This position is located in the Medical Section of the Strategic Support Service (SSS) within the Logistics Support Division (LSD) of the Department of Field Support (DFS) in New York. The incumbent performs as Medical Planning Officer under the supervision of the Chief, Medical Section (MS). The Medical Section (MS) is responsible for providing operational planning and logistic support to all UN peacekeeping and political field missions according to their mandates. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Strategic Support Service, the incumbent reports to the Chief of Medical Support Service.
Within delegated authority, the Medical Planning Officer will be responsible for the following duties: -Plan and coordinate medical support to UN peacekeeping and political missions and monitor mission readiness of medical facilities/capabilities. These tasks include:-Develop and maintain the medical standards for the set-up of medical facilities/capabilities in peacekeeping and political missions in accordance to the standards defined in the COE manual; -Develop the specifications for personnel categories in the UN medical facilities in peacekeeping and political missions; -Review and update the Medical Support Manual (MSM) to reflect current international health/medical standards/practices; the medical doctrine according to the General Assembly; the Medical Services Division and the work of the Medical Support Services; -Responsible for providing expert advice to DPKO, Permanent Missions, Field Missions and Mission Planning Service on all medical issues regarding peacekeeping operations, including planning and assessing medical support for new and present peacekeeping and political missions; developing the Scope of Works (SOW) and technical specifications and managing the UN systems contracts for medical equipment and consumables, drugs and pharmaceuticals and blood ensuring end to end supply chain; monitoring health situation in missions and assessing medical requirements; Coordinating and monitoring deployment of medical facilities/capabilities in the UN field missions; -Participate in Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiations on all medical matters, as well as in interdepartmental discussions of crosscutting issues pertaining to medical support in the field and provide expert technical advice.-Develop, review and update the medical doctrine in field missions deployed in tropical climate, in accordance to the current scientific and pharmaceutical developments and the WHO policy, by evaluating the medical doctrine for efficiency and effectiveness; recommending methods for prophylaxis of vector borne diseases and analyzing verification data to achieve continuous evaluation of the health risks in UN field mission areas; Develop, review and update the medical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in field missions, especially SOPs related to mission response in Medical Emergencies and Massive Casualty Incidents. -Support Integrated Training Service (ITS) in the development, review and update of the training material for peacekeepers in matters of first aid, medical planning and on issues of HIV, AIDS and other infectious diseases; and participate in related training activities;-Participate in mission pre and post deployment assessment visits, and verification of medical assets.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence in planning and provision of medical support; Ability to identify needs of field missions and troop-contributing countries and to deliver effective solutions; Ability to conduct medical assessments and independently develop clear medical plans, with flexibility to adapt to new developments and changing priorities; ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; ability to actively seek to improve programmes or services, and offer new and different options. Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
•Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in medical science is required. A first-level university degree in medical science in combination with seven additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in health care or health administration, of which three years at the international level is required. Experience in medical support and planning in field missions or other international organizations in the field is desirable. Experience in medical doctrine development, especially regarding emergency medical response is desirable. Experience in medical related supply chain management is desirable. Experience in military medical support planning is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff is expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
This position is funded by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations for a finite period of one year and may be extended subject to budgetary approval.
Applicants from troop- and police-contributing countries who are found most suitable and recommended for selection will be given due consideration for positions in a peacekeeping operation or Headquarters support account funded positions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support, taking into account their contribution to United Nations peacekeeping, in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 66/265 and 67/287.
The United Nations is Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.