Assistant Public Health Officer

  Background Maternal mortality (MM) constitutes one of the major health problems facing women worldwide with unacceptable high numbers of preventable mortality. Eighteen countries had achieved MDG 5 by 2013, including Lebanon (76% reduction in maternal mortality rate - MMR). Back in 2004, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) took several measures to look at maternal health indicators and ensure an accurate MMR. It established the “National Committee for Safe Motherhood” to document cases of maternal death and understand the circumstances leading to it as well as its direct and indirect causes. It also collected maternal and fetal mortality and stillbirths’ data from both public and private hospitals all over Lebanon. As such, the Ministry launched the National Notification System in early 2011 based on a Ministerial Memorandum issued by the General Director of the MOPH. A series of capacity development interventions were carried out to empower hospital focal points to identify mortality cases, report on these cases, prepare monthly reports and complete notification forms on maternal and neonatal mortality. Currently, the reporting between the hospitals and the MOPH is done online, and all the forms are filled on a monthly basis on an application based program with built in quality check. Under its third programme cycle (2010 – 2014) extended to 2016, and within the context of the 2016 partnership between UNFPA and MOPH, an assistant Public Health Officer will be recruited on a full time basis to provide the needed support within the PHC and statistics departments of the Ministry. The incumbent shall work and report to the head of department (statistics & PHC) and will perform the following functions: Duties and Responsibilities Coordinate the collection of morbidity and mortality related information/data in the MOPH Statistics Department through liaising with concerned departments and units; of MoPH Develop, maintain and update the hospital focal points contact list; Follow up with the hospital designated focal points on the reporting of morbidity and mortality related information/data to the MOPH, and from various departments at the Ministry; e.g. Primary Health Care and Infectious diseases department. Keep updated data on implementation of reporting system; Keep updates on the MoPH HIS reporting system. Prepare weekly summaries on achievements and progress in implementation of requested activities; Collect and analyze data, prepare and update briefs, records and other documents and reports relevant to the assigned work; Attend, as required,  any public event related to the MOPH; Perform other duties as required. Duration The assistant public health officer is expected to fulfill the above tasks over a period of one year and starting from the date of contract signature.      Qualifications and/or specialized knowledge/experience Master degree in Public Health, Epidemiology background / Biostatistics /health informatics etc. At least 2 years of relevant experience, including data entry, analysis, etc.;  Knowledge in reproductive, maternal health, neonatal, child and adolescent health issues including right based standards; Knowledge of various diseases coding systems and international disease classification. Excellent coordination, analytical and communication skills Fluency in oral and written Arabic and English essential, French is an asset Excellent computer skills including MS office, database software etc. Notice There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application processUNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status HOW TO APPLY? Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications should apply on line by submitting the following: Letter of motivation Updated CV P11 form (click to download) detailing work experience that is relevant to the vacancy requirements as indicated in the Job Description The above documents should be submitted to the following email address: info-lebanon@unfpa.org no later than August 26, 2016.   UNFPA will only be responsible to respond to those applicants submitting the required CV and P11 and in which there is further interest.