Public Health Specialist (HIV/mpox)

The World Health Organization serves as the directing and coordinating authority for public health within the United Nations system. WHO seeks to promote health, ensure everyone can attain the highest level of health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable through partnerships, people and countries.

The World Health Organization works with its Member States to (1) achieve universal coverage, (2) protect people from emergencies and (3) make sure that people enjoy better health and wellbeing. The Regional office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) supports its 22 Member States towards this objective. The department of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Communicable Diseases (DCD) works towards implementation of a UHC approach to the control, elimination or eradication of communicable diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, STIs, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and vaccine preventable diseases. It also includes two cross cutting technical units working on antimicrobial resistance and on public health laboratory services.
The United Nations Volunteers would work in the HIV, Hepatitis and STIs (HAS) Unit to support the coordination between HAS unit and WHO emergencies focal points responsible for leading the mpox response and RCCE activities. The UNV will support WHO efforts with national HIV programs, community-based organizations and regional peer group networks to promote community mobilization and integration of mpox response in existing programmes.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Regional Advisor HAS Unit or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV will support the coordination between HAS Unit and WHO emergencies focal points responsible for leading the mpox response and RCCE activities. The UNV will support WHO efforts with national HIV programmes, community-based organizations and regional peer group networks to promote community mobilization and integration of mpox response in existing programmes.

Output 1: Provide coordination across WHE and HAS on RCCE and community engagement activities:-
Deliverable 1.1: Liaise closely with WHE mpox RCCE pillar lead to harmonize RCCE and community engagement activities across teams;
Deliverable 1.2: Participate in weekly mpox IMST meetings and provide relevant updates;
Deliverable 1.3: Support HAS team in providing technical support and advice to member states in mpox response;
Deliverable 1.4: Identify and support joint activities between HAS and WHE on RCCE and effective community engagement at regional and country level.

Output 2: Support the community mobilization and engagement of regional peer group networks for engagement in mpox response:-
Deliverable 2.1: Engage with regional and national community-based organizations, civil society organizations and networks to mobilize them to contribute to mpox response;
Deliverable 2.2: Develop and disseminate tailored awareness and information messages for risk groups including key populations;
Deliverable 2.3: Support national and regional RCCE campaigns to raise awareness towards mpox.

Output 3: Facilitate the integration of mpox response into national HIV/STI programs:-
Deliverable 3.1: Conduct a rapid assessment of inclusion of mpox response into national HIV/STI programmes
Deliverable 3.2: Support HAS team in conducting consultations with national HIV/STI programmes to identify challenges and opportunities for integration of mpox into existing programmes
Deliverable 3.3: Develop a framework and guiding principles for integration of mpox response into existing programmes
Deliverable 3.4: Disseminate the findings and the framework

Output 4: Improve the capacity of members states and community groups in responding to mpox emergency:-
Deliverable 4.1: Conduct in-depth analysis of case-based mpox data at regional level and develop reports.
Deliverable 4.2: Provide critical review of national, regional and global policy documents related to mpox.
Deliverable 4.3: Collect and disseminate best practices and country case examples.
Deliverable 4.4: Support the organization and facilitation of training workshops, meetings, webinars and research on mpox.

Output 5: Any other tasks requested by the Regional Advisor:-
Deliverable 5.1: Contribute to activities in HIV, hepatitis and STIs and other related activities in DCD as and when needed.