Assistant(e) en santé publique

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. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. WHO focuses on various health issues, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, health systems, and emergency response.

Job Overview:
The position of Assistant(e) en santé publique involves providing technical support under the general supervision of the WHO Representative and the supervision of the Non-Communicable Diseases Program Officer. The role is crucial in planning, implementing, and evaluating integrated strategies and activities for the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health. The assistant will facilitate collaboration with national, provincial, and community partners, strengthen the technical capacities of health actors, promote resource mobilization, and contribute to other activities as needed by the WHO country office. This position is vital in addressing the growing burden of NCDs and mental health issues, which are significant causes of mortality globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Mauritania.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The main duties and responsibilities of the Assistant(e) in public health include:

• Providing technical support to the Ministry of Health and partner institutions for the development, implementation, and evaluation of integrated approaches to the prevention and management of NCDs and mental disorders.
• Participating in the development, adaptation, and monitoring of national policies, strategic plans, and guidelines.
• Developing training modules and organizing capacity-building sessions.
• Supporting the establishment of epidemiological surveillance and monitoring systems.
• Contributing to the mobilization of financial and technical resources.
• Promoting operational research, experience sharing, and dissemination of best practices.
• Strengthening intersectoral coordination.
• Performing any other tasks assigned by the supervisor or the WHO Representation.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in public health, epidemiology, or related fields. Desirable qualifications include a Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, or related disciplines. Candidates should possess strong skills in producing quality results, teamwork, and effective communication. Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools is also required. A deep understanding of NCDs and their determinants, as well as the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and plan activities progressively, are essential competencies for this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have at least a Bachelor's degree in public health, epidemiology, or a related field. A Master's degree in public health or epidemiology is desirable and will enhance the candidate's profile for this position.

Experience:
A minimum of one year of experience in public health or epidemiology is essential. Experience in managing NCD programs within international institutions is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of working effectively in public health settings and managing health-related projects.

Languages:
Fluency in French at an expert level is essential for this position. Proficiency in English at an intermediate level is desirable, along with knowledge of national languages, which would be an asset in the Mauritanian context.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Nouakchott, Mauritania, with possible travel to the 15 Wilayas as per the Ministry's and WHO's activity plan. The contract duration is six months, and the remuneration is equivalent to the NOA grade of the United Nations salary scale, excluding mission costs. This vacancy notice may also be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test may be used as a screening method. Candidates selected for an interview will need to provide scanned copies of their required degrees and certificates. WHO emphasizes workforce diversity and encourages applications from women and nationals of underrepresented Member States.