Head Health Centre

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 194

• Its primary mission is to provide assistance and protection to approximately 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. UNRWA aims to help these refugees achieve their full potential in human development while awaiting a just resolution to their situation. The agency operates the largest UN operation in the Middle East, employing over 30,000 staff members. UNRWA is predominantly funded through voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual donations. The organization is dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, and it encourages individuals who are passionate about humanitarian work to apply for positions within the agency.

Job Overview:
The Head Health Centre position at UNRWA involves overseeing the operations of a health center dedicated to providing essential medical services to Palestine refugees. The incumbent will report directly to the Area Health Officer and will be responsible for supervising a team of professional and general services staff. The role requires the provision of general outpatient services, maternal and child health services, and management of non-communicable diseases, as well as facilitating hospital referrals. The incumbent will also conduct medical examinations for staff and applicants seeking special hardship assistance, participate in medical boards, and manage sick leave approvals. The position demands strong leadership skills to ensure effective service delivery, personnel supervision, and supply management. The Head Health Centre will maintain relationships with local communities and authorities, ensuring the availability of necessary medical supplies and overseeing their procurement and management. Additionally, the role includes training and evaluating the performance of medical and nursing staff, contributing to the overall improvement of health services within the agency.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Head Health Centre include:

• Providing general outpatient services and specialized services such as maternal and child health and management of non-communicable diseases.
• Conducting medical examinations for applicants for special hardship assistance and newly recruited staff, as well as periodic medical examinations for existing staff.
• Participating in medical boards and ratifying sick leaves for staff members.
• Managing the health center operations, including organizing services, supervising personnel, managing supplies, and reporting on health center activities.
• Directly supervising medical staff and providing guidance to nursing and para-medical staff, while evaluating their performance.
• Maintaining relationships with local communities and authorities to ensure effective health service delivery.
• Ensuring the availability of medicines and medical supplies, overseeing their ordering and receipt, and managing expired items.
• Participating in on-the-job and in-service training for staff according to approved plans.
• Performing additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Head Health Centre position include:

• A medical degree from an accredited educational institution, including a minimum twelve-month internship.
• A valid license to practice medicine in Lebanon (where applicable).
• At least six years of progressively responsible and relevant professional working experience in the medical field.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to manage a diverse team effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to maintain relationships with staff, patients, and local authorities.
• A commitment to the UN core values of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a medical degree from an accredited institution, which includes the completion of a twelve-month internship. This educational background is essential to ensure that the incumbent has the necessary medical knowledge and practical experience to perform the duties required in the health center effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of six years of progressively responsible and relevant professional working experience in the medical field. This experience should include direct patient care, management of health services, and supervision of medical staff. Candidates with experience in humanitarian settings or working with refugee populations will be particularly valued.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English and Arabic is required. The minimum required level for English is UN Level II, which indicates a good command of the language in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Arabic proficiency is also required at UN Level I, which indicates basic communication skills. Knowledge of French is considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The Head Health Centre position is a Fixed Term Appointment for one year, which includes a probation period of one year. There is a possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The position is classified at Grade HL08, with a starting monthly salary of USD 2,304.40, which includes a basic salary and a supplementary allowance. Additional benefits include a monthly Provident Fund contribution, compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and a dependency allowance if applicable. The incumbent may also receive sick leave and maternity/paternity leave as per agency policies. This vacancy is open to internal candidates only, and applicants must reside in Lebanon and have authorization to work in the duty station at the time of application. UNRWA is committed to gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The agency will not facilitate work permits, and preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees. A roster may be created from this selection process for future vacancies.