Occupational Health & Safety Officer

Organizational Context

The UN in Uganda faces health and security hazards for its personnel. This Occupational Health & Safety Officer role, administered by UNDP as part of UN Common Services, ensures implementation of UN Medical Directors' health risk management recommendations. The role facilitates medical evacuations and coordinates health interventions. It reports to the Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative, and technically to the Chief of Medical Service, aligning with UNMD policies.

Job Purpose

This role addresses gaps identified in the UN Medical Directors’ Health Risk Management Recommendations. The OHS Coordinator, under the UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Representative, and UNMD Medical Director's technical guidance, is responsible for implementing and monitoring preventive medical actions and responses. This includes mitigation measures for mandatory health support elements and disease outbreaks. The incumbent will enhance UN personnel's access to healthcare, implementing evidence-based interventions, training, and prevention to safeguard physical and mental health. Key contributions involve developing and maintaining health support coordination mechanisms among UN Medical Directors, Medical Services, UNDSS, and the Occupational Health and Safety Committee. The role also ensures medical facilities used by UN personnel meet UN Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety standards, promoting health and preventing hazards.

Responsibilities

Medical Case Coordination & Oversight: Act as the in-country focal point for medical emergencies and MEDEVACs, providing 24/7 operational, logistical, and administrative support. Facilitate communication between stakeholders, manage in-country medical referrals, and coordinate specialized care for personnel and dependents. Collaborate with UN Medical Officers on clinical management and follow-up, and manage communication with local healthcare providers for case management and contact tracing. Monitor occupational health service utilization and organize health education and promotion activities. Health Support to UN Operations: Conduct Duty Station Health Risk Assessments and Mandatory Health Support Elements assessments, monitoring risk levels and documenting findings. Coordinate and monitor the implementation of Health Support Plans, update MHSE status, and assess local healthcare facilities to develop medical referral pathways. Develop SOPs for medical evacuations, collaborate with UNDSS on emergency response plans (CASEVAC, MEDEVAC, MCI), and assist in business continuity planning. Provide advice on medical coordination to OMT, UNCT, and UNRC, and prepare reports. Information Management & Reporting: Ensure medical confidentiality, maintain medical records in EarthMEd, and manage the medical database. Plan and report on budgets for Health Support Coordination Unit objectives, and develop key performance indicators for health support performance. Advisory & Liaison: Coordinate regularly with UN Medical Directors, oversee workplace health communications, and advise UNRC, OMT, and senior management on healthcare matters, policies, and crisis response. Ensure OSH Committee representation and organize health education. Supervise the Occupational Health & Safety Associate.

Work Experience

A minimum of 2 years (with Master's) or 4 years (with Bachelor's) of relevant national or international experience is required. This must include at least 4 years in the humanitarian sector, specifically in Occupational Health and Public Health, with clinical and project management experience. Essential experience includes healthcare management, supervision, and coordination of medical teams. Desirable experience covers trauma/emergency care, internal medicine, UN field experience in occupational health, humanitarian crises, infectious diseases, international medical experience, and coordination/managerial roles with budgeting and resource management. Proficiency in MS Office and web-based management systems is also required.

Skills

Core Competencies: Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion. Cross-Functional & Technical: System Thinking, Strategic Thinking, Resource Management, Customer Satisfaction/Client Management, Communication, Portfolio Management, Risk Management. Functional Skills: UN healthcare policies, health facility quality assessment, health risk assessments, public health surveillance, occupational health and safety risk control, medical evacuation planning, project management (monitoring, evaluation, lifecycle).

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