Public Health Officer

Action against Hunger is an international non-governmental, private, apolitical, non-religious and non-profit organization created in 1979. Its goal is to combat hunger and dangerous situations that threaten men, women, and children. Currently 500 expats and more than 5,000 employees are working for Action against Hunger in more than forty-six countries working in projects concerning four areas of focus: nutrition, health, food security and water and sanitation. 

In Lebanon, the Syrian crisis continues to generate political, social, and economic pressure due to the war in Lebanon and keeps more than 1.5 million refugees in a situation of increasing vulnerability. In this environment of political, economic and social uncertainty, our teams have maintained their high levels of humanitarian response and aid to Lebanon. Likewise, our interventions have been maintained in the Bekaa and northern areas, as well as in the south of the country, with a special focus on working in partnership or in consortium with other organizations and on institutional strengthening of the relationship with both donors. institutional, such as with local authorities and entities. 

Objective 1: Design and Implement public health interventions in the South area  (60%)

Collaborate with the team to implement public health response activities in collective shelters and at community level.

Participate in the analysis and reflection of the overall health situation in South Lebanon 

Participate in assessments and selection of PHC facilities aligned with the AAH PHC facilities selection SOP if needed 

Develop in collaboration with the health and nutrition team the curriculum related to public health intervention specifically the topics related to communicable diseases (respiratory infections and water borne diseases) and early detection of outbreaks.  

Guide and implement activities, monitor progress, and recommend improvements

Assess the public health needs at collective shelters for IDPs, analyze the epidemiological trend in the areas of interventions, and make the necessary referrals to the ESU if an outbreak risk is identified

Provide guidance on the selection of the of health promotion and disease prevention activities 

Identify inequities, gaps in the delivery of health services or emergency interventions, recommending appropriate actions and innovative approaches to improve the situation.

Objective 2: Train, supervise and monitor the community volunteers (20%)

Participate in the selection of community health volunteers, including conducting technical tests and interviews.

Ensure the quality of trainings and provide supportive supervision to the Community volunteers to improve the quality of awareness raising sessions

Monitor and provide support for implementation improvement plans through regular visit at the implementation sites and ensure the quality of services provided by the volunteers 

Ensure the community volunteers in collaboration with the Public Health Officer, can recognize epidemiological trends, and early warning signs and provide appropriate reports on this.  

Objective 3: Coordination and Representation (10%)

Participate in coordination health meetings related to the South when requested by the Nutrition Head of Project 

Ensure compliance principles and the Humanitarian Program Cycle in delivering Action Against Hunger’s health response

Engage in teamwork with Head of Base and Department Heads in other technical areas to develop an integrated multi-sectoral approach

Coordinate with the Head of project to map other health care institutions, social service organizations, or other agencies present in the catchment area to enhance and foster holistic care through patient referrals.

Objective 4: Quality monitoring and ensuring accountability to affected populations (10%)

Ensure compliance with national MoPH protocols and AAH national and international standards and guidelines

Participate in providing support in ensuring a well-functioning and accessible complaint and feedback mechanism is in place at implementation sites

Ensure protections principles are integrated and adopted by the community health volunteers. 

Ensure confidentiality is respected at all levels.

Objective 5:  Security 

To respect the security rules specified in the mission and base security plan, see to it that the team under his/her responsibility complies with the security plan and perform the security management tasks that can be assigned in its protocols

To communicate to the security managers of the working location any security related information or non-compliance with the security plan

Objective 6: Support humanitarian activities of Action Against Hunger

Support the emergency interventions of the organization as per the employee’s abilities.

Support any activity that helps reaching our humanitarian goals, as per the employee’s abilities.

ACF employees will show commitment to human rights principles, gender equality and non-discrimination approach in all their work

Objective 7: Gender & Safeguarding (cross-cutting)

Promote safe and equitable environments, through knowledge and application of the protocol against harassment and gender policy.

Knowledge and compliance with safeguarding policy.

Promote gender equality within the humanitarian and/or development work

Training/ Education: Bachelor’s degree in nursing, public health, or other relevant degree. 

Technical specific knowledge: Primary health care, reproductive health, public health, care practices, immunization.  

Previous experience: 2 years of previous related experience in health and in Lebanon, including knowledge of national regulations communicable diseases, and health referral pathways. Experience with complex programming highly desirable  and experience in nutrition programs is desirable.

Humanitarian sector knowledge: At least 2 years’ experience in humanitarian or developmental sector in Lebanon or training in emergency response or disaster management in the context of public health

Action Against the Hunger knowledge: Previous knowledge of Action Against Hunger policies, strategy and previous interventions in Lebanon is an asset

Languages: Native Arabic (compulsory) - English – fluent (compulsory)

IT and specific systems: Good skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and good skills in smart phones

Mobility (national/ international): National

Action against Hunger is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work such as but not limited to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and/or financial misconduct; We expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through endorsing our code of conduct and other related policies and only those who share our values and code of conduct will be recruited to work for us.