of mobile phone operators providing equipment and internet services (Camtel, MTN, Orange, Nextel). Several entertainment centres exist in Yaoundé: stadium, nightclubs, swimming pools, theatre, handicraft centres, fitness rooms, centre of attraction for children, etc. Upon arrival, staff will be assisted with proper security briefing sessions conducted both by UNDSS/UNHCR as well as the heads of main units/sections.The current security situation in Yaoundé is relatively calm. UNDSS Security levels are currently rated at SLS 2 (LOW) for Yaoundé and SLS 4 (Substantial) in the North-West, South-West and Far-North regions. The main security concern in Yaoundé city is crime, which includes petty thefts, vehicle break-in, house break-in, street robberies, physical assault and fraud. The holding of legislative and municipal elections was marked by an upsurge in violence in North-West and Southwest regions of the country as secessionists attempted to disrupt the elections. A UNDSS security clearance must be requested through TRIP system at least 72 hours before travel date and must be obtained before starting any official trip.The main problem this year is the COVID 19 pandemia, which does not allow movements inside Cameroon and from outside. Borders are closed and there are already in less than one month 800 cases infected. This means that anyone recruited during this period will have to work on teleworking until the day borders open again.

Skills

Additional Qualifications

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Medical Doctor, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Medical Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Medicine, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Nursing, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Health

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

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

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Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance