Tobacco Control Public Health Officer
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on 7 April 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. In Kenya, WHO provides technical assistance to the government, particularly the Ministry of Health, to strengthen the implementation of evidence-based tobacco control measures in line with WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) obligations and global noncommunicable disease (NCD) targets.
Job Overview:
The Tobacco Control Public Health Officer will play a crucial role in providing high-level technical and programmatic support to the Ministry of Health and national stakeholders in Kenya. The primary objective of this position is to strengthen tobacco control policies, legislation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The officer will contribute to advancing the implementation of WHO FCTC, enhancing surveillance and research, supporting enforcement and compliance efforts, and integrating tobacco control into broader NCD and health promotion strategies. This role is vital in addressing the public health challenges posed by tobacco use, which is a leading preventable cause of death and disease globally, particularly in Kenya.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including providing technical support to the Ministry of Health in reviewing, developing, and implementing tobacco control policies and regulations consistent with WHO FCTC provisions. This includes supporting regulatory frameworks for smoke-free environments, advertising bans, packaging and labeling requirements, taxation measures, and regulation of emerging nicotine products. The officer will also engage in national coordination and multi-sectoral collaboration with government ministries, civil society organizations, and development partners to strengthen tobacco control measures. Additionally, the officer will contribute to strengthening tobacco surveillance systems, support the operationalization of the Kenya reference laboratory for testing tobacco products, and assist in establishing quality tobacco cessation services within the healthcare system. The officer will prepare technical briefs, policy notes, donor reports, and strategic documents to support advocacy and resource mobilization, ensuring integration of tobacco control within universal health coverage and primary health care frameworks.
Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Global Health, Health Economics, or a related discipline from a recognized university. Desirable qualifications include a Master’s Degree in the same fields, along with training in tobacco control, noncommunicable disease prevention, public policy analysis, health law, or implementation science. A postgraduate qualification with demonstrated research or policy experience in NCDs or tobacco control is an added advantage.
Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Global Health, or Health Economics from a recognized institution. A Master’s Degree in these areas is highly desirable, along with additional training in tobacco control and related disciplines.
Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, including at least three years of demonstrated experience in tobacco control, noncommunicable disease prevention, health policy, or public health program management. Experience in policy analysis, program planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination of public health interventions is essential. Desirable experience includes working with United Nations agencies, international organizations, and familiarity with Kenya’s devolved health system.
Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is essential, with the ability to draft technical documents and reports. A working knowledge of Kiswahili is desirable to facilitate effective engagement with national and subnational stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
The position will be recruited under WHO’s Special Service Agreement (SSA) category, with remuneration aligned with the WHO salary scale for Kenya, commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience. The vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. Candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test or video assessment may be used as part of the screening process. Candidates must provide scanned copies of required qualifications in advance of an interview. WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on 7 April 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. In Kenya, WHO provides technical assistance to the government, particularly the Ministry of Health, to strengthen the implementation of evidence-based tobacco control measures in line with WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) obligations and global noncommunicable disease (NCD) targets.
Job Overview:
The Tobacco Control Public Health Officer will play a crucial role in providing high-level technical and programmatic support to the Ministry of Health and national stakeholders in Kenya. The primary objective of this position is to strengthen tobacco control policies, legislation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The officer will contribute to advancing the implementation of WHO FCTC, enhancing surveillance and research, supporting enforcement and compliance efforts, and integrating tobacco control into broader NCD and health promotion strategies. This role is vital in addressing the public health challenges posed by tobacco use, which is a leading preventable cause of death and disease globally, particularly in Kenya.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including providing technical support to the Ministry of Health in reviewing, developing, and implementing tobacco control policies and regulations consistent with WHO FCTC provisions. This includes supporting regulatory frameworks for smoke-free environments, advertising bans, packaging and labeling requirements, taxation measures, and regulation of emerging nicotine products. The officer will also engage in national coordination and multi-sectoral collaboration with government ministries, civil society organizations, and development partners to strengthen tobacco control measures. Additionally, the officer will contribute to strengthening tobacco surveillance systems, support the operationalization of the Kenya reference laboratory for testing tobacco products, and assist in establishing quality tobacco cessation services within the healthcare system. The officer will prepare technical briefs, policy notes, donor reports, and strategic documents to support advocacy and resource mobilization, ensuring integration of tobacco control within universal health coverage and primary health care frameworks.
Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Global Health, Health Economics, or a related discipline from a recognized university. Desirable qualifications include a Master’s Degree in the same fields, along with training in tobacco control, noncommunicable disease prevention, public policy analysis, health law, or implementation science. A postgraduate qualification with demonstrated research or policy experience in NCDs or tobacco control is an added advantage.
Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Global Health, or Health Economics from a recognized institution. A Master’s Degree in these areas is highly desirable, along with additional training in tobacco control and related disciplines.
Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, including at least three years of demonstrated experience in tobacco control, noncommunicable disease prevention, health policy, or public health program management. Experience in policy analysis, program planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination of public health interventions is essential. Desirable experience includes working with United Nations agencies, international organizations, and familiarity with Kenya’s devolved health system.
Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is essential, with the ability to draft technical documents and reports. A working knowledge of Kiswahili is desirable to facilitate effective engagement with national and subnational stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
The position will be recruited under WHO’s Special Service Agreement (SSA) category, with remuneration aligned with the WHO salary scale for Kenya, commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience. The vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. Candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test or video assessment may be used as part of the screening process. Candidates must provide scanned copies of required qualifications in advance of an interview. WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.