Job summary
This post is sits within UKHSA's Global Operations Division, led by the Director of Global Operations. Global Operations supports the delivery of UKHSA's Global Health Strategy. It provides a corporate service to UKHSA supporting the oversight, coordination and delivery of UKHSA's international activity and working with UK government departments and other UK partners to build and strengthen international public health links. The division also maintains its own extensive portfolio of global health programs and projects, focusing on technical capacity building and health system strengthening in partner countries
The International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project IHR strengthening project is an Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded project designed to improve IHR capability in selected countries and regions with medium and long-term activities taking place through partnerships with National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) in several countries in Africa and Asia. The project's first implementation phase (2016-2021) is now complete and the second funding cycle (2022-2025) will commence April 2022. The project has a triple mandate to build technical capability, strengthen leadership and develop sustainable public health systems. It does this through working at national level in partnerships with NPHIs and Ministries and at a regional level with regional bodies such as Africa CDC and EMPHNET as well as regional WHO.
Main duties of the job
We are recruiting the IHR project in-country lead for Ethiopia, to be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The post holder will be responsible for coordinating UKHSA's in-country activities in Ethiopia, working with the Government of Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute to develop IHR capabilities. The post holder will also be responsible for linking with other partners and organisations in Ethiopia, identifying opportunities for sustainability and for coordinating technical input from across UK Health Security Agency.
This post will be based within the British Embassy in Addis and will be designated as an official of HMG.
The post holder will possess diplomatic skills and an ability to engage with Ministers, senior Government and other donor or development agency officials at a high level. We are seeking individuals with both technical knowledge and international relations capability, able to demonstrate both UKHSA and Civil Services competencies and ways of working.
As such, the post holder will be a skilled negotiator, with experience of managing complex stakeholder environments. The post holder will either be a medical consultant or have an equivalent degree. Previous experience of working in low or middle income countries is essential, ideally in Sub-Saharan Africa.
About us
At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.
Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The postholder will be responsible for delivering and coordinating the delivery of a number of outputs agreed by the Head of the IHR-S project in UKHSA and in alignment with partners priorities. Specific work plans will be agreed in consultation with UKHSA IHR-S Head of project.
Core duties and responsibilities will include the following:
- Advising on and providing technical support to public health partners and organisations in Ethiopia where a need has been expressed.
- Demonstrate strong diplomacy skills in engaging with senior leaders, ministers, senior government officials and other donor or development agency representatives.
- Proactively influence and negotiate in order to develop and manage effective key relationships with local and other international stakeholders.
- Ensure the delivery of UKHSAs project to strengthen IHR compliance in Ethiopia.
- Under the direction of the IHR-S Head of project, provide advice and guidance on UKHSA activities in Ethiopia, and in consultation with the IHR-S Head of Project and partner organisations, set objectives for the UKHSA IHR-S project in Ethiopia.
- Work with the projects UK based program and project managers and support team in the coordination of key project activities e.g. international training and events, international deployments and procurement; supporting with maintenance of project documentation, progress and risk trackers and finance records as required.
- Report writing and communication of activities and deliverables as required by Head of IHR-S Project and in line with Ways of Working document/timelines e.g. quarterly reporting, input to weekly meetings, quarterly technical working group meetings, etc.
- Host technical experts from across UKHSA, HMG and external partners (e.g. Faculty of Public Health) on their visits to deliver specific technical expertise for aspects of the project as required/identified.
- Representing the Ethiopia components of the IHR-S project at internal and external meetings as directed by, or in partnership with, the IHR- S Head of project
- Report, publication writing and communication of programme activities and deliverables
- Possible additional general responsibilities such as mentoring public health professionals in Ethiopia/ other organisations as relevant.
- Carrying out other functions in line with professional capabilities as agreed with line management.
Option 3 External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Job description
Job responsibilities
The postholder will be responsible for delivering and coordinating the delivery of a number of outputs agreed by the Head of the IHR-S project in UKHSA and in alignment with partners priorities. Specific work plans will be agreed in consultation with UKHSA IHR-S Head of project.
