Public Health Officer

Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

• Infrastructure

• Procurement 

• Project Management (full service, back on track)

• HR and Transactional Services

• Grants Management 

• Technical and Advisory Services

• Project Information

Project Information

The UNOPS Uzbekistan Project Office currently has two ongoing projects both of which are major contributions to SDG3 (Good Health and Wellbeing). 

The first project, “Support to Development of Oncology Services in Uzbekistan” is funded through a major loan from the Islamic Development Bank. UNOPS will support the Government of Uzbekistan in strengthening the preparedness of its national healthcare system, and preventing and treating oncological cases in an effective and timely manner. By identifying, procuring, delivering and operationalizing urgently needed medical, laboratory, radiological and ICT equipment, the project will significantly contribute to improved access and quality healthcare services for local communities in 14 regional locations including Tashkent and throughout the country.

The second project is the “Uzbekistan COVID-19 Emergency Response Project” with the Republic of Uzbekistan's Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Service (SES). Funded through two major loans from the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. In this project UNOPS will support the Government of Uzbekistan to upgrade up to 54 existing laboratory and treatment facilities across the country, procure diagnostic equipment and supplies, and establish an ICT system for monitoring the epidemiological situation to strengthen preparedness and resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics.

The Public Health Officer will be working within a team of UNOPS colleagues with expertise in biomedicine, including laboratories and nuclear medicine, and technical expertise in the development of HMIS software and  ICT systems. The Public Health Officer is expected to be able to link the project to the relevant stakeholders in Uzbekistan, foresee and plan how to overcome potential challenges or resistance within different levels of the project stakeholders and the health system, and contribute to the development and expansion of UNOPS health projects within the country.

Under the supervision of the Senior Portfolio Manager, the Public Health Officer shall be actively involved in the Uzbekistan projects, and ensure coordination between the National Programme/ other sub-groups and the PR UNOPS.  The Public Health Officer shall support the project's strategic alignment and support for the overall health system of Uzbekistan's strive towards SDG3. 

1. Public health liaison and coordination

• Collaborate with national authorities and health partners to coordinate and implement public health response activities as part of the project’s strategic response; 

• Analyze existing laboratory networks and coordination mechanisms, guide and assist health technology assessments - status quo and plans, designing reports and recommending improvements.

• Facilitate work planning meetings, coordination meetings and capacity building training for the project and relevant stakeholders.

• Collaborate with health partners to ensure that public health assistance is in line with international recommendations, but also aligned with local regulations and legislation (these activities should be related to biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory requirements).

• Act as a liaison between national institutions and UNOPS on health communication matters, mainly the control of potential biohazards at the BSL-2 level by providing standard microbiological practices, including laboratory and personnel protective equipment.

• Interact with colleagues, clients, partners and other relevant stakeholders to share vital information on operational issues related to public health and specifically Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) requirements – compliance, forms and policies, training, safety protocols, etc. 

• Attend all relevant technical meetings and maintaining excellent contacts with all stakeholders;

2. Support to project implementation

• Ensure UNOPS and and BSL-2 protocols and standards are adhered to by the project;

• Provide technical public health input for strategic planning, project management and BSL-2 lab management.

• Support the development of budgeted work plans, performance framework and commodities forecasting, as they relate to public health activities.

• Review work plans and reports, ensuring that they are sound, in line with the project, policy and strategies.

• Provide input to communications and information products as required.

• Participate in field visits and project sites.

3. Documentation and reporting

• Define and analyze essential project related data, and ensure the alignment with international standards and national health and safety information systems related to laboratories and oncology treatment facilities, research compliance policy on disease surveillance and reporting for high-risk agents.

• Participate in data collection, data management, data quality review and reporting, in collaboration with relevant partners. 

• Maintenance of up to date program records, both in hard copy and in the computerized system.

a. Education

• A first level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in health sciences, sciences or related field is required.

• Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in the above mentioned subjects or related field, is an asset and may substitute for additional years of experience.

b. Work experience 

• Two (2) years of experience in the field of public health, laboratory and epidemiology and health system strengthening.

• Experience of working with National Health Authorities and other/or key national stakeholders in the health sector is required.

• Experience in laboratory related standards and biological safety protocols is required. 

• Experience of working with multiple stakeholders delivering complex health interventions at national scale is a strong asset.

• Experience in data analysis and reporting is a strong asset.

• Experience working in an international organization is an asset.

c. Languages

• Fluency in English is required.

• Fluency in Uzbek or Russian is required. Fluency in both is an asset.

*** Only nationals of Uzbekistan or persons in Uzbekistan with residence and work permit are eligible for this position***

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.