Senior Public Health Expert

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 a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's initiatives focus on various health issues, including disease prevention, health systems strengthening, and emergency response, with a commitment to achieving universal health coverage and addressing health inequities.

Job Overview:
The position of Senior Public Health Expert is primarily focused on providing technical expertise and support for initiatives aimed at strengthening primary health care (PHC) systems, particularly through the integration of people-centred care (PCC) approaches. The role emphasizes addressing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and enhancing health literacy within PHC services. The expert will be involved in developing, adapting, and implementing health literacy initiatives, which are crucial for improving patient engagement and self-management of health conditions. Given the current health crisis in Lebanon, the expert will play a vital role in enhancing the capacity of PHC teams and ensuring effective communication between health providers and service users. This position requires a deep understanding of public health interventions and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Public Health and local health facilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Public Health Expert will be responsible for several key outputs: 1) Providing technical support for strengthening PHC systems through the integration of PCC approaches focused on NCDs, which includes developing guidance and operational materials, supporting capacity building of PHC teams, and documenting lessons learned from PCC initiatives. 2) Supporting the development and implementation of health literacy initiatives within PHC services, which involves creating educational materials and methodologies, as well as conducting training for health care professionals. 3) Offering technical support for improving the prevention and management of NCDs within PHC systems, which includes designing strategies and interventions, developing technical materials, conducting training, and assessing NCD-related initiatives to identify gaps and recommend improvements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first university degree in public health, medicine, nursing, nutrition, or a related field. A Master's degree in one of these areas is desirable. Essential qualifications include at least 5 years of working experience in public health interventions and/or people-centred care approaches, as well as experience in curriculum development, training, and coaching. Desirable qualifications include experience in health systems, nutrition and food systems, and clinical experience in public health settings.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a first university degree in public health, medicine, nursing, nutrition, or another relevant field. A Master's degree in one of these fields is considered an asset and enhances the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience in public health interventions and/or people-centred care approaches. Candidates should have experience in developing curricula, training, and coaching, which are essential for effectively supporting PHC teams and implementing health literacy initiatives. Additional desirable experience includes familiarity with health systems, nutrition and food systems, and clinical experience in public health settings.

Languages:
Proficiency in Arabic and English is mandatory, with the ability to read, write, and speak both languages fluently. This bilingual requirement is crucial for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and service users in Lebanon.

Additional Notes:
The place of assignment is Beirut, with frequent field visits to different governorates. The selected consultant will be required to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work. There are no specified travel requirements, and the position may involve a contract of unspecified duration. The role is expected to be full-time, focusing on strengthening health systems and improving health outcomes for populations affected by noncommunicable diseases.