NCD Programme Coordinator

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 a workforce of over 7,000 employees, WHO operates in more than 150 countries, working with governments and other partners to address health challenges and improve health outcomes globally. The organization focuses on various health issues, including communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), health systems, and emergency response, among others.

Job Overview:
The NCD Programme Coordinator will play a crucial role in establishing a strong WHO presence in Fiji, implementing the WHO Country Cooperation Strategies (CSS) that align with the health development priorities of the Member States. The primary goal of the NCD programme is to reduce preventable morbidity, avoidable disability, and premature mortality from non-communicable diseases in the South Pacific Region. The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating and managing NCD-related projects and programs, ensuring effective planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and timely reporting that aligns with WHO’s global and regional strategies. This position requires a proactive approach to building partnerships and engaging with various stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of NCD prevention and control efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform a variety of duties, including:

• Building a coordinated, multisector framework for NCD prevention and management across the life course and conducting resource mapping.
• Collaborating with technical teams to assess the integration and effectiveness of multisectoral engagement practices within technical SOPs for NCDs, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and gaps, and designing interventions to address these issues.
• Conducting research on current and potential partner profiles to identify areas of synergy in achieving WHO's goals for NCD prevention and management, contributing to broader resource mobilization efforts.
• Organizing and maintaining an NCD partners network, including community stakeholders, local government, and civil society, to ensure sustained community engagement for impactful policy dialogue.
• Strengthening national capacity on NCD prevention and control, particularly in the Pacific Region, through needs identification and operationalization of capacity building and training plans.
• Providing technical guidance, training, and advocacy materials to enhance multisectoral coordination for strengthening national NCD action plans.
• Maintaining regular engagement with WHO technical teams at HQ and the Regional Office, as well as with bilateral and multilateral development partners to ensure the implementation of NCD-related policies and strategies in alignment with country priorities.
• Reviewing and ensuring the quality and strategic alignment of contractual engagements with external partners and institutions, providing recommendations to guide WHO’s support in line with NCD-related technical and programmatic objectives.
• Preparing high-quality technical reports, meeting summaries, workshop proceedings, and annual reports to document progress, share learning, and inform future programming.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in public health or social sciences as essential qualifications. An advanced degree in public health, preferably with a specialization in non-communicable diseases and its risk factors, is desirable. Candidates must have a strong understanding of public health principles and practices, particularly in relation to NCDs and health promotion. Additionally, candidates should possess advanced knowledge of accountability and results-based management systems, as well as principles and techniques for multisectoral collaboration.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in public health or social sciences as a minimum requirement. An advanced degree in public health with a focus on non-communicable diseases is preferred. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates must have at least five years of experience in public health management, health promotion, and coordination of health-related stakeholders, including non-state actors and governments. Relevant international exposure is essential, along with experience in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships and multisectoral engagement for health. Desirable experience includes knowledge of commercial factors affecting health, particularly regarding NCDs, social marketing, and preventing industry interference in public health.

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

Additional Notes:
The remuneration for this position starts at an annual base salary of USD 70,212, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. The position includes a variable post adjustment reflecting the cost of living in Suva, Fiji. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States. Candidates must confirm their vaccination status as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment.