Public Health Specialist/Epidemiologist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East, established to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. With over 30,000 staff members working across five areas of operation, UNRWA aims to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under challenging circumstances. The agency operates more than 130 health centers and employs over 3,000 health staff, directly providing primary health care to Palestine refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. The organization is committed to gender balance and inclusivity in its workforce, encouraging applications from under-represented groups and qualified candidates with disabilities.

Job Overview:
The Public Health Specialist/Epidemiologist position at UNRWA is a critical role that focuses on enhancing the health outcomes of Palestine refugees through the application of epidemiology, operational research, and health information systems. The incumbent will be responsible for providing technical support to the Department of Health and field offices, ensuring the effective development and implementation of health programs. This role involves monitoring and assessing public health activities, contributing to operational research, and participating in health emergency situations and epidemiological investigations. The position also requires collaboration with various health topics, including nutrition and adolescent health, and participation in resource mobilization efforts. The Public Health Specialist will work closely with senior management to support departmental processes, including work planning and budgeting, while also serving as a focal point for results-based management and annual reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Public Health Specialist/Epidemiologist include:

• Providing technical support for the development and preparation of health programs within the Department of Health and field offices.
• Monitoring and assessing the implementation of public health activities and health program progress.
• Offering expertise in operational research study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of findings.
• Actively participating in health emergency situations, outbreaks, and epidemiological investigations, utilizing appropriate methods to analyze health outcomes data.
• Supporting cross-cutting topics such as nutrition, adolescent health, health communication, and gender.
• Collaborating as a member of the Agency’s thematic network of specialists on relevant health topics.
• Serving as the focal point for results-based management, annual reporting, and emergency management frameworks.
• Assisting in resource mobilization efforts by identifying funding opportunities and contributing to grant proposal writing.
• Supporting departmental management processes, including work planning, budgeting, and human resources coordination with the Director and Chiefs.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Public Health Specialist/Epidemiologist position include:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in epidemiology, public health, health sciences, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of five years of combined national and international experience in epidemiology and research methods, project management, and field experience in public health emergencies and refugee assistance.
• Familiarity with the region and experience working in a UN agency is considered an asset.
• At least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and the candidate's country of citizenship, unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English is required, with proficiency in French being an advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in epidemiology, public health, health sciences, or a related discipline. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of public health issues and effectively contributing to the agency's health programs.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of combined national and international experience, demonstrating a successful track record in epidemiology, research methods, and project management. Proven field experience in public health emergencies and refugee assistance is crucial. Candidates should also have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and their country of citizenship, unless they are already serving as international staff members in the UN Common System.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English is mandatory, with a required minimum level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of French is considered a good asset, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is a Temporary Appointment for ten months. The incumbent may be required to travel within the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East. Applications must be fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, Inspira, and late applications will not be accepted. Candidates are advised to provide accurate and complete information in their applications, as misrepresentation can lead to disqualification. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The agency also welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, allowing successful candidates to be eligible for future appointments to similar posts.