Procedures and Eligibility

This position is open to applications from Group 1, Group 2 and all external candidates, provided that requirements regarding professional experience, academic qualifications, language, etc. are fulfilled.

Candidates must be primarily Ugandan nationals. The minimum educational requirement for this position is a university degree.

Applications must be supported by documentation of fully effective performance history and demonstrated potential to assume professional responsibilities.

Your application will NOT be considered if;

  • The application form is not duly filled.
  • The questionnaire at the end of the application form is not answered. (for external candidates)

Interested staff members should consult Recruitment and Assignment of Locally-recruited Staff (RALS) para 38-39-40.

Duties And Qualifications

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.

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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.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

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.

(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

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

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

(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.

Additional Information

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

REMUNERATION

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. The monthly net salary is between UGX 9,532,330 and UGX 12,444,830 depending on relevant experience, dependency status and language proficiency. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations.

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See below for this postion’s Operational Context

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Currently refugee population in four settlements covered by Sub Office Arua is 272,147 refugees by 30/Jun/2022. The daily arrival rate of refugees from Jan-Jul 2022 stands at 35 and the total population received by 21/07/2022 stood at 24,705 new arrivals received in the West/North region. From 2018 onwards, the operation is progressively shifting from emergency response to care and maintenance phase, though the objective is to work with development partners and integrate humanitarian response with development response.

About 52% of the refugees are female. 38% of the population are children. 20% of the population are persons with specific needs. UNHCR have health partners providing health services to PoCs and an integration plan was developed with MoH to progressively handover the health program to MoH. The incumbent is desirable to be holder of clinical degree (nursing or MD/MBChB) with advanced university degree in Public Health, Nutrition or Social Science. Knowledge of public health, nutrition and HIV in humanitarian emergencies, outbreak response and development context and years of relevant experiences.

The incumbent plays a key role in planning, organizing, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of UNHCR’s public health programmes in Rhino camp, Imvepi, Lobule and Kiryandongo. He/she will be responsible for other staff in the health and nutrition sector including undertaking regular field trips in order to monitor and support the implementation of health activities to refugees; monitor refugee access to health services and the impact on the national systems in different refugee settlements, ensure feedback relating to key public health data is provided by health partners, relevant UN agencies, Ministry of Health at local level; develop project activities in epidemic preparedness and responses, primary health care, sexual reproductive health, HIV and AIDS, nutrition, clinical management of rape, mental health, communicable and non-communicable disease programming to address identified needs. This will be done in consultation with Ministry of Health authorities, NGO partners in the health sector and through liaison with other sectors within UNHCR to ensure a multi-sectoral approach. Experience in dealing with multiple crisis is an asset. This position is the main liaison with the Ministry of Health in in West Nile settlements which involves attending district health team meetings, refugee health coordination meeting with District Health Offices on a regular basis to ensure health and nutrition services are integrated into national and district health systems, liaising with international and national health partners, donors, and other UN agencies as a key member of the UNHCR Health Unit. He/she will be responsible to enforce global, national health service standards in line with ministry of health stewardship including ensuring services standards are maintained in all refugee settlements and among health workers. The functions of this position cannot be performed on teleworking/telecommuting.

Living And Working Condition

Arua is a family duty station where accommodations are available although finding reasonable quality accommodation is a challenge and price arising due to number of NGOs presence. There are several local supermarkets, with limited educational services such as international schools do not exist in Arua. International schools are available in Kampala or Entebbe. only basic medical services are available, and if necessary, further medical referral to Kampala. There are several banks and ATM available in Arua. Utilities (water and electricity) are available, though for electricity, there is regular power cut. Safe public transports in Arua are rare. There are few vehicles/ taxis. Professional staff either find accommodation nearby the office and walk, or they either rent or buy private second-hand vehicle. Most travels between Kampala and Arua are undertaken by road (470 Kms). There are commercial flights between Arua and Entebbe, but the airlines are not UNDSS cleared.

Closing Date

¿The closing date of the job opening is 10 August 2022

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