Infection, Prevention & Control (IPC) Technical Officer

Functional Title: Infection, Prevention & Control (IPC) Technical Officer
Classified Grade: NOA
Duty Station: Gaza
Type of contract: LICA- UNOPS
Duration: six months with a possibility of extension.
Closing date: 25 April 2025

To provide technical support to the health authorities in Gaza, and partners on organizational and operational aspects of a comprehensive infection prevention and control (IPC) activities that are contextualized to Gaza situation. S/he will oversee and manage IPC activities while simultaneously monitoring and ensuring accountability for the implementation of WHO's IPC activities throughout the full cycle of incident management.

Under the direct supervision of the Health Operations Officer and the overall guidance of the Team Lead, the incumbent will:

• Conduct IPC rapid assessments using WHO assessment tools to identify the immediate gaps and needs in primary healthcare centers and secondary health facilities
• Together with other technical officers within Health Operations, Operation Support and Logistics (OSL), and surveillance & outbreak response teams work with the MOH and partners to Identify key IPC interventions which needs immediate actions based on availability of limited resources and IPC measures on ground
• Support selected healthcare facilities to implement targeted interventions to achieve improvement in feasible prioritised IPC practices according to the WHO standards
• Close follow up on the availability and distribution of IPC supplies (e.g. personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfection products, hand hygiene supplies, etc) with regular monitoring of their usage in the supported health facilities
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to selected facilities to guide implementation of key IPC practices
• Develop weekly report and recommendations for improvement of IPC to health operations officer, health cluster, surveillance & outbreak response team, and WHO incident management team on assessments and improvement in IPC activities
• Establish/reinforce emergency-specific IPC task force with the involvement of implementing partners and MOH to ensure provision of technical recommendations to partners and key players to achieve improvement actions and monitor implementation and provide inputs for WHO co-leads on priority issues before IPC TWG meeting
• Assess training needs and identify interventions among MOH and partners health facilities
• Provide dedicated training and coaching of IPC focal points in healthcare facilities and medical points
• Conduct regular On-the- job IPC training targeting key healthcare workforces including the environmental cleaners

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Educational background

Essential: University degree in medicine, nursing, or related field (microbiology, pharmacy)

Desirable: Certification or post graduate specialization in IPC, microbiology, public health, epidemiology or infectious diseases and Public Health or Healthcare Background

Professional experience and knowledge

*Essential: At least one year of experience in developing, implementing and evaluating infection and prevention control policies, procedures and tools in low resource settings, and outbreaks and or health emergency response.

Related experience in managing resources and working effectively in a multi-stakeholder international environment including developing and promoting collaborative actions with national authorities.  

Desirable: Familiarity with WHO IPC core components, facility assessment tools, strategies and implementation tools are essential.

Language Skills

Expert knowledge of English and Arabic.

Competencies

• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Communication*
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences*
• Teamwork*

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent understanding of OPT health system, implementation challenges and political sensitivities with clarity and ability to effect change and achieve results in this context.
• Excellent understanding of IPC situation and issues in OPT
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively.
• Demonstrate ability to work in challenging and multidisciplinary settings.
• Sound knowledge of public health.
• Excellent presentation and writing skills

Interested applicants must submit an introduction letter, a resume and copy of education certificates, in English, no later than 25 April 2025 to [email protected] indicating in the subject line: Infection, Prevention & Control (IPC) Technical Officer _ Your name.

Relevant applications will be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.