Public Health Officer-NOA (Mandera & Homabay) at World Health Organization

Description Of Duties
Under the supervision of the WHE team lead, the incumbent will:

• Assess threats to human life and health, damage to health infrastructure for primary and secondary care, the state of health referral and support systems, including cold chain, laboratory, essential drugs including reproductive health supplies, and health information systems, and the vital needs of the affected populations.
• Collaborate with national authorities and health partners to coordinate and implement public health response activities as part of the health cluster’s strategic response.
• Provide analysis of the public health risks, needs and capacities and advise on priority interventions for WHO and partners, challenges, and operational course correctors, as applicable.
• Facilitate the implementation of effective, evidence-based policies, public health programmes and interventions through all life cycles, this might include maternal and new-born health, health promotion and education, NCDs, the elderly, social determinant of health, violence and injury prevention including road safety, gender and health equity and other related areas.
• Ensure continuity of essential services including routine immunization, child health, nutrition services, sexual reproductive health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and other chronic diseases,
• Participate in outreach services in the affected populations
• During emergencies act as a first responder for immediate risk assessment an implement initial control measure.
• Conduct capacity building for health workers, community health promoters on health response
• Ensure GBV prevention and response services, provision of health services that provide family planning, maternal and new-born care, emergency obstetric and neonatal services, HIV/AIDS and STI management
• Ensure provision of mental health and psychosocial support to affected people
• Coordinate meetings with all relevant partners and incident management team, producing and circulating minutes, related decisions and tracking the latter, and developing detailed “lessons learnt” reports, recommending improvement to current and future field operations.
• Provide input to communications and information products (Sitreps, health cluster bulletins, outbreak bulletins etc.) as required.
• Perform any other related incident-specific duties,

Required Qualifications
Education (Qualifications):

• Essential: First degree in Medicine, Nursing
• Desirable: Specialized training in public health, or Epidemiology, or Disaster Management

Experience

• Essential: At least three years’ experience in implementing public health at National and sub national level with the Ministry of Health, Prior UN experience is an added advantage
• Desirable: Experience in emergency response in conflict setting, special training in Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH).

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of infectious diseases, particularly in areas critical to promoting a public health perspective and approach, such as the epidemiology of infectious diseases, prevention or control, clinical management, and important practices.
• Proven ability to coordinate and manage projects, build partnerships with multiple partners in the context of health emergencies
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multitask and produce results under pressure
• Knowledge of the UN and humanitarian systems for emergency response and Preparedness.
• Technical expertise in planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems.
• Proficiency in key computer applications. Computer abilities such as word processing, spread sheets and analytical applications.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Producing Results
• Ensuring effective use of resources
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Use Of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
• Desirable: Knowledge of Kiswahili and other local languages

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications.
• Excellent presentation skills and use of analytical applications