UNV Public Health Manager in Timor Leste

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT

Preamble:

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

1. Type of Assignment: International UN Volunteer

2. Type of Assignment Place: Family Duty Station

3. Assignment Title: Public Health Manager

4. Link with UNV Strategic Framework: Securing access to basic social services 5. Duty Station, Country: Oecusse, Timor Leste

6. Duration (in months): 12 Month or Expected contract end date: 7. Expected Starting Date: As soon as possible

8. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP

9. Organizational Context/Project:

RAEAO ZEESM-TL has inherited a series of databases and data collection protocols from central level Government. To improve the data management systems from excel based system, District Health Information System (DHIS2) and Saude na Familia (Domiciliary Visits) were initiated by Ministry of Health. The adequacy and linkages of these systems have been questioned by health experts following different sectorial planning exercises (2014-2016). The health sector planning exercise highlighted data deficiencies as well as inconsistencies between localized health post data in remote areas and what is being presented to Regional level health management. Such inconsistencies lead to unrealistic policies, poor decision making and resource allocation in Oe-Cusse Ambeno, all of

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The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).which conspire against the adequate provision of health services in the region. Is this gap or series of inconsistencies an artefact of the data collection and management system? Is it the

result of poor management and reporting at health outposts? Or is this part of a more

embedded, decade long culture of falsifying data and statistics to cover suspected cases of

Tuberculosis, Leprosy and other communicable diseases in the region? Whether artefacts of

a poor system, the result of poor decision making or a more systemic organizational culture

issues, if kept unchecked, it poses the single greatest threat to public health that the Region

faces.

10. Description of tasks: Under the direct supervision of regional secretary, the UN Volunteer

will undertake the following tasks:

1. Reviewing the current data management systems and public health statistical outputs.

This include:

o Review the purpose of the existing system and data management plan;

o He/she will do so in strict coordination with RAEOA ZEESM-TL Regional Secretary for

Health and discussions with doctors and health workers in the Health Facilities.

o He/she will be tasked with identifying barriers to adequate health sector data manage-

ment in the region as well to propose a step-wise approach for the sector to strengthen

the existing District Health Information System (DHIS 2), enable it to move closer towards

evidence-based policy making

o Review data collection tools including surveillance for Malaria, Tuberculosis, leprosy and

other notifiable diseases, handling (quality control) protocols;

o Review how data is described and documented and metadata protocols;

o Review the analysis process and its appropriateness in enabling manager to visualize

and interpret data;

o Review and improve staff capacity to adequately analyse and interpret the data being

collected;

o Review the protocols put in place to publish, share and preserve data.

2. Identify barriers to adequate data collection and propose steps toward the strengthening

the implementation of District Health Information System;

3. Propose steps required to:

o Optimize efficiency of the health sector (e.g.: identify gaps in care);

o Optimize efficiency in engaging with patients;

o Better align physicians and care teams based on data;

o Ensure that reports from physicians and health teams are adequately incorporated into

current system and contribute to a sounder approach to provision of healthcare to pa-

tients suspected of Tuberculosis and leprosy;

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The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:

• 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 IVD);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including par- ticipation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica- tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• 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.

11. Results/Expected Outputs:

1. Assessment Report on Health Sector Data Management System in Oe-Cusse including

chapters or section among other things:

a. The purpose of the system and data management plan and suggestions to

strengthen it;

b. existing data collection, creation, and handling (quality control) protocols and

ways to improve it;

c. how is data currently described, documented and communicated and ways to

improve it;

d. how are data analysis being done and the appropriateness of how it is being

communicated;

e. Strengthen the disease surveillance data reporting systems.

f. with the existing staff capacity is it possible to adequately analyse and communi-

cate the data to different audiences?

g. How is data publishing, share and preserved, how could this be improved?

2. Paper identifying barriers posed by the current system to evidence-based policy making;

3. The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training,

when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-

parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);

4. Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and

documented in all activities throughout the assignment

5. A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development dur-

ing the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities

participated in and capacities developed.

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The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).12. Qualifications/Requirements (including competencies, values and skills): A) Qualifications, skills, experience: Essential: University degree in Medicine or Bio-

logical sciences and Master’s Degree in Public Health/Epidemiology or Biostatistics or any

health-related field

Degree level: Master's degree

Type of Degree: Public Health/Epidemiology or Biostatistics or any health-related field.

Years of work experience: At least 2 years of experience in Health Management

Information systems/DHIS 2/ Disease Surveillance required.

Language (s): Fluency in English, working knowledge of Portuguese an advantage.

Driving license required: No

Computer skills: Microsoft office, outlook, Health Management Information systems/DHIS

2.

