Health Promotion and Policy Coordination Officer, Manila

Description of assignment title

Health Promotion and Policy Coordination Officer

Assignment country

Philippines

Duty stations

Manila

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

01/01/2027

Duration

12 months
(with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal

3. Good health and well-being

Host entity

WHO PHL

Modality

Onsite

Type

International

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Mission and objectives

WHO in the Western Pacific Together with 37 Member States and areas, we fight infectious diseases like dengue and malaria, and noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Through immunization campaigns and initiatives such as First Embrace, we help mothers and children survive and thrive. We ensure the safety of our environment, our air, our water and our food – all of which impact our health every day. We prepare for and rapidly respond to disasters and emergencies, never losing sight of the fact that we are dealing with issues of life and death. With the stakes so high, we strive for excellence in working to bring better health and well-being to the nearly 1.9 billion people of the Western Pacific Region.

Context

The Health Promotion and Policy Coordination Officer will be a member of the Health Promotion and Policy (HPP) unit of the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Control (DPC). The HPP unit works to enable people, communities, and governments to improve health and well‑being by addressing the social, environmental, commercial, and behavioural determinants of health, and by embedding health‑in‑all‑policies and whole‑of‑government approaches across the Western Pacific Region. HPP supports Member States to create healthier settings, strengthen governance for prevention, and advance equity‑driven health promotion policies aligned with regional and global priorities. The mission of the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Control (DPC) is to advance population health across the life course by accelerating health promotion, preventing communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and strengthening integrated disease control efforts in the Western Pacific Region. DPC supports Member States to address key health risks and determinants, reduce preventable morbidity and mortality, and build resilient, people-centred health systems through multisectoral, equity-focused, and evidence-based approaches. DPC brings together health promotion, prevention, and control functions to address major health challenges in an integrated manner, covering:

• Health promotion and policy, including action on social determinants of health and healthy settings
• Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including mental health and substance use
• Prevention, elimination, and control of communicable and vaccine‑preventable diseases
• Maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health across the life course
• Nutrition, food safety, laboratory capacity, and health intelligence to support disease prevention and control
• Regional and subregional initiatives to eliminate priority diseases and reduce health inequities

In addition to the HPP unit, the DPC Division also includes the following units:

• Social Determinants of Health and Healthy Settings (SDH)
• Nutrition and Food Safety (NFS)
• Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD)
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MHS)
• Accelerated Communicable Disease Control (ACD)
• Vaccine‑Preventable Diseases and Immunization (VDI)
• Maternal and Child Health (MCH)
• Laboratory and Health Intelligence (LIT)
• Mekong Malaria Elimination Initiative (MME).

The role will report to the Coordinator of the HPP unit, while working as required with other units in the DPC Division, particularly the Health Promotion (HP) cluster. The Health Promotion cluster within DPC brings together units that address the upstream drivers of health, focusing on creating healthy environments, shaping policies beyond the health sector, and empowering people and communities to adopt healthier behaviours. The cluster leads multisectoral and whole‑of‑society approaches to improve population health and reduce health inequities across the Western Pacific Region.

Task description

Under the supervision of the Coordinator of Health Promotion and Policy in WHO-WPRO, the Health Promotion and Policy Coordination Officer will carry out the following tasks:

• Assist in coordinating activities across priority areas, specifically tobacco control, alcohol control, physical activity, and injury prevention, to enhance integrated approaches in building health-enabling policy environments and addressing behavioural and commercial determinants of health
• Assist in coordinating NCD surveillance-related work across programme areas, including consolidation of country inputs, monitoring data, and reporting to support integrated prevention and health promotion efforts
• Support the development of technical documents, policy briefs, and advocacy materials that advance health promotion, prevention, and health-in-all-policies approaches
• Assist in organizing meetings, workshops, and webinars that promote whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, including preparation of materials and documentation of outcomes
• Compile and synthesize country experiences, good practices, and evidence to support cross-country learning, healthier settings, and equity-oriented approaches
• Maintain activity trackers, consolidate inputs across programme areas, and contribute to reporting on progress and results
• Support coordination with DPC units and relevant partners to promote coherent, integrated, and equity-driven health promotion efforts

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Relevant experience

6 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Global Health Policy/Public Health/Health Social Sciences or any related areas

Competencies and values

• Technical expertise
• Producing results
• Fostering integration and teamwork
• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Skills and experience

• A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in public health, health promotion, NCD prevention and control, policy coordination, or related fields;
• Data and information management/monitoring and evaluation, public/global health policy and resource mobilisation in the public health and international development sectors; experience with partnerships and communications, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; and
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Desirable:

• Sound security awareness; and
• Have affinity with or interest in global public health volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, advocacy, public information, Project management, programme development, strategy, General and specialised medicine

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Security Situation Manila, as the capital city of the Philippines generally offers a safe environment for residents and visitors. While the city itself is typically secure, it’s important to remain vigilant and stay informed about local conditions, particularly in neighborhoods known for higher crime rates. Volunteers should follow UN security protocols and travel advisories.

Access and Air Travel Manila is home to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), the main gateway to the Philippines. The airport provides numerous international and domestic flight options. Within the city, public transportation, taxis, and ride-sharing services facilitate easy access to various destinations.

Climate Manila has a tropical climate characterized by high humidity and temperatures ranging from 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F). It experiences three main seasons: Tag-init (dry season, December to May), Tagulan (rainy season, June to November), and cooler months in December and February. Typhoons can occur, particularly during the rainy season.

Cultural Awareness Manila is a melting pot of cultures. While dress is generally casual, modest clothing is recommended, especially in religious sites. Alcohol consumption is common in social settings; moderation is encouraged, as excessive drinking can be viewed negatively.

Cost of Living The cost of living in Manila is higher than in many other regions of the Philippines. A modest lifestyle typically ranges depending on individual preferences and lifestyle choices. Please check the following link for more information https://wise.com/us/blog/cost-of-living-in-the-philippines

Availability of Food/Water/Electricity Manila boasts a vibrant food scene, offering a variety of local and international cuisines. Fresh produce and seafood are readily available. However, tap water is generally not safe to drink, so bottled water is recommended. Electricity is widely available, although power outages can occur, particularly during severe weather.

Medical Facilities Medical facilities in Manila are of good quality, with numerous hospitals providing both public and private services. It is advisable for volunteers to have health insurance, as emergency care can be expensive.

Banking Facilities Banks are easily accessible throughout Manila, offering ATMs, currency exchange, and online banking services. While credit cards are accepted in many establishments, cash remains the preferred payment method in smaller shops and markets.

Communication Infrastructure Manila has a well-developed communication infrastructure, with reliable mobile networks and internet access. Major areas offer high-speed internet, while mobile plans are affordable, facilitating easy communication with family and friends.

Education facilities Manila offers a variety of educational facilities for international UN volunteers with children, including international schools that follow different curricula, such as American, British, and IB programs. These schools provide quality education and a supportive environment for expatriate families. Many institutions also offer extracurricular activities and language support. It's advisable to research and apply early, as spots can be competitive.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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