Mission and objectivesUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org). The UNHCR operation in Sudan serves different refugee groups, including people from South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, CAR, Chad, Yemen and Syria, but also internally displaced people, asylum-seekers and stateless individuals through a network of sub- and field offices as well as its Representation in Khartoum. UNHCR focuses on the protection and assistance to these groups in close coordination with national authorities and in partnership with UN and non-UN agencies as well as the civil society.
ContextUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org). The UNHCR operation in Sudan serves different refugee groups, including people from South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, CAR, Chad, Yemen and Syria, but also internally displaced people, asylum-seekers and stateless individuals through a network of sub- and field offices as well as its Representation in Port Sudan. UNHCR focuses on the protection and assistance to these groups in close coordination with national authorities and in partnership with UN and non-UN agencies as well as the civil society.
Task Description Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Public Health Officer , the UN Volunteer will perform the following: โข Support the field offices in the assessment and analysis of the public health needs of persons of concern by implementing methods like: participatory assessments such as the Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective or joint assessment missions; as well as utilizing objective tools like the multi-indicator nutrition, health and WASH survey; health indicators from the Health Information System and Balanced Scorecard approach; and health facility assessments to serve as the basis for planning to effectively address health issues of public health importance, based on the principles of Public Health and Primary Health Care. โข Support the field offices by reviewing the partnerโs project work plans and ensure that appropriate public health programme interventions are reflected in implementing partner agreements in a timely manner; regularly monitor and report on compliance with established guidelines and procedures. โข Actively participate in any relevant coordination meetings with partners (e.g., MoH, WHO and other UN agencies) including health cluster meetings, sub-health cluster meetings, among others at the national level or sub-national/State level as appropriate, and prepare an update/presentation on behalf of UNHCR. โข Establish a coordination mechanism with field health focal points including health partners and conduct regular coordination meetings to discuss and support any pressing issues and needs in the field. โข Collect, consolidate, and analyze health information from the field and develop and share regular country operational health updates/reports. โข Support in developing project proposals for donorโs funding and submit relevant inputs/updates/reports including project reports to donors on time. โข Pursue collaborative, consultative partnerships to ensure quality public health planning and sustainable service provision for refugees in all camps. โข Support in monitoring and evaluating public health programme implementation in the field, in accordance with work plans co-developed with partners. โข Monitor and support the implementation of the Health Information System from training of health workers on data collection, examination of quality of data collected, and providing supervisory support and guidance including training to field health focal persons and partnerโs health coordinators. โข In collaboration with partners and local authorities, support and ensure adequate preparedness, early detection, and effective response to disease outbreaks in the camps. โข Ensure comprehensive primary healthcare (PHC) programmes are implemented according to national guidelines by health partners in the refugee camps. This will include ensuring that nutrition, mental health care and reproductive health / HIV interventions, are well integrated into the PHC services at camp level. โข Establish an efficient drug management system that encompasses assessment of essential medicine needs for the refugee operation based on drug consumption, procurement, storage, distribution, and rational utilization at the camp health facilities. โข Support and facilitate the process of medicines and medical supplies international procurement and monitor the effective management of medicines and medical supplies ensuring adherence to relevant SOPs. โข Support the conduct of joint public health monitoring and assessments including nutrition survey, joint UNHCR and partner's public health monitoring and support supervision, Balanced Scorecard assessment of health facilities, among others. Support monitor the implementation of the nutrition programme as per the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) approach and the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) best practices. โข Advocate with government line ministries for the transfer of operational responsibility of the health sector from the NGOs health partners to the line ministry (MOH). โข Participate in the evaluation of possible health financing schemes to ensure sustainability of health services for refugees and other persons of concern. โข Contribute to UNHCRโs advocacy efforts on the inclusion of refugees into the national health system to ensure the sustainability of health services delivery through health facilities managed by State Ministry of Health. Supervision, induction, and duty of care of UN Volunteers UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entities support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to: โข Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice, and orientation to the local environment. โข Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity. โข Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal. โข Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address. โข Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training, and learning. โข Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations. โข Leave management. โข DSA for official travel, when applicable. โข All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme. Results/expected outputs โข The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on the job training when working with (including supervising) national staff or non-governmental counterparts, including implementing partners. โข Reports and inputs as stated above are submitted regularly and on-time. โข Other tasks assigned are completed in a timely and accurate way. โข Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment โข A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: โข Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). โข Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. โข Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities. โข Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. โข Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. โข Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Competencies and valuesโข Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR ; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; โข Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; โข Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. โข Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. โข Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โข Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksKassala is classified as a non-family duty station with the hardship category โEโ, mainly due to its remoteness and low level of basic facilities. All security briefings are provided in Port Sudan by the Senior Field Safety Officer upon arrival. Security clearance is required for all travel between Kassala, camps and Port Sudan. However, the political environment in Sudan is unpredictable, thus requires strong security awareness when in the field. Travel between Port Sudan and Kassala is facilitated by the office through air travel with UNHAS flights in a scheduled basis (2x/week) while other commercial flight (Tarco) is also available. Security clearance is mandatory, via UNDSS web. Accommodation is provided for international staff in the UNHCR guest house. Visitors, too, can be accommodated if room is available. Staff and visitors are expected to remain in the premises of the guest house after 2400hrs. Sudan is a unique country and Kassala is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. The climate in Kassala is hot desert climate. The rainy season lasts for four months from June to September. The average annual rainfall is 250 mm. The daily mean temperature varies from 25.1๏นพC to 33.7๏นพ C. UNHCR has a medical clinic with one doctor and one nurse located within the office. Subsequently, Kassala is classified as E and non-family duty station with 4 weeks R&R cycle at the moment. Food stuffs are readily available in the local markets. Bottled water and water dispensers are recommended as the quality of the tap water in Kassala is not adequate. There are no recreational activities in Kassala and internet connectivity even though stable, can be erratic at times. Office and guesthouses have UNHCR internet connections. Staff members are strongly recommended to bring with them toiletries, medicines that they use regularly, books, windbreakers and gumboots.