Team Leader - Public Health Rapid Deployment Team Register

Department

Humanitarian Response Department (HRD)

Background

Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice.  Its activities encompass relief and development in humanitarian emergencies, as well as campaigning to change the global policies and practices that keep people in poverty.

The search

Oxfam America, one of the nation’s most innovative, agile, and influential international development organizations, is compiling a list of qualified public health practitioners whom we can call upon to travel to disaster-affected communities and carry out projects such as assessments, trainings, and distributions of goods and services.

What it would mean to be selected for this list

Oxfam America Public Health Rapid Deployment Team Register positions are salaried and eligible for benefits upon deployment.

If and when the need arose, a representative from Oxfam America would contact you to determine your availability and suitability for that particular assignment. We would request your participation – probably at very short notice, for one to three months.  Before deployment you would be provided with a comprehensive orientation on Oxfam’s principles, ways of working, safety guidelines, travel and finance policies, as well as benefits. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the HRD Rapid Deployment Team, please email your cover letter and resume to jobs@oxfamamerica.org and mention “Rapid Deployment Team” in the subject line.  If we feel that there is a good match between your background and the job requirements, we will contact you in the near future to schedule an interview.  If you are selected to be on the Oxfam America Public Health Rapid Deployment Team Register, we will notify you and arrange an induction meeting with you covering all matters relevant to deployment and work in the field.

Purpose of the position

To strengthen Oxfam’s capacity to respond to large-scale humanitarian emergencies through public health assessments, program support, and health promotion.

Coordinates with

The Public Health Specialist and the Humanitarian Response Department in Boston, as well as the regional humanitarian team in the location of the emergency response.

Term

One to three months, depending on the nature of the emergency response.

Location

Worldwide

Primary responsibilities

To provide technical leadership and knowledge for performing public health assessments and program response and development, including but not limited to overseeing staff and budgets, working with communities, performing registrations and surveys, working on education campaigns, training, and distribution of goods and services.

• Actively provide guidance for technical specialists to aid in the response and community involvement in programming, based on the technical specialist’s area of expertise and in conjunction with partner agencies and the home office.
• Make recommendations for Oxfam responses in the short, medium, and long term that are in line with how Oxfam functions as an organization and works with communities and local partners.
• Build and/or strengthen the capacity of local staff in approach and response systems, procedures and protocols.
• Ensure that program activities related to public health programming are appropriate, measured, and used effectively.
• Work in close collaboration with other team members to ensure cohesive work that addresses needs.
• Maintain links and coordinate with other agencies and experts in the field responding to the emergency. Ensure that programming is implemented in a consultative, participatory, and gender sensitive manner.
• Ensure that minimum standards in financial management are met to ensure accountability and transparency.
• Manage and oversee the team in assessments and administration needs related to public health programming and logistics, as needed.
• Assist with public health assessments and program responses including, but not limited to, working with communities, performing registrations and surveys, working on education campaigns, training and distribution of goods and services.

Qualifications

Required: Education: Doctorate, masters, or equivalent in public health, or masters degree in fields related to management and/or humanitarian response

Experience and core competencies

• Knowledge of public health and one or more other relevant areas (e.g. health promotion, community development, education, community water supply)
• 7-10 years of practical experience in developing countries in appropriate community health programs or similar environments; some of this time should have been in emergency relief programs or response
• Strong management skills including personnel management and program management, including at least three years of program management experience and supervision of personnel
• Experience and understanding of community mobilization in relation to water and sanitation activities
• Experience and/or ability to work in insecure environments and under pressure
• Excellent oral and written reporting skills
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well in a team
• Highly developed organizational skills
• The ability to travel at short notice and work in difficult circumstances
• Familiarity and compliance with the NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct, the People in Aid Code, and other regulatory codes/protocols (e.g. Sphere Minimum Standards and InterAction Field Co-operation Protocol)
• Sympathy with the aims and objectives of Oxfam
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and action

Preferred:

• Spanish, French, and/or Portuguese language skills are highly desirable
• Familiarity with Oxfam International procedures.

Physical and mental demands

Mental Demands: Reading, problem solving, reasoning, stress, oral communication, written communication, multiple concurrent tasks, constant interruptions.

Physical Demands: Requires the ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods. Must be able to walk or hike into remote areas to reach field locations.

Status

Exempt/Temporary