Public Health Officer

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Terms of Reference

1. General Background

The Melkadida operation located in the extreme southeast of Ethiopia bordering Kenya and Somalia, has hosted Somali refugees since 2009. UNHCR, RRS and WFP, together with humanitarian partners, continue to deliver essential life saving assistance, protection, and basic services across the five refugee camps; Bokolmanyo, Melkadida, Kobe, Hilaweyn, and Buramino, which accommodate approximately 220,000 refugees as of May 2026.

Over the years, UNHCR and its partners have supported access to primary healthcare, nutrition services, disease prevention, mental health and psychosocial support, as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. However, challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to quality public health services, disease surveillance, outbreak response, and the sustainability of health interventions for both refugee and host communities.

In line with the 2019 Refugee Proclamation, the Makatet (Inclusion) Roadmap, and broader HDP nexus objectives, UNHCR Melkadida is advancing a deliberate transition from parallel humanitarian health service delivery towards full inclusion of refugees within Ethiopia's national and regional health systems. Central to this ambition is the progressive handover of five health facilities currently supported by UNHCR and humanitarian partners to Somali Regional State and woreda health authorities, while safeguarding service quality, access, and equity for both refugees and host communities. The Public Health Officer will play a critical role in supporting this transition by working closely with regional and local health bureaux to define and operationalize inclusion pathways, strengthen government planning and oversight capacity, align service delivery with national standards and financing mechanisms, and ensure a carefully sequenced, evidence-based shift from humanitarian management to sustainable, government-led primary and referral health care systems.

The Public Health and Partnership Officer will support the planning, coordination, and implementation of the health inclusion and transition agenda in Melkadida. The role will work closely with regional and woreda health authorities, UN agencies, and partners to advance the progressive handover of health facilities, align services with national standards and systems, and ensure continuity and quality of care for refugees and host communities. In parallel, the Officer will lead the implementation and oversight of dedicated public health funding, ensuring that funded interventions strengthen service delivery, build government capacity, and directly support refugee inclusion and the transition to sustainable, government-led health systems.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Public Health and Partnership Officer will contribute to the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of public health programmes, while strengthening partnerships and coordination mechanisms within the Melkadida operation. The specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Public Health Programming and Health Systems Transition

• Support the design, implementation, and monitoring of comprehensive public health programmes, including primary healthcare, reproductive health, nutrition, communicable disease control, and MHPSS services, with a view to advance gradual handover of health facilities to the government.
• In consultation with the Head of the Development Unit, lead the design, implementation, and oversight of refugee health inclusion and transition pathways, aligned with national and regional health policies, standards, and financing mechanisms.
• Coordinate and contribute to joint public health, health facility, and system readiness assessments with regional and woreda health authorities to inform the progressive handover of health services.
• Support the progressive handover of UNHCR and partner-supported health facilities to Somali Regional State and woreda health authorities, ensuring continuity of care and safeguarding service quality and access for refugees and host communities.

Partnership Management, Coordination, and Government Engagement

• Support and strengthen strategic partnerships with Somali Regional State and woreda health authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and development partners to advance health inclusion and transition objectives.
• Coordinate and support health sector coordination platforms, including technical working groups and inter-agency fora, with a focus on alignment behind jointly agreed transition priorities.
• Contribute to the development, review, and monitoring of partnership agreements to ensure that partner activities directly support government-led systems, capacity strengthening, and transition milestones.
• Facilitate policy dialogue and technical engagement with government counterparts on refugee inclusion in national health systems, including planning, budgeting, and service oversight.
• Support resource mobilization efforts, including liaison with donors and development actors, to sustain financing for inclusive and government-led health services.

