Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Associate 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 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. S/he has close contacts with internal and external stakeholders such as government counterparts, UN Agencies and embassies/donors.

The Associate 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 be expected to have major responsibilities for nutrition and MHPSS responses.    The incumbent 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 Associate Public Health Officer is normally supervised by a Senior Public Health Officer or in the absence of such a position, by the 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

- In the absence of more senior public health staff, co-ordinate 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 and Public Health Section in HQ, 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.

- 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 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 robust and timely 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.

- Make recommendations on the overall strategy and focus of public health and nutrition programmes within the AOR, including ensuring public health strategic approaches are developed in a multi-sectoral and co-ordinated manner. 

- Provide up to date assessments and identification of needs for public health strategies, recognise and support the contributions of governments and other actors align with and support national health system as much as possible; 

- 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, HIV  and viral hepatitis, non-communicable diseases including mental health;  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, adolescents and the elderly.

- Support the development and 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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 and highlight divergence from internationally accepted standards.

- 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.

- Support 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. 

- Support 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.

- Prepare 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 P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year 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 

Epidemiology

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

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

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

FO-Complex field emergency operations

MD-Reproductive Health

PH- Public Health Epidemiology

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.

Desired Candidate Profile 

In consideration of the above responsibilities, the incumbent must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of UNHCR's policies, principles and responses in Public Health, mental health and psychosocial support, noncommunicable diseases and Nutrition and knowledge of WaSH and epidemiological emergency management including coordination, planning, technical and formative supervision, response strategy, reporting and technical working tools. In addition, he/she must have experience in coordinating with all Government, RB and HQ technical sections (Public Health, Nutrition, WaSH and Shelter) in a professional manner. Burundi being a french speaking country, He/she must have excellent writing skills in French to ensure quality communication with all stakeholders. The knowledge of English is an added value.  

Experience in the preparation of concept notes and  project proposals for UNHCR public health fundraising, briefing notes and PowerPoint presentations for external senior management meetings is highly desirable. 

The incumbent must have a thorough knowledge of UNHCR's mandate and solutions to adequately supervise the Health, Nutrition and Wash unit and have proven knowledge and experience in sourcing and implementing additional public health funds for the improvement of the health of refugees and returnees.

Operational experience in responses to refugees and asylum seekers, returnees, and IDPs and coordination skills are mandatory and previous work experience in Burundi is an asset. The incumbent must have political vision and sufficient diplomatic skills and be able to liaise and coordinate with a variety of internal and external partners in Burundi and abroad. He/she will need to be highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to work under pressure and prioritize multiple tasks. He/she must demonstrate a high degree of initiative, work independently with minimum supervision, and work effectively and respectfully within and across teams in the public health care environment. He/she must possess strong interpersonal, written and communication skills. A proven track record of professionalism and integrity, and good collaboration with partners are essential.

The incumbent must have a Doctor of Medicine degree and a Master's degree in public health.

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

French

,

Desired languages

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

https://www.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Camp-based refugees have free access to primary and secondary health care through health facilities in the camps and tertiary health care by means of referrals provided by GVC, the health partner. A referral system to district hospitals (level II) and Bujumbura (level III) is in place for cases needing specialized care that cannot be supported in the camps. Invoices are paid by the partner who has agreements with reference hospitals. Members of the neighboring host communities also have access to health facilities and services in the camps. However, poor lighting in these facilities is one of the major gaps to be addressed in 2023. The other gap is limited access to mental health and psychosocial support services, which will also be addressed.

Unlike refugees in camps, urban refugees do not have access to free health care for children under five and for pregnant women. This is because refugees are not eligible for the Burundi national health insurance scheme available only to Burundian citizens. In 2023, advocacy to include refugees in the national health system will remain a major priority for UNHCR.

The incumbent of the post will be involved in the coordination and management of health-related projects/activities covering all the people of concern to UNHCR Burundi, focusing a lot on the coordination mechanisms among actors, internally and externally, and providing guidance to colleagues and partners on the way to manage these activities.

Living and Working Conditions:

In general, the socio-economic situation in the country remains very weak because Burundi has been in recession since 2015. Rising unemployment and the collapse of basic social services have led to a sharp deterioration in living conditions, and the population is sinking deeper into poverty. With a newly elected government and earlier than scheduled inauguration of the President, the country, donors, and humanitarian community are adjusting to these changes and observing the outcomes. Since 2017 UNHCR Burundi operation has been engaged in the facilitation of the voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees from Tanzania. In 2020 the operation was faced with a dramatic increase in the return of Burundian refugees from Rwanda, DRC, and other countries in the region and further afield. Bujumbura's working and living conditions are generally a,t an acceptable standard. The medical facilities are low, and there is, in general lack of medications. However UN staff have access to UN Clinic established under UN Country Team governance. This clinic has expanded to provide appropriate Covid-19 response. Housing is of a good standard and available at a reasonable rate. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in abundance. However, imported goods may not be easily available and if available, they are quite expensive. There are international commercial and humanitarian flights operating from Bujumbura international airport. In order to enter the country, there is a need to obtain a special entry authorization at least 2-3 weeks ahead of time. Bujumbura is a family duty station while in the field is still remains non-familly duty station. UN Travel by road within Burundi is restricted to the hours from 08:00 to 17:00 and must follow MOSS compliance and any other security limitations. An escort is mandatory to proceed to the airport from 21:00 to 06:00. When traveling within Burundi, staff on official duty are required to do mandatory radio checks while on the road and to make contact with the local/regional UN Security Officer on arrival at UN hub/regional locations.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Epidemiology - Other

Work Experience

Public Health

Competencies

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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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Compendium 

Add.2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2022 - Part B