Health Specialist – Ukraine

The Health Specialist provides technical leadership and operational support for the health components of EMERGENCY’s programme in Ukraine.  

The role ensures the technical quality and coherence of community-based activities, primary healthcare support, mobile services, screening, and referral pathways within an integrated continuity of care model, adapted to the needs of conflict-affected areas, and aligned with the Ukrainian health system. 

The Health Specialist works in close collaboration with the Field Coordinator and the PHC Focal Point. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Health Specialist’s duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following areas: 

Technical coordination and continuity of care 

• Provide technical oversight of all health-related activities implemented within the Ukraine programme, ensuring coherence between community interventions, PHC facilities, mobile units, hospitals and specialist services.  
• Support the implementation and consolidation of EMERGENCY’s integrated continuity of care model, linking Community Health Workers, nurses, feldshers, PHCCs, hospitals, mobile units and referral services.  
• Develop, review and monitor referral and counter-referral pathways for priority health needs, including non communicable diseases, infectious diseases, emergency conditions, trauma, MHPSS needs and vulnerable patients requiring follow up.  
• Ensure the technical integration of CHWs with PHC, hospitals, MHPSS and social services. 

• Identify technical barriers affecting access, referral completion and follow-up, and recommend corrective actions. 

Screening, referral and linkage to care 

• Provide technical oversight of communicable disease screening activities.  
• Support community engagement, risk identification, mobile screening, referral, linkage to care and follow up. 
• Coordinate technically with hospitals, universities, public health institutions and local health authorities.  
• Monitor screening cascades from identification and testing to referral and care. 

Quality, tools and clinical standards 

• Develop, review and standardize protocols, SOPs, health education materials, screening tools, triage procedures, referral forms and follow up mechanisms. 
• Monitor the technical quality and appropriateness of health activities. 
• Conduct technical field visits and recommend corrective actions. 
• Ensure that activities remain within staff competencies and professional boundaries. 

Health Facility and Hospital Support 

• Conduct health facility assessments and technical gap analyses. 
• Develop recommendations on equipment, medicines, consumables, rehabilitation and service strengthening. 
• Define technical specifications and priorities for health-related procurement. 
• Monitor the technical relevance and appropriate use of support provided to health facilities. 

Technical supervision and capacity building 

• Provide technical supervision and guidance and mentoring to health and community staff, including field officers, CHWs, feldschers, and MHPSS staff 
• Identify training needs and provide the Field Coordinator with input on staff competencies and performance. 
• Support case discussions and technical problem-solving. 
• Develop or review training materials for CHWs, field staff and health professionals. 
• Support preparedness activities, including first aid, BLS-D, emergency referral, handover and management of time-sensitive conditions 
• Provide technical input to simulations, drills and practical exercises. 

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies 

• Support the Procurement Specialist with forecasting and technical planning for medicines, medical consumables and health-related supplies. 
• Review health-related requests and confirm their technical relevance. 
• Coordinate with logistics and procurement teams on technical specifications. 

Health Data, Reporting, and Learning 

• Work with the Data Officer and relevant teams to define and monitor health indicators. 
• Analyse service coverage, screening, referrals, follow-up and quality-of-care data. 
• Translate findings into technical recommendations and programme improvements. 
• Contribute to donor reporting, project development, research and technical learning. 

 Technical Coordination with Authorities and Partners 

• Strengthen technical collaboration with PHC facilities, hospitals, universities, public health institutions and NGOs.
• Participate in technical meetings when requested by the Field Coordinator. 
• Provide technical input to agreements, joint activities and health-system strengthening initiatives. 

 

REQUIRED PROFILE

• Medical doctor, nurse, public health professional or equivalent health background.
• Relevant field experience in humanitarian health programmes, preferably in conflict affected or emergency settings.
• Experience in primary care, community health, referral systems, health system strengthening or infectious disease programmes.
• Strong understanding of continuity of care, community based care and integration between health service levels.
• Experience in supervision, training and coordination of multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work with health authorities, hospitals, PHC providers, academic partners and humanitarian actors.
• Good analytical skills and ability to use programme data for operational decision making.
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is an asset.

 

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strong field coordination skills.
• Practical problem solving attitude.
• Ability to work in complex and fast changing environments.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills.
• Capacity to translate technical guidance into simple operational tools.
• Commitment to EMERGENCY’s principles and to equitable access to quality healthcare.

HOW TO APPLY

For further information and inquiries (not for applications): fo.recruiting@emergency.it. To apply, please complete the on-line application form: applications sent to this e-mail account will not be considered.

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