Public Health Officer UNHCR TANZANIA

OPERATIONAL CONTEXT

Current Situation

Due to the recent tensions in Burundi, refugee movements into Tanzania dramatically increased in the recent months, with most originating from various locations in Burundi such as Nyazalake, Gitega and Bujumbura, arriving with almost no belongings and often in poor health. As of 30 of October 2015, close to 100,000 Burundian refugees, had been registered. UNHCR and its partners are closely coordinating with the Government of Tanzania, particularly the Refugee Services Department, the Ministry of Home Affairs and other Government departments, including Immigration, Border Management and Control and the Office of the Prime Minister at the national level. Owing to the Government of Tanzania¿s open border policy almost all refugees fleeing Burundi benefited from unrestricted access and asylum on a prima facie basis. The number of new arrivals has now, however, reached such a volume that Nyarugusu refugee camp has exceeded its capacity. As a result two new campsites have been identified in Nduta and Mtendeli and are under initial phase of development. A Relocation Plan has been approved to relocate 50.000 refugees from Nyarugusu camp to the two new campsites commencing October 2015 in preparation to mitigate the risks of the approaching rainy season. The on-going situation in Burundi continues to generate new arrivals, some of whom have experienced sexual assaults or rape. There are also separated and unaccompanied children, as well as persons with connections to security or military forces, for which screening and separation must be insisted. ,The impending change in weather condition necessitates the urgent relocation of refugees living in flood-prone areas of Nyarugusu.

Desirable Attributes

Interpersonal Skills: Given the complex nature of the operation, the incumbent needs to be a dynamic team player, with demonstrated commitment to gender equality. Good planning, managerial, leadership skills and maturity in communication and decision making are essential attributes. The incumbent should have a profile which includes field experience and working in a diverse team. Good writing and language skills in English are required. Qualified and experienced female and male candidates are sought. Travel on monitoring, training and other missions will be undertaken.

Working and Living Conditions

UN Security Level-2 is currently in place, which implies that official and private road travel by staff is limited as per the MOSS and all official missions in this region should not begin before 07:00 and be in a secure location no later than 18:30. Police escorts are required as per MOSS for travel by road between Kibondo to Kasulu. Security escort is not required for travel from Kasulu to Kigoma Town. Road transport from Kibondo to Kigoma requires armed police escort.

Security Considerations

UN Security Level-2 is currently in place, which implies that official and private road travel by staff is limited as per the MOSS and all official missions in this region should not begin before 07:00 and be in a secure location no later than 18:30. Police escorts are required as per MOSS for travel by road between Kibondo to Kasulu. Security escort is not required for travel from Kasulu to Kigoma Town. Road transport from Kibondo to Kigoma requires armed police escort.

Additional Factors

Although Kibondo appears as a Family Duty Station as per ICSC Classification of Duty stations it is NOT a place that can accommodate a family in good conditions. Health and educational facilities are not available and housing options very limited.

JOB DESCRIPTION

DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Direct supervision and guidance is received from the Head of Sub-Office and overall supervision from the Deputy Representative. Close functional linkages and technical guidance will be established with the Senior Regional Public Health Officer and the Public Health Section in Geneva.

In order to ensure wider reach out to the refugee and ensure their close involvement in the delivery and management of health services, the incumbent will need to establish an appropriate consultative and monitoring framework which would draw the experience and expertise of a wide range of actors both internally and externally.

The incumbent of the position will oversee and supervise the Public Health programmes in Kibondo and Kasulu, and provide strong technical guidance to partners, monitor and evaluate the programme and ensure and lead monthly health coordination meetings. The incumbent will demonstrate strong representational, networking and negotiation skills with internal and external stakeholders such as the Government counterparts, UN Agencies and Embassies.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

• The Primary Health Care strategy - focusing on preventive and basic curative health, including mental health, reproductive health, HIV and nutritional components ¿ is prioritized and supported.
• The programming exercise to draw proposals and budgets related to public health, HIV, and nutrition is supported
• There is a viable standard Health Information System in place for data collection, analysis and interpretation to serve as evidence base for planning and interventions.
• Monthly health coordination meetings are conducted with all relevant partners
  Responsibility
• Support the Ministry of Health with the coordination and response to refugee health care.
• Provide technical assistance to UNHCR sub/field offices and implementing partners in development, integration and mainstreaming of appropriate and cost-effective public health programmes.
• Work in a multi-sectoral and co-ordinated approach in co-operation with governments, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other humanitarian partners.
• 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.
• Promote basic health education for populations of concern and train refugee health workers (e.g. community health workers, peer educators, counsellors, etc.).
• Work towards strengthening local structures and capacities; ensure strong linkages among health, nutrition, food security and HIV with protection and human rights.
• Improve coordination among partners and participate in capacity building efforts.
• Use community-based approaches, including clear involvement of refugees in the public health and nutritional programmes.
• Work with others in UNHCR to advocate for access to refugees, returnees and other persons of concern to local health, reproductive health (RH) and HIV/AIDS services and lobby for inclusion of refugees, returnees and other persons of concern as a specific group in government policies related to health, RH and HIV.
• Promote information sharing on all aspects related to refugee health and HIV/AIDS.
• Ensure regular update and share information within UNHCR as well as with relevant government, UN and NGO counterparts and donor communities.
  Authority
• Provide guidance on the overall strategy and focus of public health programmes in the operation.
• Make recommendations to Senior Management on public health and nutrition programmes and services concerning refugees.
• ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
• A clinical background (nurse or MD) with postgraduate training in Public Health.
• Minimum 7 years of previous job experience relevant to the function and in national/multinational organizations.
• Knowledge of public health, nutrition and HIV in humanitarian emergencies.
• Very good computer skills.
• Excellent knowledge English.
• DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Experience, advance training, balance and combined knowledge in different subjects: e.g. public health, reproductive health.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please apply through the UNHCR website at http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c491.html under "Employment" then "Current Vacancies"