Deadline for Applications
March 10, 2026
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
E (most hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Non Family with Residential Location
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
UNOPS LICA7
2026-04-01
Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
The purpose of this assignment is to support the effective implementation, coordination, and monitoring of UNHCR’s public health interventions across Sudan, ensuring that refugees, asylum seekers,and host communities have sustained access to essential and life‑saving health services. The Senior Public Health Associate will strengthen primary and secondary healthcare delivery, reproductive health, nutrition, MHPSS services, disease surveillance, and outbreak response. Key measurable outputs include timely assessment and analytical reports (monthly and quarterly), partner monitoring and technical support missions, proper use and reporting through the UNHCR Health Information System, and effective coordination of medical supply requests and delivery tracking. The qualitative and quantitative impact indicators include improved service availability, increased utilization of essential healthcare, strengthened epidemic detection and response, and measurable reduction in preventable morbidity and mortality among displaced populations.
The scope of the assignment further includes supporting program planning, partner capacity building, inter‑sectoral coordination, risk analysis, and emergency health response, ensuring alignment with UNHCR public health standards, Ministry of Health policies, and international guidelines. Performance indicators will be based on the quality and timeliness of deliverables, accuracy of health data analysis, timely escalation of risks, responsiveness during outbreaks and new arrivals, and the overall value and efficiency of technical support provided. The work plan foresees regular participation in coordination forums, monthly partner monitoring, quarterly field missions, weekly epidemiological updates, and ongoing emergency preparedness activities. Upon completion of the contract, expected results include improved quality and continuity of health services, stronger partner capacity, enhanced community engagement, and better‑coordinated national and humanitarian health response mechanisms.
Operational Context:
Sudan’s internal health landscape has deteriorated significantly since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, resulting in the near collapse of essential health services across many states. Health infrastructure has been severely damaged, numerous hospitals and clinics have ceased functioning in conflict‑affected areas, and critical shortages of medical supplies, health personnel, and functional referral systems persist. This situation directly affects the more than 859,000 refugees and asylum-seekers who remain in Sudan, many of whom have been repeatedly displaced within the country due to ongoing violence. Over 265,000 refugees have become internally displaced, placing additional pressure on already overstretched health facilities and humanitarian services. As a result, refugees face substantial barriers in accessing routine and emergency healthcare, including maternal and neonatal services, trauma care, chronic disease management, and prevention and response to infectious disease outbreaks.
The conflict has further disrupted public infrastructure, supply chains, and essential service delivery systems, contributing to rising malnutrition, increased risk of communicable diseases, and the deterioration of reproductive, maternal, and child health services. Widespread insecurity, the breakdown of law and order, and attacks on civilian infrastructure continue to impede humanitarian access to refugee‑hosting areas. With the collapse of the health system in many regions, refugees experience reduced vaccination coverage, inconsistent availability of essential medicines, weakened disease surveillance, and limited access to functional health facilities. Strengthening health services in refugee‑hosting states, maintaining access despite insecurity, and restoring system functionality are therefore critical priorities for humanitarian operations in Sudan.
The Senior Public Health Associate is a member of a multidisciplinary team and contributes to ensuring that UNHCR’s public health programmes meet minimum UNHCR and global standards to reduce avoidable morbidity and mortality among forcibly displaced and stateless populations, including internally displaced people affected by the conflict in Sudan, and to advance progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Public health programmes include primary and secondary healthcare, sexual and reproductive health (including HIV), nutrition, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), and emergency public health interventions in complex operational settings.
Based at the Country Office in Port Sudan, the Senior Public Health Associate supports health operations across field locations, ensuring effective coordination with partners, national health authorities, and inter‑agency mechanisms engaged in the humanitarian health response. The incumbent plays a key role in providing technical guidance, monitoring service quality delivered by partners, analysing health trends, and ensuring timely and appropriate interventions in response to evolving health needs in Sudan.
S/he contributes to advancing the principles of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), including the inclusion of refugees and other forcibly displaced populations in national health programmes and systems, in alignment with Sudan’s health sector structure and the broader humanitarian response architecture. The Senior Public Health Associate is supervised by the Operations Officer.
DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENGAGED INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT HOLDER
Based at the Country Office in Port Sudan, the Senior Public Health Associate supports the effective implementation of health operations across field locations and contributes to coordinated, high‑quality public health programming. The role ensures that health interventions are aligned with UNHCR standards, national policies, and sectoral priorities, while strengthening partnerships, supporting emergency response, and enhancing access to essential health services for refugees and host communities.
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.
Key Duties:
• Support the implementation of public health programmes with partners and health authorities in a coordinated, multi‑sectoral manner.
• Contribute to public health programming that enhances refugee inclusion and access to national health systems.
• Participate in relevant coordination and collaboration mechanisms as requested.
• Participate in emergency responses to new refugee influxes and disease outbreaks.
• Support the collection and analysis of information for assessments and identification of needs.
• Work closely with programme and other relevant units on programme planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• Support intersectoral collaboration throughout all stages of the programme cycle to promote synergies and maximize impact.
• Ensure the implementation and proper use of the UNHCR Health Information System tools and surveys, including analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
• Undertake and/or support capacity strengthening of partners to ensure the technical integrity of public health programmes.
• Support the identification and management of risks, integrating risk-based decision-making and escalating concerns to supervisors or relevant colleagues when needed.
• Support public health emergency preparedness and response planning.
• Support the technical integrity of healthcare services, ensuring alignment with Ministry of Health, UNHCR, and internationally recognized standards and policies.
• Support partners in preparing and processing medicine and medical supply orders.
• Ensure community engagement and participation in all phases of health programming.
• Monitor and support compliance with the UNHCR Public Health Administrative Instructions and standard operating procedures.
• Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Certificates and/or Licenses
Nursing, Public Health, Epidemiology
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Essential
o Experience in managing health projects with strong NCD components is an advantage
o Experience in public health programming as well as understanding of health systems and health systems building blocks.
o Experience with data collection and analysis and in position(s) where the ability to draft clear, concise documentation was essential.
o Experience working with refugees and/or in emergency settings would be desirable.
o Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities and principles
o Excellent writing and reporting English skills.
Desirable
o Experience in public health emergency preparedness and response.
o Experience in humanitarian settings.
o Experience with coordination and stakeholder engagement to achieve public health goals.
o Experience with health information systems.
o Experience with the provision of quality-assured medicines and medical supplies
Functional Skills
PM-Project monitoring and evaluation
PH-Public Health Epidemiology
MD- HIV/AIDS situation management
MD-Reproductive Health
PH-Community Health - Health Data Collection/Analysis/Interpretation
Language Requirements
Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
Competency Requirements
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Cross-Functional Competencies
Planning and Organizing
Stakeholder Management
Technological Awareness
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
,
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Other information
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Remote
No