Technical Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, WHO plays a crucial role in coordinating global health responses and setting health standards. The organization focuses on various health issues, including disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency response, aiming to ensure that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest possible level of health.

Job Overview:
The Technical Officer position within the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care (PPC) is pivotal in advancing the organization's mission to improve global health. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Officer, facilitating coordination of cross-cutting technical activities and fostering collaboration on shared projects. This role involves supporting scientific collaborations, developing high-quality technical briefs, and ensuring the coherence and technical accuracy of reports. The Technical Officer will also lead evidence synthesis efforts to inform policy and technical guidance, providing editorial support for high-level documents and liaising with regional and country offices to ensure the relevance and uptake of technical outputs. The position requires a proactive approach to engage with multiple stakeholders and contribute to WHO's scientific agenda, ultimately aiming to address today's health burdens and prepare for future challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a variety of duties, including:

• Facilitating coordination of cross-cutting technical activities within the division and fostering collaboration on shared projects and initiatives.
• Supporting the coordination of scientific collaboration by facilitating partnerships across divisions and coordinating the joint production of technical guidance, tools, and publications.
• Developing high-quality technical briefs and scientific evidence summaries to support decision-making processes.
• Coordinating technical inputs for Division Office reports by soliciting, compiling, and integrating contributions from various teams to ensure coherence and technical accuracy.
• Leading scoping and rapid reviews to synthesize evidence that informs policy and technical guidance, particularly in support of high-level initiatives.
• Providing editorial support and conducting technical and scientific reviews for briefing notes prepared for senior leadership on division technical areas in preparation for high-level events and meetings.
• Engaging with regional and country offices to ensure the relevance and uptake of technical outputs produced by the division.
• Performing other technical duties as assigned by supervisors to support divisional priorities and WHO's scientific agenda.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's level or higher) in public health, medicine, or a related health-science field. A PhD in a health or public health discipline is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in international public health, including engagement with WHO or comparable global health agencies. Experience in coordinating global health activities and leading public health projects is also desirable. Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional team activities and engage with multiple stakeholders is essential, along with experience in evidence retrieval, literature reviews, and technical product development. Excellent writing, editorial, and analytical skills are required, as well as demonstrated management capabilities, such as mentoring junior staff or interns.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (master's level or higher) in public health, medicine, or a related health-science field. A PhD in a relevant discipline is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in international public health. This experience should include engagement with WHO or comparable global health agencies, demonstrating a strong understanding of public health issues and the ability to coordinate activities across different levels. Experience in a 'front-desk' office coordinating global health activities and leading public health projects is also desirable, showcasing the candidate's capability to manage complex health initiatives effectively.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is essential for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within WHO. Intermediate knowledge of French is desirable, as it can facilitate communication with French-speaking stakeholders and enhance collaboration across different regions.

Additional Notes:
The remuneration for this position starts at an annual base salary of USD 86,027, with additional variable post adjustments reflecting the cost of living in Geneva. Benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children. The contractual status of the selected candidate will determine whether a fixed-term or temporary appointment is offered. Candidates who have been separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration. The position may involve a written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment as part of the screening process. Candidates are required to provide scanned copies of their educational qualifications in advance of the interview. WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization adheres to the highest ethical standards and has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, ensuring a safe and respectful workplace.