Public Health Officer, Public Health Officer, Koror, Palau

General

Description of assignment title: Public HealthOfficer

Assignment country: Palau

Duty stations: Koror

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 07/20/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility ofextension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health andwell-being

Host entity: WHO PLW

Modality: Onsite

Type: National

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on 7 April1948 as the directing and coordinating authority for internationalhealth within the United Nations system. The Federated States ofMicronesia (FSM) joined WHO on 14 August 1991 as a Member State. InAugust 2010, WHO opened a Country Liaison Office in Palikir,Pohnpei to provide country-level support to the Government of FSM,the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau andin 2025, The WHO Country Liaison Office was upgraded to be a WHOMulti Country Office (WHO MCO) to cover the same countries. The WHOMCO coordinates technical assistance and partnerships acrosspriority public health areas in the three countries.

Context:

• In Palau, WHO's mandate is to support the Ministry of Healthand Human Services and partners to strengthen health systems,prevent and control communicable and noncommunicable diseases,improve preparedness and response to outbreaks and emergencies,strengthen immunization systems and advance universal healthcoverage in line with national priorities and the WHOConstitution.

Task description:

• The incumbent will provide liaison, technical and managerialsupport to the WHO Multi-Country Office (FSM, RMI, PLW) in theimplementation of national work, including the BiennialCollaborative Agreement (BCA). The incumbent will coordinate WHO'swork on health development with the Ministry of Health and HumanServices, UN System partners in the country, contributing to theachievement of national health objectives and commitments.
• The UN Volunteer will:
• Work in close coordination with all technical focal points ofthe WHO Multi-country office (FSM. RMI /PLW) and the Ministry ofHealth and Human Services -Palau.
• Coordinate WHO activities in the country through the relevantmanagerial processes and responsibilities
• Establish and sustain partnerships with relevant nationalhealth stakeholders, donor and implementing partners, ensuring hightechnical-quality, policy-relevant and timely implementation of allactivities
• Coordinate, facilitate and or support the delivery of technicaland managerial advice to the
• government and national stakeholders in the
• o Development and implementation of sustainable, multisectoraland integrated strategies, policies, work programmes and plans,promoting optimal outcomes in one, several, or all of theconstituent areas of life course: i.e., Primary Health Care; healthworkforce; integrated health services; health systems governanceand financing; sexual and reproductive health and research;maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and ageing.
• o Development/review and promotion of national policies,programs, and structures for various areas of public health - e.g.prevention and control of communicable and noncommunicabledisease
• o Access to and analyses of a diverse range of data andinformation related to public health, disease prevention andcontrol programmes
• o Reduction of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases andunderlying social determinants by creating and supporting theimplementation of national program and goals for the prevention andcontrol of NCDs
• o Coordination with relevant partners to strengthen theimplementation of surveillance systems
• o Management of WHO Office's support to the government inconducting field investigations of public health/unusual healthevents/ emergency response when required by the specific country orhealth situation.
• o Leverage knowledge of local systems and cultural norms to:serve as technical communication focal point with the public; andestablish new community outreach activities concerning theprevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of various publichealth issues and diseases.
• o Any other relevant duties that may arise and requested by theWHO Multi-Country Office supervisor may request

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal residentor hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in Health, Community/Development Programmes,Communications

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Skills and experience:

• Experience
• 5 year of experience with 3 years of relevant professionalexperience in public health, health programme implementation,project coordination, health administration or a relatedfield.
• Experience working with the Ministry of Health, governmentagencies, UN organizations, NGOs or development partners isdesirable.
• Experience coordinating projects, stakeholder engagement andpreparing reports would be an asset.
• Skills
• Good understanding of public health systems and healthprogrammes.
• Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize multiple activities and manage competingpriorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural teams and engagerespectfully with local communities.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of Palauan ishighly desirable.
• Applicants who do not fully meet the minimum professionalexperience requirements for a UN Volunteer 'Specialist' assignmentare still encouraged to apply; if selected, they may be recruitedunder the Conditions of Service applicable to UN Volunteer'Associate' assignments.

Area(s) of expertise:

• General and specialised medicine, Project management, programmedevelopment, strategy, Community development

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