National Professional Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Kiribati is part of the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS), which is a decentralized division of the Western Pacific Region. This office was established to coordinate the provision of technical support for the countries and areas of the Pacific islands. The mission of the WHO Country Office is to enable Kiribati to achieve its health goals and contribute to global and regional public health action. Kiribati is recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the health impacts of climate variability and change, which poses significant challenges to its health system and overall existence.

Job Overview:
The National Professional Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Country Liaison Officer (CLO) of the WHO Office in Kiribati. The primary functions of this position include providing technical and scientific input to the Climate Change, Environment, and Health (CCE) work program, coordinating the implementation of climate change and environmental health initiatives, and ensuring compliance with project management standards. The officer will be responsible for developing comprehensive project plans in collaboration with national counterparts, managing resources effectively, and communicating proactively with stakeholders. The role also involves preparing reports and monitoring project progress to ensure that health risks associated with climate change are addressed effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform a variety of duties including: 1) Providing technical and scientific input to the CCE work program; 2) Coordinating the implementation of GEF-supported climate change initiatives; 3) Ensuring compliance with project scope, management methodology, and timelines; 4) Managing resources and ensuring quality delivery of outcomes; 5) Developing project plans in collaboration with national counterparts; 6) Communicating with national counterparts and WHO staff to identify problems and implement solutions; 7) Identifying project risks and working to mitigate them; 8) Preparing quarterly and annual reports; 9) Monitoring project progress and delivering scheduled reports; 10) Performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a university degree in public health, geography, environmental sciences/management, environmental engineering, development studies, or environmental economics. Desirable qualifications include a qualification in environmental health, environmental sciences, and/or climate change. Candidates should possess proven skills in project management, knowledge of health implications of climate change, and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a university degree in a relevant field such as public health, environmental sciences, or development studies. Additional qualifications in environmental health or climate change are desirable, indicating a strong foundation in the necessary academic disciplines related to the role.

Experience:
A minimum of 2 years of experience in a similar or related position is essential. This experience should be in program or project planning/management roles, particularly in public or environmental health. Desirable experience includes working in the climate change and health field, knowledge of national policy environments, and experience in project management with governmental and partner organizations.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is essential for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role, meaning that only applications from nationals of Kiribati will be accepted. The remuneration for this position starts at AUD 36,078 annually, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. The role includes 30 days of annual leave. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of vaccination as per WHO requirements before undertaking the assignment.