The Health Assistant contributes to the calling of Medical Teams International by preparing and presenting health education sessions to the population as well as mobilization activities related to public health, mobilise the community to adopt healthy lifestyle through strengthening health promotion, and disease prevention. This role leads implementation of EPI outreaches, nutrition services, reproductive health services, disease surveillance and outbreak response at community level.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise, coordinate, and work with VHTs to implement community health interventions. Organise and conduct community feedback sessions, e.g. listening session, dialogue meeting, focused group discussions in collaboration with health facilities and public health officer to strengthen community participation in project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. 
• Collaborate with the Public Health Officer to develop and implement health promotion, disease preventive interventions in the community for EPI, HIV/AIDS, WASH, child welfare, family planning, disease prevention, and other topics.
• Maintain relationships with community partners and coordinate local level activities that support community health.
• Lead the selection and capacity building, and provide routine supervision of VHTs to ensure effective functionality of community health program.
• Prepare materials and deliver health education sessions.
• Strengthen linkage of health facilities to the community through regular feedbacks and facilitate access to healthcare
• Collaborate with other stakeholders in the community to ensure uptake of services
• Conduct disease surveillance activities to predict outbreaks.
• Identify people with medical problems and contact medical team to make referrals.
• Carry out home visits based on referrals of health workers and volunteers.
• Analyse data and submit reports as per schedule. 
• Ensure that medical practices are conducted with the highest level of integrity and ethics according to professional and Medical Teams Code of Conduct.  

Other Duties: 

• Ensure the Safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding code of conduct and behavior expectations
• Utilize volunteers when appropriate.
• Additional duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, LICENSES & CERTIFICICATIONS

Required:

• Diploma in Environmental Health Science or Environmental Science
• Registration with Allied Health Professionals 
• Valid practicing licence.
• Valid driving license

Preferred:

• Certificate in Environmental Health Science, registered and licensed by Professional Council                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Minimum of 1 year of experience implementing public and environmental health drives

Preferred:

• Experience working with INGOs or in a humanitarian setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITITES

Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of public health interventions including EPI, HIV/AIDS, WASH, nutrition, family planning and outbreak prevention and response
• Knowledge of behaviour change methods

Skills:

• Skilled in developing relationships to strengthen social support networks and using behaviour change strategies to mobilize community members to take ownership of healthcare needs
• Skilled in presenting information to groups
• Skilled in data analysis and writing reports
• Skilled at using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Skilled at building and maintaining a high functioning, high performing work team
• Excellent interpersonal, relational and communication skills
• A good command of both written and spoken English

Abilities:

• Commitment to Medical Teams International Calling Statement and Core Values: Courageous, Tenacious, Accountable, Selfless, and Not Alone
• Ability to exercise considerable initiative to plan, organize and follow through to meet deadlines
• Committed to high ethical standards
• Ability to work collaboratively with others

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent use of a computer, databases and digital platforms, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and computer printer.
• Frequently uses hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, touch or feel equipment, medical instruments, materials, computer.
• Frequent communication and exchange of information among colleagues and persons of concern which requires the ability to speak, hear, convey and express oneself.
• Frequent close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, steps, or ladder depending on the role.
• Occasionally move about inside an office to access file cabinets, office machinery, meet with colleagues, etc.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move heavy items
• Seldom to occasionally position oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• If in travel status, occasional to frequent traversing over rough or steep terrain in either a motor vehicle or on foot.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• The employee may be required to travel to remote areas of the world where there are potential health hazards and risks, limited hygiene facilities, extreme weather, and very basic living conditions.

NOTE: 

• The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of staff in this position. Duties, responsibilities and skills are also subject to change based on the changing needs of the job, department or organization. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by Medical Teams International as the requirements of the job change.

• Medical Teams International is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share the same commitment. We believe every stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation – regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Therefore, our recruitment process includes extensive reference and background checks, self-disclosure of prior issues regarding sexual or other misconduct and criminal records and our values are a part of our Performance Management System.

• Medical Teams International Uganda is an equal opportunity employer and DOES NOT at any stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind. Further, Medical Teams International Uganda DOES NOT retain any agent to conduct recruitments on behalf of the organization. Please note that under NO circumstances shall Medical Teams International Uganda be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages, expenses or other inconvenience resulting from or in any way connected to the actions of fraudsters and other false agents.