Project Implementation, Programme Support, and Reporting

• Contribute to programme planning, budgeting, and prioritization, ensuring coherence across humanitarian, development, and climate-resilient health investments.
• Lead the implementation and oversight of dedicated/earmarked public health funding, ensuring that funded interventions strengthen health service delivery, build government capacity, and support refugee inclusion and transition objectives.
• Monitor the performance of dedicated/earmarked interventions to ensure results-based management, accountability, and value for money.
• Prepare concise technical briefs, progress reports, and situation updates to inform management, partners, and donors on progress.
• Document and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and operational evidence from the health transition process to inform broader UNHCR and government learning.
• Actively contribute to the Operation's Multi-Functional Team (MFT), ensuring that public health interventions support protection, resilience, and self-reliance outcomes.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitor implementation of earmarked project and public health and transition activities through regular field visits, joint reviews with government counterparts, and data analysis.
• Track key transition and inclusion indicators, including service quality, system integration, and handover readiness.
• Verify the quality, completeness, and accuracy of health data and programme reports submitted by partners.
• Ensure that activities remain aligned with agreed plans, budgets, and timelines, particularly those linked to health systems integration and handover milestones.
• Identify implementation risks and gaps related to transition and inclusion, and propose corrective and mitigating actions.

4. Education and Professional Work Experience

A. Education

The candidate shall have a minimum qualification of a Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Epidemiology, or other related field. A Master's or doctorate degree in Public Health (MPH) or a related discipline will be an asset.

Fields of Education:

• Public Health (essential)
• Medicine (essential)
• Nursing
• Epidemiology
• Health Systems Management

B. Work Experience Required

• 6 years relevant experience with undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with doctorate degree, in public health programmes, preferably in humanitarian, development or transition settings.
• Experience in managing and/or coordinating public health programmes, including disease prevention, health promotion, and outbreak response.
• Experience in health programme monitoring, data analysis, and use of health information systems.
• Demonstrated experience in strengthening health systems across key building blocks — governance, service delivery, workforce, supply chains, and data systems.
• Familiarity with humanitarian-development nexus approaches, including aligning interventions with national systems, supporting transitions from parallel services, and coordinating multi-year, resilience-focused programming.
• Proven experience in strategic partnership management, coordination, and working with multiple stakeholders (government, NGOs, UN agencies).
• Experience in managing or overseeing earmarked/donor-funded projects, including planning, implementation, performance monitoring and reporting.
• Excellent written and spoken English and experience in drafting sector strategy documents.

Desirable:

• Previous experience with UNHCR or UN agencies.
• Experience in working in refugee or displacement settings is highly desirable.
• Solid understanding of Ethiopian national health system and policies.

C. Key Competencies

Required:

• Strong analytical and systems thinking skills.
• Excellent coordination and strategic partnership management skills.
• Strong programme and project management competencies.
• Planning and organizing skills.
• Excellent communication and drafting skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and challenging environment.
• Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and values.

Desired:

• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Results-based management and accountability.
• Knowledge of UNHCR tools, systems, and programme management approaches.

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Living and Working Conditions — Melkadida

Melkadida is a non-family duty station with limited services. Accommodation is provided by UNHCR within the Sub-Office compound, subject to a monthly rental charge in accordance with UNHCR policies on field accommodation and high-risk duty stations. All office and accommodation premises are located within the same secure compound and are within walking distance.

Most accommodations are fully furnished and include a single room and living room with an open kitchen, private bathroom, bed and bedding, desk, air conditioning, lamp, and storage facilities. Wi-Fi connectivity is available across the compound and in most residential units.

The compound includes a medical facility staffed with a doctor and nurse for UN personnel, cafeterias, and limited recreational facilities including a gym and sports courts.

There are no local or international banking facilities, and access to goods and food items in Melkadida is very limited. Staff are advised to bring personal items and food supplies as needed. Cleaning services are provided on weekdays.

Transportation to and from Melkadida is primarily by UNHAS flights to Addis Ababa. Due to security considerations and poor road conditions, road travel is not advised and is only authorized under exceptional circumstances.

The climate is dry and semi-desert, with consistently high temperatures throughout the year. The hottest period is typically March–April, when temperatures may exceed 45°C.

Security restrictions, remoteness, isolation, and limited social life are factors applicants should carefully consider prior to applying.

Other Information

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• A written test (eliminatory or complementary) and oral interviews may be administered for shortlisted candidates.
• This position does not require a functional clearance.
• Remote: No

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