National Professional Officer - Env Health & Climate Change

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, focusing on various health issues including communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, health systems, and emergency response. The organization aims to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health, emphasizing the importance of health equity and access to healthcare services.

Job Overview:
The National Professional Officer for Environmental Health and Climate Change will play a crucial role in the Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE) unit. This position is primarily focused on enhancing the capacity of Member States and Areas in the Pacific to assess and manage health risks associated with climate change and environmental factors. The officer will work closely with the Team Coordinator to implement climate-resilient health systems and strengthen related policies. The role involves conducting research, developing guidelines, monitoring work plans, and engaging in community outreach to raise awareness about climate change and health. The officer will also collaborate with regional bodies to provide technical support and facilitate capacity-building initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: providing input to the work program in the area of Climate Change, Environment, and Health (CCE) in Fiji and the Pacific Island Countries; conducting research on environmental health and climate change topics; drafting and revising CCE-related guidelines and national strategies; monitoring work plans and budgets; conducting data analyses; participating in capacity-building activities; analyzing best practices related to climate-sensitive disease surveillance; conducting community outreach activities; and serving as a technical resource for environmental health and climate change issues. The officer will also collaborate with regional organizations to strengthen technical support for climate change and health initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree (Bachelor's) in environmental health, public health, climate change, environmental sciences/management, environmental engineering, or other relevant fields. An advanced university degree (master's level or above) in a related field is desirable. Essential qualifications include a minimum of five years of work experience in program or project planning and coordination in environmental health and/or climate change and health. Field experience in other Pacific Island Countries is also desirable. Strong technical expertise in environmental health and climate change, capacity-building skills, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as environmental health, public health, climate change, or environmental sciences. An advanced degree is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in environmental health and climate change issues.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant work experience, particularly in program or project planning and coordination related to environmental health and climate change. Experience in Fiji and understanding of the environmental health landscape in other Pacific Island Countries is considered an asset. Candidates should demonstrate proven experience in implementing multi-stakeholder development projects and possess strong analytical skills.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is essential for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an advantage, particularly languages spoken in the Pacific region, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This is a National Professional Officer position, meaning that only applications from nationals of Fiji will be accepted. The role offers an annual base salary starting at FJD 132,400, with mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. Staff members are entitled to 30 days of annual leave. The position is subject to WHO Staff Regulations and Rules, and candidates may be required to undergo a written test or video assessment as part of the selection process. WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from underrepresented Member States. The organization also emphasizes the importance of ethical standards and a smoke-free environment.