Provincial Malaria Officer

Job Title: Provincial Malaria Officer

Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host entity: WHO

Assignment country: Lao People's Democratic Republic

Expected start date: 28/08/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Savannakhet

Details

Mission and objectives

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on 7 April 1948 as the directing and coordinating authority in global public health within the United Nations system. The objectives of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Missions of WHO are to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic joined WHO on 17 May 1950, when it was one of the Associate States of the French Union. The Republic became independent when French Indochina was dissolved in 1954. The Lao People's Democratic Republic was covered by the WHO Area Representative Office in Saigon, Viet Nam from 1956 to 1 January 1968, when the WHO Representative Office in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic was established. Before the establishment, the WHO Country Liaison Office was administered by the WHO Representative Office in Saigon. A WHO Country Liaison Office was first established in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 1962, and it was later expanded into a WHO Representative Office in 1968. The early days were historically challenging for the health sector, but WHO built a strong partnership with the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Ministry of Health, based on mutual trust. Over the years, the scale and scope of WHO partnerships have grown exponentially. From fewer than 20 staff when WHO opened its first office, to the more than 50 international and national staff members and more than 100 non staff members, WHO maintained continuity and uninterrupted presence as the country underwent political and economic changes.

Context

The International UN Volunteer, Provincial Malaria Officer, will work primarily with the Savannakhet Provincial Malaria Program (PAM) in the central of Lao PDR. The World Health Organization will be the host agency for the UN Volunteer and they will be expected to work closely with the National, Provincial and District level malaria programs in Savannakhet province under the direction of the WHO Malaria Technical Officers based in the Lao country office. The position will operate on a day to day basis under the Savannakhet Provincial Malaria Unit. The core roles of the position are to support these units in implementing key activities under the National Malaria Strategic Plan, including supporting disease surveillance, epidemic response, and capacity building in using data for operational decision making. The UN Volunteer will also need to support studies that monitor the efficacy of anti-malarial treatments as well as work in collaboration with the other NGOs, CSOs and UN agencies that are malaria stakeholders in this area.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the WHO Malaria Technical Officer, the UN volunteer will assist the Centre for Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology Unit of the Ministry of Health to fulfil their objectives with particular focus on supporting the implementation of the ‘Accelerator Strategies’, the therapeutic efficacy studies (TES), surveillance and epidemic response. The UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Work with the National Centre for Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (CMPE), Provincial and District Malaria offices and health facility staff to support the implementation of the innovative malaria ‘Accelerator Strategies’ in Savannakhet province; • Work with CMPE, Provincial and District Malaria offices and health facility staff to support the implementation of routine anti-malarial therapeutic efficacy studies (TES) at sentinel sites in Savannakhet province; • Coordinate with the WHO Country Office Malaria team in Vientiane and provide localised technical assistance to the Provincial and District malaria teams (PAM and DAMN) in Savannakhet Province in Central Lao, specifically to: o Effectively roll out the new national Malaria Surveillance and Response Guidelines for high burden provinces; o Improve provincial and district malaria office capacity to regularly and systematically analyse and interpret monthly malaria disease surveillance data in the malaria information system (DHIS2) and to address common programmatic issues such as commodity stock-outs, district outbreak alerts, diagnosis and treatment irregularities and reporting problems; o Assist the provincial and district malaria staff to build management and operational systems that are based on the Surveillance and Response Guidelines to target appropriate interventions at hot spot districts and hot spot health facilities within the province; • Undertake other tasks as required.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in a public health program or in a related field - Experience working in a developing country setting; - Experience working in disease surveillance and/or public health implementation is desirable.

Area(s) of expertise

Health

Driving license

-

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Medicine, Science, Public Health or another relevant associated health or scientific field;

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Knowledge Sharing • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Technological Awareness • Working in Teams

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The position will be based in Savannakhet Province. Living conditions in Savannakhet are acceptable, with relatively good road infrastructure and health facilities. Savannakhet is a relatively safe place to live in, with violent crime incidents rare. However, single females should exert vigilance if moving alone during the dark and it is best advised to move in groups. The biggest hazards relate to traffic accidents, hence utmost care should be exerted when in traffic, especially when riding a motorbike. The Savannakhet entertainment scene is still quiet and in order to avoid feeling lonely the person should be proactive in forming friendships, and hence should be ready to make the best of e.g. the UNV Buddy Programme. The weather temperature is warm even during the rainy season which starts in June and lasts until September. Temperature is lowest from November to February. All basic commodities necessities are available locally in this city.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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