B) Competencies and values:

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take own- ership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confi- dentially; responsive and client-oriented.
• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• 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 envi- ronment.
• 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 prior- ities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

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The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious work-

ing

relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diver-

sity and gender;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability toprepare 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 person- nel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse back- grounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re- mote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of oper- ations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes sol- idarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

13. Living Conditions: Timor Leste is half of a tropical island on the Australian continental

shelf characterized by a rugged mountain chain running east-west that divides the country into

a generally warmer north coast and a milder south coast. The capital city, Dili, is in the north.

Oe-cusse is a district of East Timor. It is a coastal exclave in the western part of the island of

Timor, separated from the rest of East Timor by West Timor, which is part of the province of

Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia and which surrounds Oe-cusse in all directions except the

north, where it borders the Savu Sea. The capital of the district is Pante Macassar, also called

Oecussi Town.

Climate: The climate along the coast is relatively warm hot year-round with an annual average

temperature of 30°C. There are two distinct seasons: the north-east monsoon season, which

runs from November to March, constitutes the rainy season throughout the country. The

southeast monsoon season, which runs from March to October, constitutes the dry season

with some rain on the southern coast but otherwise dry and windy conditions in the rest of the

country. The climate inland with its high mountains can be very cold with an annual average

temperature of 15°C.

Health: Now, public hospital and private clinic service to community and not listed as a

recommended medical facility for UN staff. In case of emergency evacuation to be taken in

place through helicopter to capital Dili. Stamford clinic serves as a recommended medical

facility for UN staff There is a national hospital with some international staff and a limited

number of other private clinics in Dili. For more complex medical treatment and assessment,

it is necessary to evacuate to neighbouring countries such as Darwin or Singapore.

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The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).Diet, Food and Water: Most staple foods can be found in the markets such as rice, meat, vegetables, cooking oil, salt and sugar. There are many local markets around Oe-cusse

supermarkets that are stocked with imported goods, mainly from Australia, Indonesia,

Singapore and China. Oe-cusse has a view number of restaurants, cafes and bars. There is a

variety of food ranging from Western to Southeast Asian fare. You can also find several local

restaurants with less expensive meals. The price range for a meal can range from $3 to $20+.

Telecommunications: Now, there are three telecommunication providers in country, Timor

Telecom and Telcomcel and Telemor. While Timor Telecom has been long present, Telcomcel

and Telemor were newly launched in Timor-Leste, and started operating in February 2013.

The SIM cards cost $2-3 and pre-paid/pulsa cards range from $1 to $50. Further, depending

on UN Agency, you may receive a PIN code to make international phone calls that will be

charged to your VLA.

Hotels: The UNV Field unit in Dili will help arrange your initial accommodation in a hotel, at

your expense. Most of the hotels in Oe-cusse are aimed at internationals and offer a good

level of comfort with air-conditioned rooms and en-suite bathrooms. You can expect to pay

from $30 to $50 per night. Permanent Accommodation: Expect that your accommodation will

range from the very basic to adequate, although many private houses in Oe-cusse have been

renovated to a reasonable or even considered ‘luxurious’ level of comfort. The rate of

reconstruction and renovation in the districts has been much slower than in Dili.

Accommodation is far more likely to be of a very basic level.

14. Conditions of Service for international UN Volunteers:

The duration of your assignment is 12 Month. A Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living

Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family

Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing,

utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be computed by

applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,571. The VLA

base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and

fluctuates on a monthly basis according to the cost of living. This method ensures that

international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all dutystations irrespective

of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission

(ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website

(http://icsc.un.org). For example, if the PAM for the current month is 54.6%, then the VLA for

that month will be (US$ 1,571 x 54,6 /100) + 1,571= US$ 2,429. Moreover, a Family Allowance

(FA) is added in accordance with the number of recognized dependents: US$ 250 if the UN

Volunteer has 1 recognized dependent, and US$ 450 if the UN Volunteer has 2 or more

recognized dependents. Accordingly, the VLA per month will be US$ 2,494.75 for a volunteer

without dependent; US$ 2,744.75 for a volunteer with one recognized dependent and US$

2,944.75 for a volunteer with two or more recognized dependents.

In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC,

international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the

assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station

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The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station.

UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual

leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security

reimbursements).

UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight

tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement

allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service,

including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.

15. Applications

If you are not yet a candidate in UNV’s database, please apply by registering your profile at

https://ereta.unv.org/html/index.php?module=myprofile. Important: Once you have created

your UNV account by validating your email address, please complete all sections of your profile

and select the following code: “17TLS_HEALTH” from the drop down menu in the “Special

Recruitment” tab of ‘MyProfile’. Your application can only be considered once you have

submitted your complete UNV profile (green button). As a confirmation of your successful

registration, you will receive an email with your UNV roster number.

If you are registered in the UNV database of candidates, please update your profile at:

http://MyProfile.unv.org. In the “Special Recruitment” section on the left, click on the “Edit”

button and select the advertisement code “17TLS_HEALTH” from the drop-down list.

Application deadline: 26 January 2017. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications

from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender,

nationality and culture.

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The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).