UN Volunteer - Health System Coordination

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for directing and coordinating international health efforts within the UN system. Established in 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable populations, with a strong emphasis on equity, universal health coverage (UHC), and health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. In Thailand, WHO collaborates with the Royal Thai Government to advance national health priorities as outlined in the Country Cooperation Strategy (2022–2026). This includes strengthening health systems, improving access to essential services for migrants and displaced populations, and enhancing preparedness and response to public health threats. WHO operates in close collaboration with national and subnational authorities, UN agencies, and development partners to build resilient and inclusive health systems, particularly in border areas where public health risks and service delivery challenges intersect. The organization employs thousands of professionals worldwide and operates in multiple countries, focusing on various health-related initiatives and programs.

Job Overview:
The UN Volunteer position is designed to provide added-value, non-implementation support to the World Health Organization's efforts in Thailand, particularly in border areas facing increasing pressure on health systems due to dynamic population movements and evolving humanitarian needs. The role involves strengthening multi-stakeholder coordination and operational coherence, enhancing knowledge management, and supporting logistics and information flows. The UN Volunteer will be based in Bangkok but will also conduct regular missions to Tak Province (Mae Sot and surrounding areas) to work closely with WHO's responsible officer, national counterparts, and field coordination structures. The position requires a proactive approach to facilitate communication among various stakeholders, document best practices, and contribute to institutional learning that informs future programming and policy dialogue. The volunteer will also play a crucial role in improving situational awareness and communication between field and national levels, ensuring that health service access challenges are addressed effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The UN Volunteer will undertake a variety of tasks under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer and National Professional Officer, including:

• Multi-stakeholder coordination and partnership support: Facilitate structured coordination and communication among stakeholders involved in border health, including provincial health authorities, health facilities, UN agencies, NGOs, and development partners. Organize coordination platforms, meetings, and joint briefings, ensuring proper documentation and follow-up. Strengthen linkages between health and protection actors through structured information exchange. Maintain stakeholder mapping and support alignment of roles across partners.
• Knowledge management, documentation, and learning: Document good practices and lessons learned from border health system strengthening efforts. Develop knowledge products and briefs to inform WHO, partners, and donors. Support knowledge exchange between national and subnational levels. Contribute to institutional learning that can inform future programming.
• Field liaison and contextual analysis: Conduct regular field missions to gather insights on coordination dynamics and service access challenges. Facilitate communication between field actors and Bangkok-based stakeholders. Provide analytical inputs on trends affecting health service access.
• Support to communication, visibility, and reporting: Assist in developing coordination briefs and communication materials highlighting multi-agency collaboration. Document coordination outcomes and joint initiatives to strengthen visibility.
• Facilitation of UN system collaboration and volunteer engagement: Promote collaboration between WHO and other UN entities through structured coordination. Strengthen linkages with UN Volunteers from other agencies.
• Strategic support to logistics coordination: Support the sharing of information on health supply flows and operational bottlenecks. Facilitate coordination among stakeholders involved in supply chain management.
• Other duties: Perform any other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to support WHO’s objectives and strengthen collaboration in border health contexts. Additionally, UN Volunteers are required to engage in activities that promote volunteerism and contribute to UNV publications.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a multi-stakeholder environment. They should demonstrate adaptability and flexibility, as well as a commitment to the values and ethics of the United Nations. Proficiency in planning and organizing tasks effectively is essential, along with self-management skills to handle the demands of the role. The ideal candidate should also have a strong understanding of health systems and coordination mechanisms, particularly in the context of border health.

Educational Background:
A relevant degree in public health, international relations, social sciences, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or specialized training in health systems strengthening, humanitarian response, or related areas would be advantageous. Candidates should have a solid understanding of the health landscape in Thailand and the challenges faced in border areas.

Experience:
Candidates should have prior experience working in health systems, humanitarian response, or development contexts, preferably in multi-stakeholder environments. Experience in coordination roles, knowledge management, or field-based work in health-related initiatives is highly desirable. Familiarity with the UN system and its operational modalities would be an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, both written and spoken. Knowledge of Thai or other local languages would be considered an advantage, as it would facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is a UN Volunteer assignment based in Bangkok, with regular travel to Tak Province (Mae Sot). The living conditions in Bangkok are generally comfortable, with good access to housing, healthcare, and transportation. The security level is low to moderate, and essential services are readily available. The climate is tropical, with hot and humid conditions throughout the year. This role is considered family-friendly and culturally welcoming for international personnel.