ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:
The Senior Public Officer will ensure that UNHCR¿s health programmes meet minimum international UNHCR and international standards. The incumbent plays a crucial role in programme coordination, planning, and monitoring including data analysis and evaluation, capacity-building of UNHCR personnel and partners, and advocacy, information and communication on public health-related issues.
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT:
To ensure, in close co-ordination with other humanitarian actors, 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 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 enable the identification of gaps in programme implementation and standards, and to further promote evidence-based activities and guidance.
To facilitate a country-level coordination of health and nutrition actors, so that health and nutrition programme planning and implementation is 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 Health and Nutrition Coordinators to take a lead role in co-ordinating Health and Nutrition 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 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 health and nutrition programmes.
Represent UNHCR in national for a concerning refugee health and nutrition.
Update and disseminate information materials on health and nutrition 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.
Ensure participant/input in periodic joint assessment mission including food, health, nutrition etc.. with other UN agencies.
To 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 contingency plans for potential epidemics, refugee and returnee movements.
To monitor and evaluate country-level 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.
Active involvement in all aspects of programme monitoring and evaluation with a main emphasis on checking levels of implementation and impact vis-à-vis resource inputs to measure cost-effectiveness and re-orient the programme as appropriate.
Monitor technical and financial aspects of the health and nutrition 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 health and nutrition 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
To 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 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 health--including reproductive health and HIV/AIDS--and nutrition.
Support 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.
Perform other duties as required
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Advanced University Degree in medicine or nursing with at least Masters-level qualifications in public health; Training / experience in nutrition; infectious diseases/tropical medicine/community medicine/anthropology/other relevant skills an advantage.
Minimum 10 years of previous job experience relevant to the function;
Fluency in English.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:
Computer literate
Good Communication
International experience
Knowledge of French
For details on how to apply for this vacancy, please consult the UNHCR website at www.unhcr.org. – Employment – Career Opportunities – International Professional Category. UNHCR aims for workforce diversity. Women are encouraged to apply for positions Closing date for receipt of applications: 22 November 2011
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