Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The position is under the supervision of the Staff Health and Welfare Service (SHWS) in the Division of Human Resources (DHR). The Division¿s mission statement indicates that DHR is a strategic, trusted and innovative business partner in enabling UNHCR to protect and respond to persons of concern by attracting, motivating, retaining and developing a talented, diverse and agile workforce, while nurturing a culture of excellence, respect and wellbeing for all.

The incumbent of this position supports establishment of HR strategic priorities and the reconfiguration and transformation of the Division from a largely transactional model into a strategic business partner for field operations and senior management.

UNHCR has a highly mobile, global workforce which comprises around 11,000 staff members and nearly 5,000 colleagues on flexible working arrangements serving in over 460 locations in 130 countries. Some 40% or more of UNHCR's workforce is posted in difficult and remote duty stations where working and living conditions can be challenging. Some locations are impacted by security risks and ongoing conflicts and ensuring their safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance.

The Staff Health and Wellbeing Service (SHWS) is a part of the Division of Human Resources (DHR) responsible for ensuring that the workforce of UNHCR has a safe and healthy work environment, in the interests of good functioning and productivity. Occupational health focuses on enhancing and maintaining:

  • the health of people at work, ensuring they operate safely; and
  • the organisational effectiveness of UNHCR by providing expert advice to management.

The Medical Section includes 7 regions with more than 25 professional and support staff providing occupational medical services and support to UNHCR staff. The Senior Medical Officer reports to the Chief, Medical Section, and will have supervisory responsibilities.

In addition to work with individual staff and teams in direct person-to-person service, the Section is responsible for overall implementation of the UNHCR's Duty of Care commitments as well as for the development of relevant policy documents that promote staff health and psychosocial wellbeing.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

  • Visit the workplace and perform health risk assessments of duty stations, high risk environments. Advise on the provision of safe and healthy conditions.
  • Develop and manage emergency response to complex situations.
  • Successfully run travel medical services for staff on official travel/missions/emergency deployments.
  • Provide occupational health and safety management.
  • Develop, implement and supervise projects and programs in line with the SH&Ws and Regional Strategic Objectives.
  • Provide support with relevant UNHCR polices and standing administrative instructions, as well as promote compliance with relevant health and safety legislation.
  • Manage resources: request, justify and monitor annual budget for the region, manage own human resources under his/her supervision.
  • Provide first aid and emergency services in response to accidents occurring in the workplace.
  • Provide surge capacity to the corporate and UN System.
  • Recommend, facilitate and support emergency medical evacuations of national and international staff and dependents.
  • Consider and report on matters affecting the health, safety and welfare of persons at work.
  • Assess and clear the centres for medical evacuations for UNHCR workforce and family members.
  • Review, assess and take decisions about work accommodations, fitness for work, and mobility that are based on individualized medical risk assessments.
  • Implement and monitor existing health and psychosocial welfare policies.
  • Access to confidential staff medical data.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
*Diploma of Medical Doctor (MD)
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Certification in OHS.
Certification in emergency medicine (PHTLS, ACLS or equivalent)
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential:

  • Minimum 8 years of clinical practice as a Medical Doctor/ Practitioner of which at least 1-2 years should be in an international organization and/or in hardship duty stations.
  • Experience in occupational health and safety and/or travel medicine and/or tropical and infectious disease, and /or emergency medicine, minimum 2 years'experience.
  • Project design and management experience (education and competency to successfully lead and direct projects).minimum 2 years' experience.
  • Training in project management and minimum 2 years' experience in implementing health related projects.
  • Supervisory experience of other health personnel.
  • Excellent communication, presentation and drafting skills.
  • Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Desirable:

  • Advance Degree in occupational health/public health/community medicine/family medicine/international health.
  • Experience in managing employee assistance programs like HIV or substance abuse or other wellbeing programmes.
  • Demonstrated leadership and team building skills.

This vacancy is archived.

Recommended for you