Public Health Officer (PHO)

Vacancy Announcement

KOICA Empowering Rural Communities in Nepal through an Integrated Approach to Health and Income Growth Project

I. General Information

Job Title: Public Health Officer (PHO)

Sector of Assignment: Health, Income growth, Community development

Country: Nepal

Duty Station (city): Dhulikhel (Dhulikhel Hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital)

Project Site: Manekharka, Hindi, Salambu, Puttar

Duration of Assignment: 1 year (extendable based on performance & project duration)

Salary: Negotiable based on the experience and qualification

II. Supervision

Title of Supervisor: Health Team Manager (HTM)

Content and Methodology of Supervision:

The Public Health Officer (PHO) will work under the direct supervision of the Health Team Manager (HTM) and the general guidance of the Project Manager, Gounee Sung.

PHO will report directly to the Supervisor. At the beginning of his/her assignment, a detailed work plan will be developed jointly by PHO and his/her supervisor and will include the detailed assignments, their timeline, indicators and targets.

The supervision will be conducted on a weekly basis through meetings between PHO and his/her supervisor where PHO will provide weekly update on the progress towards targets as well as challenges and lessons learned, and the supervisor will provide feedback and guidance.

Further, regular one-on-one meeting will take place with the supervisor to ensure adequate guidance, clarifications and feedback is being provided against the established work plan.

III. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations

Background Information - Job Specific:

PHO reports to HTM who provides board supervision and guidance. The role is responsible for supporting HTM with the day-to-day operations of the project and coordinating project progress and implementation. He/she maintains a close eye on the operational and financial performance, identifies probable issues that may need attention, supports in problem analysis and solution identification as necessary, coordinate resolution as per action-items assigned, drafting required correspondences to stakeholders concerned and preparation of project reports.  The role can often be required to work in complex and challenging environments with limited resources.

1. Project overview and quality assurance

A. Supporting project design, implementation and quality assurance

• Support the project planning process; including the preparation of Terms of Reference (ToR) and/or Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) as required;
• Manage information flows and oversee changes, risks and other relevant issues that occurs during the project implementation;
• Organize stakeholder meetings when necessary, and maintain records of these meetings;
• On behalf of the project and as directed by HTM, participate in periodic visits to the project sites to monitor the project implementation procedure.

B. Monitoring & evaluation

• Document and feedback lessons learned and best practices;
• Manage the compilation, consolidation and analysis of relevant data of the project;
• Assist HTM in tracking of the project indicators and quality;
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building. 

C. Reporting

• Provide substantive inputs to assist HTM in the preparation of project reports and documents;
• Maintain records of project files and other supporting documents;
• Assist HTM in the preparation of project reports 

2. Coordination and liaison

• Liaising closely with HTM and/or PMO to progress project related tasks;
• Keeping the HTM informed of progress of the work and timelines;
• Support for coordinating and drawing agreements between the relevant stakeholders especially participants of health field for effective and efficient implementation of the project.

3. Other relevant administrative tasks

Impact of Results: Public Health Officer directly impacts on achievement of project results by assisting HTM adhere to project management methods and strategies, reduced risks, cut costs and improved success rates.  This consequently reinforces the visibility as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

IV.  QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS

1. Education

• Essential: Completion of master’s course in public health, medical science, nursing, health science, epidemiology, social science or in any of the areas relevant to the functions of the position
• Desirable: Training in public health will be an asset.

2. Experience

• Essential: At minimum, three years of combined national and/or international experience in relevant field
• Desirable: Experience with health and/or development project of national or international institution; experience in ODA (Official Development Assistance) project, in international organization; experience with community health and/or school health programs; basic knowledge of and/or experience in statistics 

3. Skills

• Language skills: Proficiency in written and spoken English and Nepali.
• Ability to speak the languages spoken in the project site, Tamang, will be an asset
• Use of Microsoft office (including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

4. Competencies

• Overall attitude at work: maintain integrity and take a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrate commitment to the project team’s mandate and promotes the values of the team in daily work and behavior; be accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; be respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
• Teamwork: collaborate and cooperate with others.
• Respect and promote individual and cultural differences: relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity
• Communication: express oneself clearly when speaking, write effectively, listen/shares knowledge
• Producing results: deliver quality results and take responsibility
• Moving forward in a changing environment: propose change and adapt to change

V. Background Information

Limited access to healthcare services and lack of income source results in low quality of life of people living in the project sites: Manekharka and Hindi in Sindhupalchowk district, Salambu in Kavre district and Puttar in Tanahun district.

Dhulikhel Hospital of Kathmandu University has established 21 outreach centers (ORCs) in rural areas across the country including the project sites, and dispatched medical and paramedical staffs. In addition, Dhulikhel Hospital also has launched the community development programs promoting income growth activities in addition to the provision of basic healthcare services through ORCs, so that community people can fully enjoy the provided services. These efforts are recognized as a new approach of rural development.

In recognition of this effort, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has launched a new project titled “Empowering Rural Communities in Nepal Through an Integrated Approach to Health and Income Growth” by signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Nepal to support Dhulikhel Hospital with its development experience and expertise.

The Project aims to achieve well-being and improved quality of life in rural community as result of strengthened capacity for community development through integrated approach to health and income growth. Main components of project implementation includes: developing a Master Plan to operate outreach centers; workshops with relevant partners for community need assessment and knowledge sharing; capacity building of healthcare personnel, community leaders and members; supporting  income generation of community people by cash cropping and other relevant activities; managing and evaluating progress and performance of the project; supporting construction of agricultural infrastructure and health facilities in the project sites.

VI. Agency Information

1. Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)

KOICA is Korea’s leading development cooperation agency to achieve global social values and aims to fight global poverty and support sustainable socio-economic development in developing countries while at the same time strengthening Korea’s friendly relations with them. Setting health, education, governance, agriculture and rural development and technology, environment and energy as priority sectors, KOICA delivers grant-based programs through its development projects, international volunteer and fellowship programs, emergency relief provision, multilateral cooperation, etc. At present KOICA operates 44country offices around the globe.

Official website: http://www.koica.go.kr/sites/koica_en/index.do

KOICA Nepal Office has started its operation in Nepal since 1995 to maximize the effectiveness of Korea's grant aid programs for developing countries by implementing the government's grant aid and technical cooperation programs.

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/koica.npl

2. KOICA “Empowering Rural Communities in Nepal through an Integrated Approach to Health and Income Growth” Project Office

The Project office has established in March 2021 and members are consisted of international and national specialists in project management, health and agriculture of Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) and Yonsei Global Health Center (YGHC)

KDS Official website: http://eng.kds.re.kr/Main/index.html

YGHC Official website: http://globalhealth.yonsei.ac.kr/english/index.php

Dhulikhel Hospital of Kathmandu University is the partner agency for the Project.

Interested candidates who meet the above mentioned are required to submit their application letter and recent C.V with contact details (email and mobile number) of referee for reference check via email to ercnproject@gmail.com no later than 6th May 2021 till 17:00 hours.

Inquiries are only accepted through e-mails.