Job Title: National Program Officer – Ebola Response (UN Jobs)
Organisation: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Reference No: CFA/UG/004 /2022
About US:
Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment.
IOM supports the Ministry of Health to strengthen health service capacity at the border points to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to the infectious diseases and other public health threads. IOM provides; integrated surveillance and disease control training for the frontline health staff working in border areas, necessary medical and health commodities for the border posts, analyses and reports on population mobility trends in priority health zones to inform preparedness efforts, as well as risk communication assistance to sensitize cross border population and neighbouring communities. IOM is an active partner of the Ministry of Health in supporting Point of Entry Surveillance during outbreaks, including the current Ebola outbreak.
Job Summary: Under the direct supervision of the National Migration Health Coordinator, and overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) the successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for the strengthening implementation, of Ebola response and preparedness-related activities in the geographic area of concern.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support the implementation of all preparedness and response activities at IOM supported POE/POCs to ensure quality control and quality assurance is mainstreamed in field-level coordination and implementation of planned activities, based on national SOPs. Undertake regular field visits to monitor and provide recommendations for improving the quality of supervision by the Field Assistants and performance monitoring, such as reviewing daily reports of alerts and ensuring IOM attendance at subnational coordination forums.
- Review POE/POC health surveillance data on a daily basis to identify trends and vulnerabilities linked to provision of services and population mobility, make recommendations for improvement, and ensure follow up action is instituted.
- Review POC/POE data outputs for quality, timeliness, completeness, and provide feedback and follow-up to ensure data quality.
- Coordinate activities with Emergency Operations Center (EOC) partners including: MOH response coordinators, Incident Commander Emergency operation Centre, National Task force, district task force, WHO Incident managers, other UN agencies, and other MOH departments; thereby ensuring IOM technical input, presence and visibility in coordination forums.
- Provide guidance and input to points of entry working group, MOH Surveillance pillar presentations at the National Task force, district Emergency Operations Center and other coordination forums, and other forums, regarding technical outputs of POE/POCs.
- Deliver in close coordination with surveillance Pillar and PoE working group training and capacity building of health and non-health stakeholder at POE/POCs and ensure correct implementation of relevant case definitions and SOPs.
- Assists MOH at National and sub-national/district level to develop contingency preparedness and response plans for POE/POCs in coordination with PoE working group and Surveillance teams. Plan and conduct simulation training exercises for the contingency plans.
- Cross-border coordination: facilitate and follow-up provincial surveillance cross-border coordination meetings and activities.
- Conduct population mobility mapping (PMM) and, together with Information Management teams, contribute to the production of interactive maps on mobility, affected areas, POE/POCs and to prioritize POE/POC sites. Establish new POE/POC sites and downgrade or replace sites as needed.
- Dissemination of information (POE/POC, alerts, PMM, FMP, and other findings) once approved by IOM Uganda to relevant coordination fora and partners.
- Work closely with IOM Project Officer/Senior Field Assistant and logistics staff to ensure that POE/POC structures are established and maintained in line with national guidelines and shortages in infection prevention and control (IPC) equipment are anticipated and mitigated.
- Follow-up on IOM project field targets, and any applicable Monitoring & Evaluation indicators.
- Provide daily updates and weekly reports including alert report and sitreps ad updates to the mission, RO, Global office
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Hold a Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with a bachelor’s health related field and five years of relevant professional experience; or a Medical doctor with a university degree in epidemiology or public health or a related field from an accredited institution with a minimum of 5 years of experience in supporting the district or national health surveillance program.
- Operational and field experience in outbreak preparedness and response, in public health, epidemiology, and risk communication interventions.
- Knowledge of Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) measures for outbreak response and preparedness.
- Knowledge of risk communication is an advantage.
- Operational and field experience in migration, refugee and displaced persons’ health-related issues, programme development, including experience in evaluating health programs and protocols.
- Experience in health programming, including programme conceptualization, analysis and implementation; resource mobilisation.
- Knowledge of structures and functions of national and international health agencies, donors and organizations.
- Familiarity with the health sector in the African region, with Uganda experience an advantage.
- Languages: Fluency in English and working knowledge of French is required. Working knowledge of local dialects in Uganda is an advantage.
Values – The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following three values:
- Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
- Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
- Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3
- Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
- Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
- Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
- Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
- Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
Managerial Competencies1 – behavioural indicators level 3
- Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
- Empowering others and building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
- Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
How to Apply:
All interested applicants may send their applications to hruganda@iom.int not. Reference Number and Position Title (CFA/UG/004/2022 – National Program Officer – Ebola Response Consultant) should be specified in the SUBJECT field.
NB: Applications from qualified female candidates are especially encouraged. Only short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.
Deadline: 2nd November 2022