Cameroon: Public Health Officer (P-3)

OPERATIONAL CONTEXT

Current Situation

The State of Emergency declared on May 14 2013, by the Nigerian Government in the three States; Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, where violence by the Islamic Sect, Boko Haram were more notably recurrent, followed by air raids made on Boko Haram positions particularly in the Borno State, situated close to the Far North region of Cameroon, led to an influx of Nigerian refugees into Cameroon. This caused about 12,500 Nigerians to flee towards the Far North region of Cameron in successive waves between May 2013 and May 2014, and particularly to the Mayo Tsanaga, Mayo Sava and Logone and Chari Divisions. Out of this number, about 7,300 were verified and registered by UNHCR and about 3,182 out of those verified were transferred to the Minawao camp.

From June 2014 to April 12, 2015, with the intensification of combats between the Nigerian army and the Boko Haram sect on Nigerian territory, and the takeover by Boko Haram of all villages situated along the Cameroonian border in the Far North Region, stretching from Baga to Ashigashia, the number of Nigerian refugees rose from 12,500 to almost 74,000 according to local authorities, out of the number 42,242 persons were already verified and registered by UNHCR with 33,596 already transferred to Minawao camp.

So far, UNHCR with his respective partners and other UN Agency provide the response in the area of shelter in the Minawao Camp. A recent assessment has also shown a limited number of shelters in the camps. Therefore, currently there is an urgent need to strengthen all areas covered in shelter activities.

Desirable Attributes

• 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 communication and computer skills;
• Excellent knowledge of French and the English language

Working and Living Conditions

Logistical challenges due to the security situation, long distances to cover and poor road conditions in some areas exist as well. The Security situation is rather precarious at the moment and thus staff who have experienced critical stress as a result of earlier security incidents or who have indicated their anxiety about insecure environments should have a discussion with the Career Management Officer or the Staff Welfare Section prior to applying. The Cameroonian security forces guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers, refugees and property assigned to the Operation

Security Considerations

For every displacement, UNHCR Missions are strictly submitted to the respect of security instructions and are accompanied by military escorts. The Far North Region is classified under level 3 (moderate) except the Nigerian border area which is classified under level 4 (important) UNHCR staffs are regularly works along this 30 km strip (classified under level 4) along the Nigeria border in the Far North Region (Mayo Tsanaga, Mayo Sava, Logone and Chari) for the activities of frontier monitoring, verification, pre-registration and transfer of the refugees to the camp.

Additional Factors

Cameroon has three international airports namely Yaounde Nsimalen Airport, Douala international Airport and Garoua international Airport. These are the main airports of entry into the country but other multiple entry points by sea and land exist around the country. Except citizen of Chad and Mali, every visitor to Cameroon requires an entry visa before travel.Ac

JOB DESCRIPTION

DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Direct supervision and guidance is received from Head of Sub-Office. 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 the area of responsibility (AOR), 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

Accountability

• Support the prioritization of the Primary Health Care strategy focusing on preventive and basic curative health, including mental health, reproductive health, HIV and nutritional components.
• Support in the programming exercise to draw proposals and budgets related to public health, HIV, and nutrition
• 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, counselors, etc.).
• Work towards strenghtening local structures and capacities; ensure strong linkages among health, nutrition, food security and HIV with protection and human rigths.
• 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 nutrition issues concerning persons of concern.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• A clinical background (nurse or MD) with postgraduate training in Public Health.
• Minimum 8 years (6 years with Advanced University degree or for MD) 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 communication and computer skills.
• Excellent knowledge of the English and French language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Experience, advance training, balance and combined knowledge in health-related subjects: e.g. public health, reproductive health, etc.

Please apply through the UNHCR website at http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c491.html under "current vacancies".