Mission and objectives

The WHO Office in the occupied Palestinian territory is the principal technical adviser to the Palestinian Ministry of Health providing advice and support to strengthen health services, ad-dress public health issues and promote research for health. WHO is also lead of the humanitarian Health and Nutrition Cluster, coordinating the assistance provided by international and local partners to the health sector. WHO employs approximately 45 staff at its offices in West Bank and Gaza, including international and local professionals with expertise in medicine, public health nursing and other specialties. As the lead health agency, WHO works with many partners, including United Nations agencies, donors, nongovernmental organizations, universities and the private sector to sup-port the Palestinian Authority to reach their national health development goals and to ensure that efforts of all these organizations are coordinated.

Context

The objectives of the Mental Health (MH) program is to strengthen Mental Health Services, ensure that the Mental Health Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS) emergency planning and response is implemented and coordinated between partners; integrate MH into health facilities, build the capacity of health professionals, raise the community’s awareness of mental health. The Volunteer will work under the supervision of the Mental Health team lead in WHO oPt to support the MH programmes, activities, reporting, documentation and to strengthen the collaboration with health partners (MoH, UNRWA, other cluster agencies and stakeholders).

Task Description

Under the supervision of the Mental Health Team Lead in WHO Jerusalem office: • Support effective communication and engagement with MoH in Gaza to enhance planning and implementation of MH activities. • Propose draft design of ad hoc surveys and assessments and assist in their implementation to generate evidence on health needs and emerging events/challenges. • Monitor the implementation of WHO MH activities and programmes and prepare reports on implementation progress, potential delays and challenges. • Support MH officer and coordinator in Gaza to gather, compile, and consolidate health/MH response data from partners and focal points (such as 5Ws submissions, HSP updates) using agreed templates/tools and reporting schedules. • Monitor the availability of Psychotropics through the WHO OSL (Operations and Supply) dashboard, follow up with related partners on the psychotropics needs and ensure the submission of WHO’s timely requests for the needed drugs along with the preparation of distribution plans. • Monitor partner reporting processes, through delivering orientations, reminders, and follow-ups to facilitate completeness and timeliness. • Perform reporting activities and tasks for donors, EMRO and HQ in support to MH Team Lead Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;

Competencies and values

o Agility o Accountability o Adaptability and flexibility o Planning and organising o Judgement and decision-making o Integrity and professionalism o Self-management o Commitment to continuous learning o Communication and interpersonal skills o Teamwork and collaboration o Cultural sensitivity and inclusiveness

Living conditions and remarks

The assignment is designated as a remote national UN Volunteer position; accordingly, the UN Volunteer shall be solely responsible for securing and maintaining appropriate housing and covering all related living arrangements and expenses. The initial contract duration shall be six (6) months, with any subsequent extensions subject to the availability of funding, operational requirements, and the satisfactory performance of the UN Volunteer. A monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) shall be provided to contribute toward housing, utilities, and standard living expenses. In addition, the UN Volunteer shall be entitled to life, health, and permanent disability insurance coverage (including health insurance for up to three eligible dependents), as well as an exit allowance, contingent upon satisfactory completion of service.