Associate Public Health Officer - Nob - 10019842 ( 1 Position) - Unhcr - Beirut, Lebanon

There are currently over 1 million Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR in Lebanon, which makes Lebanon the highest refugee-hosting country per capita in the world. There are no approved camps in the country and refugees are spread over 1,750 localities. The refugee response is led by the Government and local actors, supported by the international community. As the designated lead agency in the refugee response, UNHCR has established a sector-based structure in Beirut and in the field to support the Government. The structure brings together 13 UN agencies, 60 national and international NGO partners in identifying and agreeing on the strategic priorities to address the needs of Syrian refugees and other affected populations. The Lebanon national response falls under the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP), whereby UNHCR guides the refugee response while UNDP facilitates the resilience and stabilization component. Through inter-agency coordination mechanisms, 9 sectors have been established in Lebanon, with UNHCR leading or co-leading the Protection, Basic Assistance, Shelter, and Health sectors. UNHCR is also providing information management support to all. The Office has grown substantially in the past years and now has around 600 staff.  Aside from the Branch Office in the capital city of Beirut, UNHCR has two sub-offices in Zahle and Tripoli and two field offices in Mt Lebanon, Tyr (South), and one field unit in Qobayat under the Tripoli Sub-Office. The Associate Health Officer is responsible for ensuring the optimum provision of public health services to the refugee population with a specific focus on primary health care and access to HIV/AIDS services. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for the monitoring of access to health services and ensuring that refugees have accurate and updated information on health services available. He/she will liaise and coordinate closely with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to ensure and increase the integration and sustainability of health services for refugees to avoid the maintenance of parallel systems run by NGOs. The incumbent works under the technical supervision of the Senior Public Health Officer and is part of the Public Health Unit (PHU). The incumbent works closely with the other UNHCR colleagues from protection, programme, resettlement, public information and external relations. Accountability (key results that will be achieved) UNHCR’s health programmes in the country operation meet minimum UNHCR and international standards. The capacity through coaching and mentoring of colleagues and partners including governmental and nongovernmental partners is developed. Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities. Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results) Ensure the public health services provided to are complying with the required national and international standards. Ensure implementation of appropriate country protocols and guidance and adherence to UNHCR specific guidance for public health programming. Provide technical contributions during planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation process in the UNHCR program cycle. Participate in advocacy, information sharing and communication in reference to the health situation of populations of concern, among the UNHCR, the government, partners, donors and other agencies. Ensure mass information dissemination to refugees in Arabic to raise awareness on access to primary and secondary healthcare. Develop and update information brochures that explain clearly the available health services and the referral system. Develop mass information and health promotion material for refugees on key public health issues. Develop messaging for refugees in response to important events such as mass vaccination days. Support protection colleagues to assess and enhance the role of the Refugee Outreach Volunteers in the training and information sharing on services and assistance provided by UNHCR and partners on access to healthcare. Ensure smooth implementation of UNHCR programme supporting institutional strengthening of the MoPH in coordination with MoPH, UN and NGO partners and UNHCR health colleagues in field offices. Ensure coordination of institutional strengthening programme with existing UNHCR programmes supporting access to primary health care as well as those of other partners and other MoPH initiatives such as Universal Health Care. Participate in the Technical and Steering Committees meetings. Conduct field monitoring and verification visits with MoPH and partners. Ensure integration of refugees within infectious diseases programmes including TB, HIV and leishmaniosis. Coordinate closely with the MoPH National Aids and National TB Programmes. Participate in the Joint UN Team on Aids (JUNTA) meetings and ensure refugees health and protection needs are addresses in national plans. Orient refugees diagnosed with HIV/TB/ leishmaniosis to the appropriate services. Identify gaps for HIV and STIs for assistance and care for Refugees. Follow up on leishmaniosis treatment for refugees in 8 OPD Governmental centers. Ensure harmonizing of treatment and care for patients and follow up on agreement with treating physicians, MoPH and implementing partners. Act as focal person for all reproductive health (RH) issues including SGBV and vaccination issues. Participate in the RH working group meetings. Follow up on family planning at the PHC centers and birth spacing initiatives with UNFPA and partners. Monitor the trend of home deliveries and understand the reason and the access to safe deliveries. Monitor vaccination activities at UNHCR reception centers and borders. Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results) Liaise with UN, humanitarian partners and government (MOPH). Enforce technical strategies, protocols and guidelines in Public Health. Represent UNHCR in meetings and monitoring of health projects.