Volunteerism Opportunity, Cameroon: United Nations World Food Programme needs the services of a Universal Health Coverage/Quality of care program officer in Yaoundé
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Application deadline: 20 June 2021: 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.
Application deadline: 20 June 2021:
Job Title: Universal Health Coverage/Quality of care program officer
Country of Assignment: Cameroon
Host Institute: World Health Organization
Volunteer Category: International Specialist
Number of Volunteer: 1
Duration: 12 months
Expected Starting Date: 01-10-2021
Duty Station: Yaounde [CMR]
Assignment Place: Family Duty Station
Application deadline: 20 June 2021
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Assignment Place Remark
Living Conditions
Cameroon is a country of humanitarian context in some regions. The country has a relatively good infrastructure, running water, electricity, sanitation and housing. Given the humanitarian and security context, particularly in the North West and South-West regions, it is imperative that all UN Volunteers familiarize themselves with the security guidelines and the situation upon arrival in the country. Yaoundé is the political capital of Cameroon and the second most populated city in the country after Douala. It is the headquarters of several international organizations, embassies and UN agencies. The climate in Yaoundé is tropical, humid and dry with constant temperatures throughout the year ranging from 22 to 29°C. Yaoundé also has a long wet season covering a period of ten months between February and November. However, there is a significant decrease in rainfall during the wet season, during the months of July and August. The official languages of Cameroon are English and French. For entry into Cameroon, Visa+ passport and international yellow fever vaccination card are required. Other vaccines are strongly recommended
Assignment Details
Assignment Title: Universal Health Coverage/Quality of care program officer
Assignment context, Organizational Context & Project Description
Assignment context:
Quality primary health care and the viability of health districts is a national priority, which is why the Ministry of Public Health of Cameroon through the Directorate of Health Care Organization and Technology (DOSTS) is making every effort to ensure the coordination of essential interventions to strengthen the quality of health care and the functionality of health districts for the effective implementation of primary health care. However, the country is struggling to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It is in this context that the WHO country office is supporting the country to strengthen the functionality of health districts and the quality of care. The UNV will be based at WHO/Yaoundé in Cameroon which is a normative technical agency for health headed by the WHO Representative in Cameroon and has several programs (Health System, HIV/AIDS/Tub/ Hepatitis Control, Disease Control, Malaria Control, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Nutrition, Expanded Programme on Immunization, Health Emergency Program, Health Promotion) organized in clusters including the Universal Health Coverage Life Course (UHC/LC) cluster supported by an administration.
Organizational context:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations specialized agency for global health. Composed of 194 Member States, it works throughout the world to promote the highest attainable standard of health for all people, irrespective of race, religion, gender, political belief, economic or social status.
WHO’s mission is to promote health, safeguard global security and serve vulnerable populations. Access to appropriate and affordable health care is a fundamental human right and universal health coverage is a cardinal principle of WHO’s work.
By 2023, WHO aims to achieve the triple billion targets: 1 billion more people with universal health coverage; 1 billion more people better protected in health emergencies; and 1 billion more people with improved health and well-being. At least half of the world’s population lacks access to essential health services, and nearly 100 million people fall into poverty each year as a result of direct health costs.
WHO brings together leading international experts to produce reference materials on global health issues and to make recommendations to improve health for all.
In Cameroon, the agency is headed by the WHO Representative and has several programs (Health System, HIV/AIDS/Tub/ Hepatitis Control, Disease Control, Malaria Control, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Nutrition, Expanded Programme on Immunization, Health Emergency Program, Health Promotion) organized in clusters including the Universal Health Coverage Life Course (UHC/LC) cluster supported by an administration
This position offers to professionals interested in pursuing a career in health and primary health care development and quality of care an exceptional opportunity to increase their practical experience in multilateral technical cooperation. The terms and rates correspond to those of the WHO or a United Nations Volunteer (UNV), an program officer. Sustainable Development Goals 3. Good Health and Well-being
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Task description
Under the direct supervision of Health System Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Delivering as One to achieve the SDGs: Disseminate information on primary health care, health district strengthening, laws and policies affecting primary health care implementation among UN agencies and development partners. Support the DOSTS of the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health to follow up with the government, including the costs of accelerated actions for quality of care improvement and implementation of primary health care in the context of universal health coverage;
- Quality of care at all levels of the health pyramid : Develop briefing documents to support the WHO representative’s advocacy meetings with the government, stakeholders and officials of bilateral and multilateral partners in the country; support the development of the essential package of activities by age cohort; support the DOSTS in its process of strengthening the sustainability of the health districts
- Strengthening commitment: organize regular coordination meetings with national officials for consultation and planning of interventions in the area of quality of care; support the development of a strategic document on quality of care and strengthening of primary health care
- Widening the circle: broaden the approach to primary health care and person-centered integrated health care by ensuring that universal health coverage efforts are tailored to the needs of populations by involving vertical program managers and directorates in charge of or involved in quality of care;
- Gateways to integration: involving national and international partners in quality of care and primary health care, including and beyond health to address aspects of financing and costing of universal health coverage and the application of norms and standards to achieve high quality of care for populations;
- Monitoring, evaluation and accountability: support updates to the national health information system to improve the availability and timely use of data related to quality of care and health district functioning for decision making and improvement of primary health care interventions. Support accountability for monitoring, evaluation and key Ministry of Health activities.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required 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 International Volunteer Day)- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country- Provide annual and end of assignment reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers- 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.
Results/Expected Outputs: Activities in the area of quality of care improvement planned in the two-year work plan and implemented with stakeholders; Activities in the area of health district strengthening planned in the two-year work plan and implemented with stakeholders Technical and briefing papers on quality of care and strengthening primary health care to support the WHO representative’s advocacy meetings with the government are developed; Strategic documents are developed to strengthen the quality of care area at the national level Progress reports are submitted monthly
- 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);
- Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
- 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
Qualifications/Requirements
Required degree level: Master degree or equivalent
Education – Additional Comments: Areas of education / specialization: Public Health, Community Health, Quality of care
Required experience: 36 Months
Experience remark:
– At least three years of professional experience, in the field of health or international development.
– Experience in health policy and strategy development, analysis and/or development, health program planning and/or project management related to quality of care and primary health care
– Experience working in quality of care improvement
– Experience working in supporting or monitoring health district performance
– Experience working in the health or social development field in low- or middle-income countries;
– Good knowledge and understanding of specific aspects of public health
Language skills:
- English(Mandatory), Level – Fluent
- French(Optional), Level – Working Knowledge
Area of expertise: Public health, Other development programme/project experience
Driving license: No
Competencies values:
Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Empowering Others, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Managing Performance, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Working in Teams
Application procedure:
Prerequisites
This assignment is funded by JICA, therefore only former Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JICA-JOCV) who could get recommendation by JICA-JOCV Secretariat are eligible to apply. Please check your application eligibility here: JICA海外協力隊.
This is a UN Volunteer assignment and eligible candidates must be 25 years of age or older.
Selection process
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment, via competency-based interviews held via skype or telephone.
How to apply
Please apply via the link below.Universal Health Coverage/Quality of care program officer | UNV
You may apply to a maximum of three assignments per advertisement and indicate your order of preference in the ‘Additional Remarks’ section of your profile.
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Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
