Senior Regional Public Health Officer, P.4

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This is a Regional position that falls under the direct supervision of the Regional Support Hub Manager. The incumbent however is required to work closely with the respective UNHCR Heads of each country that fall under the domain of the Regional Office and all other relevant public health staff in the region.
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The Senior Regional Public Health Officer will coordinate and provide technical support to a regional network of country-level health focal points and Health officers. The post shall ensure that UNHCR’s public health programmes meet minimum UNHCR and international standards, to minimise avoidable mortality and morbidity among populations of concern. The incumbent will assist, guide and advise in planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring, coordination and evaluation of public health programmes, projects and activities in the region as well as promoting capacity- building of local partners including the relevant institutions of the host country and the Implementing Partners. The position has a direct responsibility in public health advocacy and conducting information campaigns on public health related issues.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

1. Support UNHCR country programmes with the implementation of Public Health programme and ensure that health care services provided to refugees are based on Ministry of Health, UNHCR and/or internationally recognised and most up-to-date standards and policies.
- Ensure that national and/or internationally accepted and relevant standards and policies are applied and adapted (as need be) in close co-ordination with the host country and relevant UN agencies and partners in order to guide the provision of essential health services.
- Establish and/or adapt UNHCR internal guidelines and procedures to streamline inputs and improve efficiency of the programme activities.
- Promote applied research and programme evaluation to enhance identification of gaps with regard to programme implementation and standards, and to further promote evidence-based activities and guidance. 3. - Provide technical guidance and support to country programmes
- Respond and support public health support in new emergencies in the region.

2. Facilitate regional and country-level coordination of public health, so that health public health programme planning and implementation are streamlined, resources are optimally utilised and there is active participation of the government, partners including refugees and UN agencies. Effective coordination will identify gaps and overlaps in programming, address unmet needs, and orient existing activities to address priority public health issues.
- Support Public Health officers to take a lead role in co-ordinating Public Health activities and ensure that decisions are implemented as agreed upon.
- Work with stakeholders, including UN agencies, NGO’s, Ministries of Health and academic institutions for development of regional disease control plans associated with refugee movements (including in repatriation programmes).
- 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.
- Standardise approaches to disease control related to cross-border population movements between UNHCR country offices and between UNHCR and health partners and UN bodies
- Promote inter-sectoral co-ordination outside and within UNHCR in all matters related to public health programmes.
- Represent UNHCR in relevant (technical meetings which lead to operational guidance) regional and international fora concerning refugee public health.
- Update and disseminate information materials on public health based on standard practices and policies among partners.
- Ensure that provisions contained in the various Memoranda of Understanding between UNHCR and other organisations are applied as appropriate.

3. Undertake needs and resources assessments with governments and partners in order to prioritise needs and activities in the provision of services to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR.
- Support country-level health focal points to define the level and scope of UNHCR involvement, expressed in terms of overall and operational objectives during emergency situations, as well as in care and maintenance and repatriation/reintegration programmes.
- 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.
- Maintain and update regional contingency plans for potential epidemics, refugee and returnee movements.

4. Monitor and evaluate country-level public health programmes against standard UNHCR and international indicators, to ensure that programmes are evidence-based and implemented in a comprehensive and cost-effective manner.
- Active involvement in all aspects of programme monitoring and evaluation with a main emphasis on checking levels of implementation and impact vis-?-vis resource inputs to measure cost-effectiveness and re-orient the programme as appropriate.
- Monitor technical and financial aspects of the public health programme with emphasis on:
-Organisation and use of UNHCR’s Health Information System in order to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
-Application of standard guidelines and protocols.
-Comprehensiveness of the public health programme.
-Use of Health Sector Monitoring Forms.
-Apply various mechanisms and tools to ensure proper monitoring including:
-Regular meetings, in accordance with UNHCR programming cycle.
-Site visits.
-Regular flow of information (reporting).
-Conventional/non-conventional surveys and evaluation studies.
-Meeting with health implementing partners
-Providing technical support and guidance to implementing/operational partners where required
-Data analysis and interpretation

5. Support capacity building initiatives so that refugees, UNHCR and its partners acquire the needed knowledge, skills, and sense of responsibility and ownership of programmes.
- Support country-level health focal points 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 public health--including reproductive health and HIV/AIDS, as well as food and nutrition.
- Support country-level 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.

6. Advocate, inform, and communicate amongst stakeholders to ensure that refugee health is on the national and international agenda and that the needs and health status of refugees are appropriately documented and disseminated.
- Promote information sharing on all aspects related to refugee public health.
- Ensure regular update and share information within UNHCR as well as with relevant government, UN and NGO counterparts and donor communities in the host country on the health status and the needs of the refugees.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Medical Background (e.g. nursing, medical doctor) with Masters degree in Social Science/Public Health Studies.
Minimum 10 years of professional experience, including internships and residencies, with at least a minimum of 5 years in an international capacity and 3 years working with refugees or other conflict-affected and displaced persons
Emergency Public Health Response Experience
Computer skills including word processing, PowerPoint and excel
English is Essential.

Previous professional work with NGOs and UN agencies.
Strong analytical and communication skills (oral and written).
Ability to work in team.
Computer skills including MS Access and a statistical programme.
Experience working at headquarter/regional office as well as working in remote areas in preferable more than one country in the region.

A full curriculum vitae, including nationality and references, should be sent to: UNHCR, Vacancy Management Unit (quoting ref. 10003085), case postale 2500, 1211 Geneva 2 D?p?t, Switzerland, or by fax (+41 22) 739 7322, or preferably, by e-mail: hqpe14@unhcr.org.