Assistant Public Health Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which was established in 195

• Its mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, providing assistance and protection to millions of people worldwide. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and it strives to promote durable solutions for refugees, including voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement to a third country.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Public Health Officer position is crucial for supporting the implementation of public health interventions in low-resource refugee settings, particularly in the context of the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh. The role involves facilitating the transition of UNHCR's engagement in the Public Health Sector, coordinating with various stakeholders, and ensuring that public health programs meet the necessary standards to minimize morbidity and mortality among displaced populations. The incumbent will work closely with government bodies, NGOs, and other humanitarian partners to enhance public health outcomes and ensure that refugees have access to essential health services. This position requires a strategic approach to public health, focusing on the inclusion of refugees in national health systems and advocating for their access to health insurance and social protection schemes. The Assistant Public Health Officer will also be responsible for data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform public health programming and decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Assistant Public Health Officer include supporting the implementation of public health programs in a coordinated manner, participating in emergency responses to new refugee influxes and disease outbreaks, and gathering information for assessments to identify health needs. The incumbent will work closely with various units to ensure intersectoral collaboration throughout the program cycle, assist in the implementation of health information systems, and support capacity strengthening of UNHCR and its partners. Additionally, the role involves monitoring compliance with public health standards, ensuring community engagement in health programming, and providing technical advice to country operations. The Assistant Public Health Officer will also be involved in preparing and processing medical supply orders and supporting public health emergency preparedness and response planning.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess solid experience in public health programming, particularly in coordination and stakeholder engagement to achieve better health outcomes. Essential qualifications include a strong understanding of health systems and the ability to analyze public health data. Experience in humanitarian settings, public health emergency preparedness, and response is desirable. The role requires effective communication skills and the ability to draft clear documentation. Knowledge of health information systems and experience with quality-assured medicines and medical supplies are also beneficial.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an undergraduate degree in fields such as Medicine, Medical Science, Nursing, Public Health, or Epidemiology. A graduate degree or doctorate in a relevant field may substitute for experience. Candidates should have a solid foundation in public health principles and practices, as well as an understanding of the health needs of displaced populations.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant experience for candidates with an undergraduate degree. For those with a graduate degree, no prior experience is necessary, while candidates with a doctorate are also not required to have experience. Relevant experience should include public health programming and an understanding of health systems, particularly in the context of humanitarian settings.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is mandatory, along with the UN working language of the duty station if it is not English. For national professional jobs, knowledge of the local language is also required. Proficiency in additional languages is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the UNOPS LICA8 category and is not remote. The target start date for the role is June 1, 2026, and the application deadline is May 26, 202

• The position is full-time and may involve working in challenging environments due to the nature of the humanitarian crisis in Cox's Bazar. Candidates should be prepared for the hardships associated with working in a refugee context and must demonstrate a commitment to UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.