Health and Environment Programme Specialist

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Position Title: Health and Environment Programme Specialist
Location: Seoul
Country: South Korea
Deadline Date:

Job Details

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 has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees across more than 150 countries, WHO works in various areas including disease prevention, health systems strengthening, and emergency response. The organization operates in multiple countries and collaborates with governments, NGOs, and other international agencies to improve health outcomes globally.

Job Overview:
The Health and Environment Programme Specialist will play a crucial role in leading and managing the Health and Environment Programme within the WHO's Centre. This position requires a strong focus on identifying and managing environmental risk factors that affect human health, particularly in the Pacific region. The specialist will collaborate with Member States to provide technical and policy advice, ensuring that national policies and strategies are developed and implemented effectively. The role involves coordinating the development of guidance for Member States, overseeing regional developments, and advocating for initiatives that address health and environmental linkages. The specialist will also be responsible for conducting research, capacity building, and establishing partnerships with various stakeholders to promote health-supportive environments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will report to the Head of Office and will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide technical and managerial leadership in the area of Health and Environment, ensuring efficient planning and coordination of activities.
• Collaborate with Member States to develop and implement national policies aimed at reducing environmental health risks.
• Coordinate the development of guidance for Member States to conduct situation analyses and needs assessments.
• Oversee regional developments and report findings to the regional office for strategy development.
• Design and establish regional strategies and policies through negotiations with relevant authorities.
• Develop work plans and budgets for team activities, including resource mobilization.
• Lead research on international environmental instruments and risk factor assessments.
• Strengthen capacity building in environmental health and related areas.
• Act as a technical advisor to the public on health and environment linkages. 1
• Respond to media inquiries and provide technical information. 1
• Promote community outreach activities to expand networks for disease prevention. 1
• Advocate and build partnerships with national counterparts and donors. 1
• Represent WHO at various meetings and perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in environmental or biological sciences, or a related field, or in public health with a focus on environmental determinants of health. Specialized training in coastal or oceanic environmental health is desirable. Candidates should have at least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience, including relevant international experience in developing policies and strategies for environmental health. Experience providing technical advice to governments and managing diverse teams is essential. Familiarity with WHO and UN agencies is considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in environmental or biological sciences, or a similar field, or in public health with a focus on environmental determinants of health is required. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). Specialized training in coastal or oceanic environmental health is desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience, including relevant international experience in developing policies and strategies aimed at reducing environmental health risks. This experience should include providing technical advice and services to governments and partners on environmental health initiatives, as well as managing diverse teams.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is essential for this position. Intermediate knowledge of French is desirable but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a competitive salary starting at USD 92,731, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. Additional 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. The successful candidate will be required to provide evidence of vaccination as per WHO requirements before undertaking the assignment.