Somalia: PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALIST

CARE International is an international NGO working in Somalia. CARE and its partners work with vulnerable communities to address the underlying causes of poverty and promote peace and development, as well as mitigating immediate suffering caused by drought, conflict and displacement. We invite applications from experienced and talented individuals for the position of Public Health Specialist based in Hargeisa with travels to the other field sites in Somalia/Somaliland.

Position Summary

CARE International in Somalia is seeking an energetic, self-motivated professional to join the Humanitarian and Emergency Response team in Somalia/Somaliland. Reporting to the Humanitarian Coordinator, responsible for conducting rapid health assessments, planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring emergency health interventions the successful candidate will be required to have demonstrated experience in and knowledge of emergency response and humanitarian assistance agenda in Somalia/Somaliland. The person is also expected to lead WASH sector and provide the needed leadership. The incumbent is expected to work in close collaboration with the emergency program team and with minimal supervision.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Provide leadership to the CARE Somali/Somaliland WASH sector.
2. Steer and oversee design, development and implementation of public health promotion component of WASH projects.
3. Conduct Rapid Health Assessments (RHAs), including epidemiological surveys, in order to identify groups most 'at risk', determine risk factors, ascertain essential health information, determine nutritional Status, calculate morbidity and mortality base-lines, assess environmental conditions, and identify Resources available and conduct nutritional surveys.
4. Plan and design emergency health interventions at Primary, Secondary or Tertiary level as required, with the emphasis on Primary and Community Health, particularly Mother & Child Health (MCH).
5. Establish priority WASH needs in order to reduce mortality and morbidity among vulnerable groups.
6. Set up and/or support community-based primary health services, and devise appropriate organizational and coordination mechanisms with health professionals within these services.
7. Promote basic health education by training and supporting local community health workers to assist in surveillance and educational aspects of emergency health interventions.
8. Ensure compliance with Somalia cluster standards, WHO protocols and principles of medical ethics and SPHERE technical standards.
9. Ensure parity with locally available health services and integrate the two as soon as feasible.
10. Provide leadership in conducting WASH assessments.
11. Represent CARE in WASH cluster meeting while sharing the organization program activities.
12. Develop WASH sector proposals for funding.
13. Provide health-related technical advice to fellow Emergency Response Team (ERT) members and others working in the water, sanitation, food, nutrition and shelter sectors.

Required Qualifications

1. A health professional with a Master's Degree in public health or equivalent relevant field.
2. Significant professional experience, at least 2 years, of working at an advisory and managerial level in Health for international NGOs.
3. Emergency Health programming experience at community, primary and secondary health care levels.
4. Excellent understanding of the WASH sector within the humanitarian aid context, particularly issues related to maternal, new-born and child survival an advantage.
5. Clear understanding of the intersection of Emergency WASH with other thematic areas, including nutrition, child protection, education, WASH and food security.
6. Proven representation and advocacy skills.
7. Experience with Emergency health programming in humanitarian settings preferred. Experience writing donor funding proposals an advantage.
8. Strong report writing skills and ability to compile narrative sections for proposals and donor reports.
9. Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties.
10. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
11. Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international, stressful and security sensitive environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
12. Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mind-sets.

Interested candidates who meet the criteria above are encouraged to send their application letters and detailed CV to recruit@som.care.org by August 31, 2017. Kindly indicate the position title on the subject line when applying. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CARE is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.