Mozambique: Public Health Delegate

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 190 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is” to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. Mozambique Context Cyclone Idai made landfall on the evening of 15 March 2019 in the port city of Beira located in Sofala Province of Central Mozambique. The cyclone wreaked havoc on Beira and surrounding areas resulting damage and destruction to shelter and settlements, health and WASH facilities as well as loss of life and injury. On 19 March 2019, the Mozambican government declared a national emergency and has formally requested international assistance. The cyclone’s path resulted in massive destruction in Chinde district located in Zambézia province and Manica and Inhambane provinces.

Job Purpose

Health services are disrupted, leaving the population at risk for marked deterioration in health status due to pre-existing or newly acquired illnesses. The risk of diarrhoea diseases remains high in the districts affected by the cyclone due to the interruption in the water and hygiene infrastructure. Malaria is endemic in Mozambique with a peak in the rainy season from December to April. The position holder will be providing technical public health leadership to the Public Health in component of the IFRC Emergency Appeal which seeks to address the immediate and long-term risks to the health of affected populations through the delivery of services in the following areas; First Aid, Health promotion and Epidemic prevention and control as well as capacity building and technical guidance of the Mozambique Red Cross(CVM).

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Epidemic prevention, Preparedness and control

• Together with local counterpart/s develop a public health response plan that balances context, capacity and broader operational goals.
• Take a strategic approach to public health intervention design in order to successfully plan for and incorporate transitions to early recovery/long term recovery and exit.
• Work closely with RCRC movement to mobile first aid/surgical teams, field clinics and field hospitals to ensure a cohesive and coordinated approach to emergency health as a whole.
• Draw upon sector and technical knowledge to provide contextual options to mitigate specific public health risks and address needs, particularly where public health is at the core of an operation.
• Act as a technical focal point for meetings, planning and reporting.
• Work closely with local counterparts, and operational team members such as logistics, HR, finance and information management to ensure that response plans and transitional/recovery programming have evidence based, contextual and relevant Public Health components.
• Provide technical support to Mozambique RC to implement the operations outlined in the Emergency plan of action. These include community engagement activities (risk communication, social mobilization and Health promotion), disease surveillance. Monitor epidemiological data, health indicators, disasters and disease patterns for analysis and early detection of disease epidemic potentials. Facilitate the identification of necessary readiness and response actions to be taken where necessary

Knowledge management and organisational learning

• Identify and document god practices on emergency Health preparedness and response
• Compile essential technical guidelines, references, reports and case studies on (Cholera, malaria and other diseases of epidemic potential) emergency health preparedness and response and made them available through Federation platforms to support Mozambique response to ongoing epidemic outbreaks in that Country.
• Analyze, systematize, and disseminate evidence-based technical information and knowledge and good practices on cholera, Malaria and other disease outbreak response to the Mozambique RC staff and volunteers.

Coordination and collaboration

• Work closely with other sectors undertake emergency needs assessments on the public health technical areas of the emergency response.
• Working with the CEA teams engage with the community through local health committees and seek feedback on the community’s perception of health services, promoting community involvement in all aspects of health programming.
• Participate in and work with relevant emergency health networks and coordination mechanisms with a view of improving health interventions in the operation, as well as strengthening effective and coordinated health response.
• Coordinate with Mozambique RC Health Program Coordinator, RDRT, and technical teams to support the ongoing operation.
• Support coordination of Mozambique RC with IFRC health regional technical teams and local partners to ensure alignment with the overall objectives of the response.
• Represent the IFRC in technical meetings, conferences, seminars and forums.
• Strengthen the communication, cooperation and coordination with other partners including ICRC.

Capacity building

Take a capacity building approach to working with the Mozambique RC, providing training, technical support, mentoring and dissemination as part of emergency response and recovery activities Education

• Degree level in health or Social Sciences
• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or other relevant Public health subject
• IFRC Training Course on PHiE, CBHFA or equivalent knowledge and experience.

Experience

• Not less than 3 years of progressive experience in a medical, community Health or Public Health Position
• Experience in Health Emergency response
• Experience in field epidemiology and or disease surveillance.
• Experience in training of health personal and capacity building
• Experience in social mobilization

Knowledge, skills and languages

• Knowledge of good practices in participatory methodology, program planning and design, monitoring and evaluation, learning, and accountability

• Good organizational skills

• Excellent analytic and computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint)

• Knowledge of STATA, Epi-info, SPSS or equivalent statistical analysis software

• Strong workshop facilitation skills

• Skilled in training, mentoring and coaching individuals and groups, as appropriate

• Capable of influencing and obtaining cooperation of individuals not under supervisory control, as a member of multinational team, and managing remote relationships to achieve results

• Highly motivated, self-starter able to lead a process, engage others and create ownership

• Flexible and willing to deal with ambiguity, changes and challenges

• Able to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines

• Willing to travel and operate in a demanding working environment

• Fluent spoken and written Portuguese or Spanish

• Fluent spoken and written English

Competencies and values

• RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY

• INTEGRITY

• COMMUNICATION

• NATIONAL SOCIETY and CUSTOMER RELATIONS

• BUILDING TRUST

Comments

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.

https://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=32735