Public Health Officer

Description

Position Summary: Responsible for coordinating disease prevention and health promotion activities in the community. Conducts disease surveillance activities and provides technical supervision to health facility staff in the areas of EPI, HIV/AIDS, WASH, nutrition and family planning.

Job Responsibilities

• Define the public health strategy for the settlement by identifying indicators in order to monitor activities, results and achievements
• Coordinate community health activities in liaison with Village Health Teams, Health Assistants and Nutrition staff on areas of EPI, HIV/AIDS, WASH, child welfare, family planning and nutrition
• Responsible for capacity building of staff under technical supervision including developing training curriculum and continuous mentorship
• Focal person for feedback and complaints through various channels (community forum, suggestion boxes and FRRM) as per MTI policy
• Conduct disease surveillance activities to predict outbreaks and collaborate with management to develop and implement plans for epidemic control
• Conduct health audits within the community and plan programming in accordance with findings
• Strengthen linkage of health facilities to the community through regular feedbacks (community dialogues, HUMCs, community feedback meetings etc.)
• Collaborate with other stakeholders in the community to ensure uptake and proper understanding of offered services, being the focal point for the networking in order to support the dissemination of health information of the target population
• Analyze data using HIS/HMIS database and submit reports as per schedule
• Other duties as assigned

Security Focal Person Responsibilities

• Responsible for staying up to date on security issues in close collaboration with Program Manager by attending security related meetings and participating in security information sharing groups as required; disseminate information to appropriate parties; immediately inform Program Manager in case of security risks for MTI staffs

Qualifications

Education, Experience, Licenses and Certification

• Bachelors Degree in Public Health or equivalent is preferred
• Diploma in Clinical Medicine with additional training in Public Health will be considered
• Registration with Allied Health Professionals Council is required
• 3 years of experience implementing public health activities is required
• Experience working with INGOs and in emergency operations is an added advantage

KNOWLEDGE

• In-depth knowledge of public health interventions including EPI, HIV/AIDS, WASH, nutrition and family planning
• Knowledge of community engagement methods and complaints management, including sensitive feedback

SKILLS

• Skilled in capacity building and mobilizing staff to achieve a common goal
• Skilled in conducting disease surveillance activities and implementing actions to control outbreaks
• Skilled in developing relationships to strengthen social support networks and using behaviour change strategies to mobilize community members to take ownership of healthcare needs
• Skilled in data analysis and writing reports
• Skilled at using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

ABILITIES

• Keen interest to mentor others
• Ability to exercise considerable initiative to plan, organize and follow through to meet deadlines
• Ability to build relationships and work with stakeholders on multiple levels
• Committed to high ethical standards
• Ability to support MTI Calling and adhere to the MTI Code of Conduct

Physical Conditions

This position requires work at health facilities and in communities located in remote areas with very basic living conditions.

NOTE:

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of staff in this position. Duties, responsibilities and skills are also subject to change based on the changing needs of the job, department or organization. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by Medical Teams International as the requirements of the job change.

Medical Teams International is an equal opportunity employer and  DOES  NOT  at any stage of the recruitment process (application, Shortlisting, interview meeting, processing, reference verification, training) request candidates to make payments of any kind. Further, Medical Teams International Uganda  DOES  NOT  retain any agent to conduct recruitments on behalf of the organization. Please note that under  NO  circumstances shall Medical Teams International Uganda be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages, expenses or other inconvenience resulting from or in any way connected to the actions of fraudsters and other false agents.

Medical Teams International is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share the same commitment. We believe every stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation - regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Therefore, our recruitment process includes extensive reference and background checks, self-disclosure of prior issues regarding sexual or other misconduct and criminal records and our values are a part of our Performance Management System.