Senior Public Health Associate

Deadline for Applications March 23, 2026 Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based) E (most hardship) Family Type (not applicable for home-based) Non Family with Residential Location Staff Member / Affiliate Type UNOPS LICA7 Target Start Date 2026-04-01 Terms of Reference A. General Background 1. The Representation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR in Algeria was accredited on 27 September 1984 under the Accord de Siège concluded between the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria desiring to continue and strengthen their long-standing cooperation in the field of protection and assistance to refugees in Algeria. 2. UNHCR in Algeria operates through its two offices serving two different caseloads; BO Algiers deals with the Representation and the urban refugees and asylum seekers, mainly Syrians, while the Sub-Office in Tindouf deals with camps situation providing protection and assistance to vulnerable Saharawi refugees living in Tindouf area. The above UNOPS position is part of the camp program of Tindouf SO. 3. SO Tindouf activities in the area of public health and nutrition include providing technical and financial support to health and nutrition partners in order to improve access to quality primary and secondary health care services in the five Saharawi refugee camps, and make sure that health and nutrition protocols/interventions are in line with UNHCR and international standards. UNHCR health interventions focus on supporting the existing health system in terms of capacity building of health personnel, supporting the implementation of main community-based health programs such as PISIS (integrated management of childhood illnesses) and HIS (Health Information System), providing medical equipment and supplies, supporting laboratory services and strengthening medical referral systems as well as MHPSS interventions (mental health and psychosocial support). 4. In terms of nutrition, UNHCR supports the implementation of community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) through a joint intervention with WFP and Algerian Red Crescent. Chronic malnutrition is still of concern in the Saharawi refugee camps. UNHCR supports also interventions related to infant and young child feeing practices (IYCF) mainly by promoting breastfeeding and food diversification in infants and young children respectively. UNHCR monitors the nutritional status of children and women in the camps in a regular basis by implementing a SENS (standardized expended nutrition survey) every 03 years. 5. In terms of coordination, UNHCR co-chairs, with Saharawi authority in charge of health, the platform of coordination in the camps, and play a key role in updating and implementing a multi-year multi-partner strategy in order to respond to the most pressing needs in terms of public health and nutrition as well as other thematic areas which could have a direct impact on health/nutrition status of our PoCs such as food security, WASH and livelihoods. 6. The outcomes of 2025 nutrition survey showed a worsening and worrying nutrition situation, especially in children and women of reproductive age. UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP elaborated a multisectoral strategy for nutrition with a joint response plan to mitigate the impact of acute malnutrition on children and prevent further complications of both acute and chronic malnutrition. 7. Currently, the public health and nutrition situation in the Saharawi refugee camps is getting stabilized little by little, however efforts should be deployed further to maintain this stability and closely monitor the situation to avoid any relapse. Knowing that the entire health system is implemented by the refugee community itself and therefore the degree of dependence to the external/humanitarian becomes greater. 8. The program in which the IC will perform his/her duties aims to provide effective programmatic and technical response to needs linked to public health and nutrition in a well-coordinated way, and make sure that protection risks in terms of health access and coverage are well assessed (in a participatory-based approach) and duly mitigated and addressed. B. Purpose and Scope of Assignment The Snr.PH Associate is a member of the Program team in Tindouf SO. Under the technical supervision of the Public Health Officer based in Algiers and the overall supervision of the Program Officer, the Snr.PH Associate is going to play a supporting role in health and nutrition programs’ planning, implementation, monitoring and coordination. He will be supporting the Public Health Officer in timely data analysis and evaluation, capacity-building of UNHCR personnel and partners, advocacy, information and communication on public health and nutrition-related issues. In the area of nutrition, the Snr.PH Associate will represent UNHCR SO Tindouf in nutrition and food sector meetings and will co-chair nutrition coordination meetings along with Saharawi health authorities and WFP. He will also assist the Public Health Officer in liaising with WFP nutrition team to make sure that UNHCR-WFP joint plan of action related to nutrition is implemented and monitored in an efficient way, and that joint activities are well planned/implemented/monitored. The Snr.PH Associate will be also asked to deal with day-to-day health/nutrition related issues at the field (technical aspects) and report on the major technical issues to the Public Health Officer. With regards to the SRRP, the Snr.PH Associate will be in charge of liaising with appealing agencies for health/nutrition to update funding trackers and any ad hoc needed information on health/nutrition within the scope of SRRP, he will also responsible for direct communication with appealing partners, compiling information/data and reporting on progress under SRRP. C. Monitoring and Progress Controls Accountability (key results that will be achieved): - UNHCR’s health and nutrition program meet minimum UNHCR and international standards. - Health and nutrition interventions are implemented and monitored in line with UNHCR guidelines, - Participating in Health and nutrition coordination meetings (participate in the preparation of