Public Health Officer

Preliminary Job Information

General Information on the Mission

Context

WeWorld – GVC (from now on WW-GVC) is an Italian NGO born from the merger of the NGO "We World", active in Italy and abroad in the protection of minors and women, and "GVC – Gruppo Volontariato Civile”, operating in over 25 countries around the world with projects of humanitarian aid and development cooperation. The merger between the two forces and the complementarity of experience and skills led to the creation of WW-GVC. In the Palestinian context, WW-GVC maintains the total continuity with the work implemented by GVC since 1992, guaranteeing its experience, historical memory and fieldwork skills.

We collaborate with public institutions, cultural associations, cooperatives, and Italian and European NGOs, organizing seminars, conferences, exhibits and festivals, laboratories in school and training courses for teachers. We produce educational materials and carry out communication activities on sensitive issues such as differences, human rights, women's issues, sustainable trade, and biodiversity.

WeWorld - GVC’s development strategy in the country

WW-GVC is active in the occupied Palestinian territory since 1992. We started our interventions in the health sector by creating the first transfusion health center in the Gaza strip, in operation up to this date. Nowadays WW-GVC works in emergency and development aiming at: 

1. Increasing the access to and the integrated management of water resources. 

2. Increasing the protection of vulnerable communities. 

3. Contributing to local socio-economic development.

The consolidation of the Palestinian Authorities institutional infrastructure open to foster democratic participation of civil society, through the improvement of representative processes and the implementation of specific effective tools to promote dialogue. These criteria, together with the empowerment of vulnerable communities and people, should lead any kind of intervention, preparing both decentralized institution and civil society to better advocate for a final recognition of Palestinian statehood. 

WW-GVC focuses strategically on 4 main sectors for its development program, namely:

- Local Development and Governance

- Integrate Water Resource Management  

• LRRD: Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development 
• Integrated Protection

Gender mainstream, special attention to vulnerable categories, community-based approach and good governance are cross-cutting issues included in all WW-GVC interventions.

Job Description

Tasks and Responsibilities

The Public Health Officer will work under the guidance of the Public Health Expert, Area Manager and Programmes Officer for implementing quality programming for WASH and Health projects implemented by WW-GVC.

The key areas of work and responsibilities under this ToR include extended consultations with national and local stakeholders and, more specifically, the public health officer is asked to fulfil the following tasks and responsibilities:

WASH projects:

• With the assistance with WW-GVC technical team, conduct and implement needs assessment of WASH in health needs/gaps in health institutions, focusing on main priorities water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and services (including medical waste management).
• With the assistance of WW-GVC Technical team, provide analysis for the outcomes of the assessment and initiates a fast response to identified needs in selected health facilities approaching both WASH and Health as a main component of the action.
• Participation in standardization of interventions and preparation of the specifications of the procured items with the relevant staff in order to ensure specification are matching health standards.
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of a workplan for fieldwork and work schedules for the implementation of activities according to the action plan. 
• Day to day monitoring for all WASH in health projects and follow up with the site engineers the progress of work in relevance to the work plan.
• Participate in the preparation of all the needed progress reports and submit them to the Area Manager and Programmes Officer.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the Area Manager for calling for the regular meeting for the WASH in Health working group including coordinating with WASH cluster and PWA, invitations, facilitation of the meetings and preparation of minutes and documentation.
• Provide technical support for WW-GVC team on hygiene components implemented at household level including reviewing the hygiene promotion campaign materials.
• Attending the WASH cluster meeting (if needed) and the hygiene working group. 
• Coordinates with governorate authorities for needed approvals and memorandum of understandings (MoUs) if required.
• Establishes and document supporting programmes such as operator training, consumer education, optimization of processes and research and development.
• Able to perform any tasks assigned by Area Manager.

Health projects:

• Work close to the project manager to provide technical support for the implementation of the health projects’ activities
• Conduct weekly or biweekly field visits for quality check and reporting.
• Weekly meeting with implementing partners to discuss project’s progress, achievements, challenges and lessons learnt.
• Monthly case management meetings with the implementing partners to review the list of beneficiaries and their match to the criteria of the project, quality check of patient files and feedback and recommendations.
• Attend the Health cluster and sub working groups (if any) and provide minutes.
• Able to perform any tasks assigned by the Project Manager

Report to

• Area Manager/Project Manager

Works in coordination with

• Programme Officer
• Technical Coordinator 
• Senior field officer
• Site engineers
• Local partners

Duty Station

The Gaza Strip.

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Core and Functional Competences

Required knowledge and skills

• An advanced university degree in in Medicine, Public Health, Social Sciences or any other related discipline.
• A minimum of 2 years’ post qualification experience in the WASH and Health sectors, working with government at the policy/ strategy level, in assessments, the development of policies, guidelines and frameworks and sector coordination mechanisms.
• Proven working experience in infection prevention and control (IPC), including knowledge and being familiar with World Health Organization Guidelines on WASH/IPC.
• Have a minimum knowledge on hygiene promotion and public health practices and have the capacity and motivation to learn more in a short space of time.
• Excellent communication skills and has extensive knowledge of ways to deal smoothly with all sectors of the community. Has good empathy and patience.
• Previous work experience with NGOs will be preferred.
• Knowledge of the Palestinian context. 
• Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of Italian and/or Arabic is a plus. 
• Computer skills, in particular MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Project.
• Valid driving license.

Required Personal Characteristics

• Analytical, flexible, unbiased approach;
• Ability to think strategically and conceptually, and to translate these into concrete results.
• Ability to identify, initiate and maintain good relationships with partner organizations, donors and national authorities including building professional relationships with senior decision-makers and influencers/ leaders.
• Proven organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks while fostering quality, team spirit and positive working relationships with colleagues.
• Strong interpersonal relationships and demonstrated ability to leverage business networks and partnerships for continued growth.
• Ability to work under pressure. 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Interested candidates should submit their CV along with a cover letter mentioning the position in the subject  both in English to:

[email protected]

Application deadline: 25.01.2020