Specialist in public health in emergencies

Background

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), established in 1986, is a regional non-profit foundation with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand supporting the advancement of safer communities and sustainable development, through implementing programs that reduce the impact of disasters upon countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. The primary geographical focus of ADPC’s activities is Asia with the South, South East and East Asia being the primary sub-regions. In 2005, nine countries, namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Sri Lanka signed a Charter establishing ADPC as an inter-governmental organization.

ADPC has vast experience of 25 years of working in Asia Pacific region along with the national and local Government of its charter member countries as well as countries of the Regional Consultative Committee on Disaster Management (RCC); a regional mechanism established by ADPC in 2000 and comprising of head of national disaster management offices of 26 countries in Asia Pacific. ADPC also shares a close partnership with sub-regional inter-government agencies, such as Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Secretariat for Pacific Community (previously known as SOPAC) on various DRR related themes including capacity building, strengthening institutions and systems, knowledge management and mainstreaming DRR into development. It works closely with a range of UN Agencies including UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCAP, WHO, WMO, UNISDR, UNOCHA, UN-Habitat, etc. on DRR related projects and consulting services. ADPC works with international and local NGOs, national technical and training institutions, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Further details on ADPC and Programs can be found at www.adpc.net

ADPC is comprised of several thematically organized operational departments such as Department on Safer Development Planning and Implementation, Department on Climate Change and Climate Risk Management, Department on Resilient Cities and Urban Risk Management, Department on Disaster Risk Management Systems, Department of Public Health in Emergencies, Department of Disaster Risk Assessment and Monitoring, Training Services Unit. With over 100 staff from 19 countries and with professionals with expertise in development planning, engineering, architecture, agriculture, social sciences, health science climate sciences and disaster risk reduction.

ADPC has developed expertise in management of public health in emergencies, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergencies etc and currently engage in implementation of related projects, design and delivery of training & capacity building programs, advocacy, and organization of networking events. The Projects and training & capacity building programs undertaken by Public Health in Emergencies (PHE) Department cover whole spectrum of potential hazards that can be anticipated in Asia and the Pacific: natural hazards, complex emergencies, terrorism or technological disasters. The PHE Team has begun to expand its activities outside South and South East Asia to cover Middle-East, Central Asia and Pacific.

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) welcomes applications from qualified professionals from the field of Public Health with extensive experience in interventions related to Public Health in Emergencies, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergencies etc to strengthen its professional team. Please indicate the professional affiliation and Position Title in the cover letter clearly.

Duties and responsibilities

• Supervise current Programs undertaken by Public Health and Emergencies Department of ADPC
• Develop new project proposals on public health and emergency management including Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergencies to meet country needs in line with priorities and strategies of WHO and other donor agencies
• Analyze relevant subject specific information to create specific decision support products for utilization by Health Sector stakeholders at all levels (community, city/local government, Provincial and National governments)
• Demonstrated Capacity to analyze hazardous environment and potential health related impacts based on subject specific information in order to design appropriate interventions to suit all levels (community, city/local government, Provincial and National governments).
• Package public health related technical information in assessing risk, risk communication and undertaking gap analysis
• Assisting in developing strategic approach for achieving program goals and sustainability of the PHE programs undertaken by ADPC
• Assistance in increasing the program outreach through development of new programmes, engagement in advocacy, assistance in fund mobilization, enhancement of existing partnerships and development of new partnership to increase the outreach
• Resource Inputs for design of new capacity building and training programs that address current needs in the field of public health in emergencies; and inputs for review, strengthen and refresh current capacity building programs
• Provide resource inputs in delivery of training & capacity building programs on the subjects of Public Health in Emergencies, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergencies etc to enable user institutions and communities to translate health risk information and apply decision support tools for reducing the impacts
• Develop and maintain dynamic working relationships with Regional and country level representatives of WHO, donor agencies , Health Ministries & Departments of partner countries and NGOs
• Keep up to date on developments within the field of public health in emergencies
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director(ADPC)/ Director /Department Head/

Supervisor(s)

Director/ Department Head- Public health in Emergencies

Required qualifications / selection criteria

Qualifications and experience

• PhD or master’s degree in one or more subjects such as Public Health, General Medicine, Health Risk management, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergencies etc
• A minimum of eight years experience in the field of public health and/or relevant field out of which at least three years should be in emergency health management, preferably in the Asia region.
• Experience in design, implementation and management of projects related to Public Health in Emergencies
• Practical knowledge and experience in public health practices and health response in emergencies.
• Proven experience in design and development of training and capacity building programs on public health and emergency management.
• Experience and capacity to network, develop and establish effective relationships with WHO, donor agencies, government health institutions of partner countries, and NGOs
• Proven ability to strategize, plan and organize work, monitor and evaluate Programs
• Extensive work experience in developing information related to public health and emergencies analyzing vulnerability and impacts and communicating / disseminating the information effectively

Training skills and knowledge

• Experience in training and capacity building
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of subject specific information generation and applications in training and capacity building
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding on impacts of multi- hazards and climate change on health systems
• Excellent English proficiency in oral and written communication, including a demonstrated track record in technical report writing and
ability to communicate technical matters effectively to general audience

Personal qualities

• Self-motivated, pro-active and takes initiative
• Demonstrated ability and plan and organize work and time independently
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multi-cultural environment
• Strong desire to learn, undertake new challenges, must a creative problem-solver, must have self confidence, willingness to work hard, good sense of humor but with seriousness about the quality and excellence of work.