meetings and share notifications and notes) - Participation in the processes of Evaluation of needs, planning/designing of health programs, M&E. - UNHCR’s policies, standards and procedures are constantly and coherently applied in the area of responsibility (AoR). Duties (process and functions undertaken to achieve results): - Assist the Public Health Officer in ensuring a good supervision of the implementation of public health and nutrition projects in the Saharawi refugee camps and ensure that health care and nutrition services provided in the Saharawi refugee camps are in line with UNHCR and/or internationally recognized standards/policies. - Participate in the identification of priority health/ nutrition issues and key data requirements for program planning and monitoring to ensure a timely and adequate response. - Follow up on the implementation and monitoring of public health projects, including nutrition interventions at the field level in close technical collaboration with the Public Health Officer. - Engage in regular joint monitoring/field visits with partners to the health and nutrition facilities in the 05 Saharawi refugee camps and produce written reports with conclusions and recommendations to the implementing partners and supervisors. - Weekly reporting to the Public Health Officer and Program Officer on the progress of health project implementation, Challenges, and gaps. - Actively participate in public health strategic platforms (MESA DE CONCERTACION) - Assist the Public Health Officer during the Public Health Coordination platforms and round tables/strategic meetings. - Co-chair the PISIS/Nutrition coordination meetings with health authorities and WFP, When the Assoc Public Health Officer is absent. - Assist the Public Health Officer in implementing the local UNHCR Public Health and nutrition strategies and participate in its regular revision and update. - Work closely with all stakeholders engaged in health/nutrition sectors, including UN agencies, NGOs, Saharawi health authorities and other operational partners. - Work closely with the other UNHCR colleagues from program, protection, field and other units, and provide technical advice when required or refer them to Public Health Officer and Program Officer. - Participate in the dissemination of information materials on health and nutrition related topics among partners, based on standard practices and policies. - Participate in mobilizing the refugee community to address its health/nutrition needs and concerns. - Participate in participatory assessments (AGDM), Nutrition surveys and joint assessments (JAM) - Assist and support the PHO in planning, implementation, analysis, dissemination and use of nutritional surveys (Standardized Expanded Nutrition Surveys, SENS), health-related surveys and post-distribution monitoring exercises (in collaboration with WFP). - Liaise with SRRP appealing agencies for health/nutrition to update funding trackers and collect any ad hoc needed information on health/nutrition within the scope of SRRP, - keep regular communication with appealing partners, compiling information/data and reporting on progress under SRRP. - Perform other related duties as required. Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results): - Monitor the appropriate implementation of the health and nutrition interventions in the Saharawi refugee camps - Make sure that health/nutrition programs are aligned with the new UNHCR’s results-based framework and international standards. - Ensure that health/nutrition interventions are evidence-based and implemented in a comprehensive and cost-effective manner. - Liaise closely with health/nutrition implementing and operational partners in Tindouf, health authority in charge of health in the camps, and organize field visits for projects’ implementation, coordination, referral systems and HIS. - Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at his level D. Qualifications and Experience 1. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education) Essential: Public health related studies (medical studies, Psychology, Human Nutrition) With high school diploma, Bachelor or equivalent or higher. Desirable: Health data collection, health project management, heath information systems and related technology. 2. Work Experience Essential - Minimum of 4 years relevant experience in the area of managing community-based public health interventions, programs, or projects. - Knowledge of public health, reproductive health, MHPSS and nutrition in humanitarian contexts. - Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities and principles. - Good communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills. - Experience in refugee operations or other humanitarian interventions will be a great asset. Desirable - Understanding of the linkages between public health, nutrition, MHPSS and Food security. - Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of Public Health. G. Key Competencies (Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies) Managerial Competencies: Judgement and Decision Making Cross-Functional Competencies: - Analytical Thinking - Planning and Organizing - Stakeholder Management Other required competencies: - Good computer skills (Word, Excel, PPT, internet, Database Management) - Good knowledge of English and Arabic. Knowledge of Spanish and/or French would be an asset. - Research and analytical skills. - Excellent oral and written communication skills (at least 02 UN languages, ideally Arabic and English) Desirable competencies: - Knowledge of UNHCR’s mandate - Former experience in refugee camps. - Knowledge of UNHCR programming cycle and good notions on UNHCR result framework related to health/nutrition. Standard Job Description Required Languages , , Desired Languages , , Additional Qualifications Skills Education Certifications Work Experience Other information Candidates profiles will be assessed against the position requirements. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a written test and an interview.This position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote No Important notice: Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training). 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