Switzerland: Senior Health Officer

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 humanitarian organization, with a membership of 190 National Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement). In this connection, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles: humanity; impartiality; neutrality; independence; voluntary service; unity; and universality. 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 IFRC’s Headquarters are based in Geneva, with regional and country offices located throughout the world. The IFRC is led by the Secretary General, and the Headquarters are organized into three main divisions: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programmes and Operations; and (iii) Management.
The Management Division is in turn organized into three Departments: Finance and Administration; Human Resources; and Information Technology, each of them led by a Director.
This position is based in the Leadership Unit of the Human Resources Department, and reports to the Director of Human Resources. The incumbent will be required to work closely with managers, staff, medical professionals and relevant National Society focal points on staff health issues in stable and emergency environments.

Job Purpose

Under the leadership and overall guidance of the Director of Human Resources, the Senior Health Officer provides professional health management services and advice to IFRC staff throughout the employee lifecycle. The incumbent: (i) undertakes initiatives to ensure that staff health and wellbeing are integrated throughout daily work; (ii) keeps National Society focal points informed of relevant health and wellbeing developments in the field and related IFRC practices; (iii) monitors the work and observations of the Psychosocial Support Programme (PSP) Team, altering management of this work stream in response to prevailing trends; (iv) offers support to colleagues, ensuring that duty of care remains a priority; (v) ensures the availability of adequate support services and timely referrals, in particular for pre- and post-deployments; and (vi) maintains oversight of emergency operational needs and preparedness from a staff health perspective, and keeps management informed accordingly.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Play a lead role and/or advise on the development and implementation of health-related policies, regulations and guidelines

• Lead the development of policies, regulations and guidelines on staff health related issues, such as vaccinations, medical evacuation procedures, malaria prevention, and psychosocial support, providing technical inputs and ensuring alignment with IFRC practices.
• Provide technical input for the review of international health insurance plans; advise on national insurance plans, as requested; and ensure that emergency assistance plans for staff, such as for medical evacuation, are in place and fit for purpose.
• Ensure proper implementation of the Staff Health Policy in all regions and country offices; work with these offices on developing, implementing and monitoring other preventive measures, initiatives and systems aimed at maintaining and improving staff health and wellbeing; and share lessons, experiences and creative initiatives with other offices.
• Conduct field visits to review staff health activities and procedures, especially in emergency operations. Make referrals to services, coordinate programmes and identify local and regional resources.
• Serve as focal point for HIV in the Workplace.
• Attend workshops and conferences related to staff health, representing IFRC and participating in training activities.
• Liaise with professional staff health colleagues as well as exchange ideas and share resources, where possible.
• Maintain knowledge of current events that may affect staff health at the IFRC.

Advise on, and monitor, staff health issues

• Provide health briefings with country-specific information as well as provide travel health advice.
• Liaise with regional and country focal points to understand issues and localized developments, such as environmental hazards, that may affect staff health and wellbeing; and recommend, to the extent possible, the most appropriate course of action.
• Facilitate and oversee the Psychosocial Support Programme (PSP), together with the PSP coordinator.
• Identify staff members who may need additional support and recommend external services.
• Provide National Societies and their health advisors with advice on their staff health work and programmes.

Manage and improve processes

• Ensure that the medical clearance process is followed and that all staff members are medically cleared for assignments.
• Follow up on any illness contracted during assignment; monitor recovery; review actions taken; and make suggestions to improve processes.
• Ensure support to staff identified as vulnerable or needing extra support.
• Maintain confidential health statistics on staff health activities and medical files for all staff.
• Act as the focal point for co-ordinating any actions – for example, hospitalization and medical evacuations.
• Available on call in case of emergencies 24/7.
• Explore the integration of IT tools and systems to facilitate work and to ensure data integrity and confidentiality.
• Track issues as well as develop and monitor key performance indicators and submit regular reports.

Education

Required:

• A registered nurse with public health/travel health background.

Preferred:

• Tropical Medicine course.

Experience

Required:

• Five years of experience in health work within an international organisation, including at least two years in the field/humanitarian settings.
• Experience dealing with acutely ill patients in a medical setting.
• Experience with international medical evacuation companies and processes.

Preferred:

• Experience as a first responder or with medical intake.

Knowledge, skills and languages

Required:

• Ability to build confidential and professional relationship with clients.

• Strong organisational skills.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to network effectively.

• Confirmed administrative skills.

• Knowledge of medical IT tools and systems.

• Fluent written and spoken English

Preferred:

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

Competencies and values

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

Please submit your application to IFRCjobs