Core duties and responsibilities will include the following:
- Advising on and providing technical support to public health partners and organisations in Ethiopia where a need has been expressed.
- Demonstrate strong diplomacy skills in engaging with senior leaders, ministers, senior government officials and other donor or development agency representatives.
- Proactively influence and negotiate in order to develop and manage effective key relationships with local and other international stakeholders.
- Ensure the delivery of UKHSAs project to strengthen IHR compliance in Ethiopia.
- Under the direction of the IHR-S Head of project, provide advice and guidance on UKHSA activities in Ethiopia, and in consultation with the IHR-S Head of Project and partner organisations, set objectives for the UKHSA IHR-S project in Ethiopia.
- Work with the projects UK based program and project managers and support team in the coordination of key project activities e.g. international training and events, international deployments and procurement; supporting with maintenance of project documentation, progress and risk trackers and finance records as required.
- Report writing and communication of activities and deliverables as required by Head of IHR-S Project and in line with Ways of Working document/timelines e.g. quarterly reporting, input to weekly meetings, quarterly technical working group meetings, etc.
- Host technical experts from across UKHSA, HMG and external partners (e.g. Faculty of Public Health) on their visits to deliver specific technical expertise for aspects of the project as required/identified.
- Representing the Ethiopia components of the IHR-S project at internal and external meetings as directed by, or in partnership with, the IHR- S Head of project
- Report, publication writing and communication of programme activities and deliverables
- Possible additional general responsibilities such as mentoring public health professionals in Ethiopia/ other organisations as relevant.
- Carrying out other functions in line with professional capabilities as agreed with line management.
Option 3 External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate qualification in Public Health (e.g. MPH) or related field
- Inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List/UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists
- Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements (i.e. be up to date) in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognised body if applicable
- MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working in Global Public Health
- Significant experience working in Public Health at a senior level or a related discipline since specialisation and experience of working at regional or national level in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Previous experience of working in Low- and Middle-income countries at a strategic level, engaging with, and influencing, directors and senior politicians.
- Experience of public health systems in developing countries and demonstrable experience in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response and health protection
- High level of understanding of surveillance, epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health system development.
Desirable
- Understanding of UK public health system
- Scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc.
Skills & Capabilities
Essential
- Excellent oral, written and presentation communication skills (including dealing with the media and engaging with a wide range of diverse audiences)
- Ability to design, develop, interpret and implement policies.
- Exceptional interpersonal, motivational and influencing skills; effective negotiator with practical expectation of what can be achieved
- Computer literate
- Training and mentoring skills
- Resource and project management skills with the ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances
- Understanding of global health including the health challenges of low- and middle-income countries and the international health architecture and knowledge of global health security architecture such as the WHO International Health Regulations (2005), and integrated disease surveillance and response systems
Equality & Diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate qualification in Public Health (e.g. MPH) or related field
- Inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List/UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists
- Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements (i.e. be up to date) in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognised body if applicable
- MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working in Global Public Health
- Significant experience working in Public Health at a senior level or a related discipline since specialisation and experience of working at regional or national level in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Previous experience of working in Low- and Middle-income countries at a strategic level, engaging with, and influencing, directors and senior politicians.
- Experience of public health systems in developing countries and demonstrable experience in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response and health protection
- High level of understanding of surveillance, epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health system development.
Desirable
- Understanding of UK public health system
- Scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc.
Skills & Capabilities
Essential
- Excellent oral, written and presentation communication skills (including dealing with the media and engaging with a wide range of diverse audiences)
- Ability to design, develop, interpret and implement policies.
- Exceptional interpersonal, motivational and influencing skills; effective negotiator with practical expectation of what can be achieved
- Computer literate
- Training and mentoring skills
- Resource and project management skills with the ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances
- Understanding of global health including the health challenges of low- and middle-income countries and the international health architecture and knowledge of global health security architecture such as the WHO International Health Regulations (2005), and integrated disease surveillance and response systems
Equality & Diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
