Migration Health Officer At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Migration Health Officer

Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, nine months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 28 February 2023

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context:

Since 1999, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been supporting migration health initiatives in Thailand. Operating within its’ Health Border and Mobility Management (HBMM) framework, IOM delivers and promotes comprehensive, immediate, preventive and curative health programmes which are beneficial, accessible, and equitable for migrants, mobile populations and other vulnerable and hard to reach populations; and cut-across both preparedness and response. Bridging the needs of both migrants and member states, IOM’s Migration Health Unit (MHU) contributes towards the physical, mental and social well-being of migrants, enabling them and host communities to achieve social and economic development. Within Thailand, IOM’s health teams operate across all areas as defined by the health-development and peace nexus (HDPN) to ensure health service provision for migrants and mobile populations across the country, and the region.

As a multi-sectoral agency working across many sectors, IOM’s health teams coordinate closely with government authorities, alongside other internal (and external) partners, including but not limited to IOM’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Immigration and Border Management, Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion, and Protection (including cluster coordination mechanisms in humanitarian settings), among others. In Thailand, IOM is currently particularly active in the areas of tuberculosis (TB), implementation of the international health regulations 2005, and disease surveillance and prevention (including COVID-19), and also has extensive experience in conducting health assessments for migrants and refugees including medical screenings (laboratory diagnostics, immunization and treatment), and psychosocial assistance so that they can travel and remain healthy throughout their stay in Thailand and abroad.

In line with IHR 2005, IOM supports the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to strengthen health service capacity at the border points to effectively prevent, detect and respond to the infectious diseases and other public health threats. IOM provides integrated surveillance and disease control training for the frontline health staff working in border areas, necessary medical and health commodities for the border posts, analyses and reports on population mobility trends in priority health zones to inform preparedness efforts, as well as risk communication assistance to sensitize cross border population and neighbouring communities. IOM is an active partner of the MoPH in responding to the challenges of public health and migration.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and direct supervision of Chief Migration Health Officer (HAP), the successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for organizing, implementing, coordinating and supervising activities relating to migrant health projects in the IOM Thailand Country Office ( CO) that cut across the HDPN nexus. The Migration Health Officer must have a knowledge of program implementation using a multidisciplinary approach, public health techniques and methodologies, and the ability to adapt selected methodologies to facilitate the achievement of the program’s objectives.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Monitor programming and oversee Thailand CO’s public health operations, including in relation to the COVID-19 response and International Health Regulations (IHR) activities within Thailand and neighboring countries. Supervise and provide technical support to IOM Thailand CO’s migration health H2 staff.
2. Develop and deliver training for staff on public health in line with IOM’s newly revised Health, Border and Mobility Management Framework (HBMM), including its’ further roll-out in Thailand and its neighboring countries.
3. Coordinate with neighboring IOM Country Offices relevant colleagues and supervise the implementation of projects related to strengthening border health and preventing cross-border disease transmission, and draft procedures, plans and report to facilitate the accomplishment of these functions as necessary.
4. Coordinate with key-actors at sub-regional, and at cross border levels to build further collaboration for health and related activities in Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries, in close collaboration with the Regional Migration Health Adviser and MHD Focal Points in neighboring IOM Country Offices.
5. Liaise with external partners including the Ministry of Public Health, World HealthOrganization (WHO), Center for Disease Control (CDC), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and others to promote the harmonization of cross border preparedness activities and IHR from the perspective of an all-hazards approach.
6. Provide inputs to the technical discussions with the Ministry of Public Health and key partners, including CDC and WHO, such as relating to national and cross border health events; inform partners about appropriate technical implementation approaches and participate in building the capacity of IOM staff and other partners on the importance of ensuring a migration-health lens in public health , alongside implementation of IHR.
7. Liaise with other IOM units to contribute to further development and proper implementation of cross-thematic programming, in particular Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Integrated Border Management (IBM), Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion (LMI), Communication and Programme Support Units.
8. In coordination with the communications department, ensure proper dissemination of related migration health progress updates and program information including sitreps, maps, newsletters and other key information products.
9. Implement plans for monitoring and evaluating the impact of program implementation project goals. Ensure implementation plans meet approved technical and contractual guidelines and assist in meeting reporting requirements under relevant project requirements and agreements.
10. Summarize and prepare findings and lessons-learned from program operations to be used for reports, records, proposals, publications, and for presentations at national and international meetings on migrant health. Support with future program revisions and program development as necessary.
11. In close coordination with the finance department, ensure that program expenditures are tracked and adequately reflected; provide budget forecasting and revision.
12. Ensure regular reporting on IOM activities including key performance indicators and share important developments in relation to the evolution of the migration health activities in the country.
13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s in Public Health, Epidemiology, Social Sciences or related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of professional experience.

Experience

• Demonstrated international experience in coordinating programmes, providing policy support as well as programme development in the public health field;
• Demonstrated experience in donor liaison. Demonstrated experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions, and NGOs;
• Experience in the Asia Pacific region a distinct advantage; and,
• Experience in implementation of IHR-related programs/infectious disease outbreaks an advantage

Skills

• Excellent computer skills, especially in MS Office applications such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, Internet Explorer; and,
• Excellent writing skills.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). fluency in any local language is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.