Technical Officer - Health and Environment

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Position Title: Technical Officer - Health and Environment
Location: Manila
Country: Philippines
Deadline Date: Not specified

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's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees in more than 150 countries, WHO works in various areas including disease prevention, health systems strengthening, and emergency response. The organization operates globally, focusing on health issues that affect populations across different regions, including the Western Pacific Region (WPR) where this position is based.

Job Overview:
The Technical Officer for Health and Environment will play a crucial role in integrating health considerations into environmental policies and practices. This position involves providing technical support specifically in the areas of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). The officer will work closely with Member States to implement national strategies aimed at managing environmental risk factors that impact human health. The role requires conducting situation analyses and needs assessments to address health and environmental challenges, ensuring that adequate technical and strategic support is provided to develop and monitor joint national action plans. The officer will also be responsible for monitoring regional developments related to the assigned programmatic areas and reporting findings to the regional office and headquarters for strategic development. Additionally, the officer will develop national strategies and policies in collaboration with national authorities and recommend initiatives to implement multilateral environmental agreements. Capacity building programs on environmental health initiatives will also be organized, along with community outreach activities to enhance health environments and prevent diseases.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support in the area of Health and the Environment, particularly related to WASH.
• Guide Member States in implementing national strategies and policies to manage environmental risk factors affecting human health.
• Conduct situation analyses and needs assessments to identify health and environmental challenges.
• Ensure technical and strategic support for the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of national action plans.
• Monitor country or regional developments in assigned programmatic areas and report findings to the regional office and headquarters.
• Develop and propose national strategies and policies for environmental health in collaboration with national authorities.
• Plan and organize capacity-building programs on environmental health initiatives.
• Conduct community outreach activities to extend community-based networks for improved health environments.
• Liaise with national counterparts, technical departments, donors, and development partners to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies. 1
• Follow up on recommendations from global WASH meetings. 1
• Manage the Western Pacific region component of the wastewater and environmental surveillance project. 1
• Represent WHO at various meetings when delegated. 1
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: A Master's degree (or higher) in environmental or public health, environmental engineering, or a similar field is essential. Specialization in wastewater-based surveillance is desirable.
• Experience: At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience, including international exposure, in developing policies and strategies for the reduction and control of environmental disease elements. Demonstrated experience working at the country or regional level providing technical advice to Ministries of Health and other national counterparts on environmental health initiatives is required. Experience managing diverse teams is also essential.
• Skills: Good knowledge of regional policies and regulatory mechanisms related to health and environment interventions. Ability to conduct research, analyze results, and formulate recommendations for strengthening health care systems. Excellent drafting and communication skills, public speaking techniques, and a commitment to gender equality are also required.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree (or higher) in environmental or public health, environmental engineering, or a similar field is required. The WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires at least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience, including international exposure, in developing policies and strategies aimed at reducing and controlling environmental health risks. This experience should include working at the country or regional level, providing technical advice and services to health ministries and national counterparts on environmental health initiatives, as well as managing diverse teams.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of spoken and written English is essential for this position. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The remuneration for this position starts at an annual base salary of USD 77,326, with additional benefits including a variable post adjustment reflecting the cost of living, 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children. The position may be used to fill other similar roles at the same grade level. Candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test or asynchronous video assessment may be part of the screening process. WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and candidates must adhere to the highest ethical standards.