Integrated Public Health Officer

Host entity: WHO LBY

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Public health, immunisation, Statistics, population science, Partnerships, resource mobilisation

Application deadline: 19/11/2026

Mission and objectives

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations specialized agency for health, mandated to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. WHO works with Member States and partners to advance public health, strengthen health systems and improve access to quality health services.

Assignment context

The WHO Libya Country Office provides technical cooperation and support to the Ministry of Health and other national institutions to strengthen the health system, improve health outcomes and advance universal health coverage. Its work is guided by WHO’s global and regional strategic priorities and aligned with national health priorities, in collaboration with government institutions, United Nations agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.
WHO Libya’s work encompasses health systems strengthening, disease prevention and control, health emergency preparedness and response, health information, and support for vulnerable populations. The Country Office operates in a complex and evolving context that requires effective coordination, operational flexibility, accountability and close collaboration across programmes and functions

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of Benghazi suboffice or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Integrated Public Health Officer will:

Coordination and Collaboration
• Liaise with the Ministry of Health, UN agencies, NGOs and other relevant sectors/clusters (e.g., Nutrition and WASH) to facilitate WHO programme implementation and monitoring, in coordination with the Head of WHO Benghazi Sub-Office, WHO technical leads and national plans.
• Where dedicated Health Cluster capacity is not present, support WHO and Health Cluster coordination functions, as applicable, under the guidance of the Head of Benghazi Sub-Office and in coordination with relevant WHO focal points.
• Liaise with programme focal points in Tripoli, facilitating coordination of technical interventions and routine information exchange with the Benghazi Sub-Office.
• Participate in relevant health sector coordination meetings and technical working groups, and promote collaboration among public health partners.

Needs Assessment and Data Collection
• Share regular, timely situation updates to identify vulnerable populations, public health risks and service delivery gaps.
• Support collection and reporting of reliable, accurate and timely health data and rollout of health information systems and assessments in coordination with national counterparts and health partners. Support analysis, interpretation and dissemination of health data, including preparation of epidemiological summaries and technical briefs.

Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response
• Coordinate with local health authorities and other actors to implement and expand disease and public health surveillance and rapid response activities in the assigned geographical area, in line with country-level plans and Sub-Office priorities.
• Support completeness and timeliness of early warning and alert reporting, including Points of Entry and event-based surveillance (EBS), in consultation with relevant MoH focal points and technical leads.
• Support strengthening the capacities of surveillance systems, networks and frontline workers through training on field investigation, detection, data management and rapid response.
• Support mobilization and monitoring of rapid response teams, rapid assessments, field missions and outbreak investigations.
• Collaborate with health authorities to ensure timely collection, collation and transmission of public health surveillance data to national level (e.g., AFP surveillance, vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, EPI/SIA data and nutrition) and recommend targeted interventions.
• Support timely initiation and coordination of outbreak response interventions across relevant pillars in consultation with the Head of Benghazi Sub-Office and respective technical leads. Contribute to emergency preparedness, readiness, contingency planning and emergency response reporting.
• Undertake regular field visits to health facilities and reporting sites to assess surveillance implementation, identify gaps and recommend corrective actions based on key performance indicators.

Program Implementation
• Facilitate implementation of WHO public health programmes, including emergency health and nutrition interventions, in line with country office implementation plans and Sub-Office priorities. Support cross-programme coordination and health systems strengthening activities.
• Support planning and implementation of WHO activities related to maternal and child health, immunization, communicable and noncommunicable diseases, nutrition, mental health, WASH and emergency response.
• Support MoH in planning, implementing and monitoring Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) activities and vaccination campaigns.
• Engage with local communities to raise awareness on health, nutrition and environmental topics.
• Work with health authorities to identify training needs for health workers and facilitate training sessions and workshops in line with WHO standards.
• Coordinate with the relevant operations and logistics/supply teams to monitor distribution, tracking and last-mile delivery of WHO supplies, including stock status and utilization reports.

Monitoring and Evaluation
• Monitor health programme progress and report on WHO key performance indicators (KPIs) through established information-management processes, providing evidence-based recommendations to the Head of Benghazi Sub-Office and relevant technical leads. Support programme reviews and assessments and prepare periodic technical and operational updates.
• Carry out regular supportive supervision visits to WHO-supported sites and share findings with Benghazi Sub-Office and relevant technical teams.
• Contribute to WHO visibility in line with donor requirements, including photo repositories and content for human-interest and success stories.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the Head of WHO Benghazi Sub-Office, in consultation with relevant technical leads and in line with WHO Country Office priorities.

Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active WHO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to WHO and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
• Weekly Updates: Share weekly reports on new incidents, disease outbreaks and completed activities.
• Biweekly/Monthly Technical Reports: Prepare and submit reports summarizing activities, challenges and recommendations to the Head of Benghazi Sub-Office, with relevant technical input shared with WHO programme leads. Include updates on health and nutrition, disease surveillance, immunization and coordination efforts.
• Submit monthly inputs to WHO key performance indicators in a timely manner.
• Complete and submit programme-specific reports in a timely manner (e.g., AFP, routine immunization, surveillance, nutrition and service delivery) to relevant technical leads, keeping the Head of Benghazi Sub-Office informed and copied.
• Coordination Meeting Notes: Record discussions and action points from Health Cluster meetings, public health emergency operations center meetings and other relevant meetings with authorities and partners.
• Activity Implementation Reports: Support preparation of direct implementation activity requests, activity-specific reports and supporting documentation necessary for timely payments and financial reporting.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Skills and experience

 At least 03 years of professional work experience in public health, emergency preparedness and response, or health programmes.
 Experience with WHO's core values and competencies in emergency response is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organizations;
 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, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
 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 MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
 Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to the World Health Organization; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to the World Health Organization procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and [WHO] in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions

Duty Station and Living Conditions

Benghazi, Libya, is classified as an E-hardship and non-family duty station. The assignment is based at UN premises and requires full-time on-site presence. The UN Volunteer will be integrated into the UN security framework and must comply with all applicable UN security policies and procedures. Further information on living conditions and security arrangements will be provided by UNV and WHO during onboarding.

The assignment requires flexibility, cultural awareness, resilience, and the ability to work effectively in a complex operating environment.

1. Pre-assignment

Entry lump sum: USD 350
Relocation costs: USD 175 at the beginning and end of the assignment if the duty station is outside of commuting distance (as determined by UNV)

2. During Assignment

Volunteer living allowance: USD 1,376.83
Learning and training: Access to UNV’s learning and career development resources
Annual leave: 2.5 days per month
Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts for the UN Volunteer, and health insurance coverage for up to 3 eligible dependents. See the Conditions of Service for more details on eligibility criteria.
Danger and hardship differential: USD 413.04

3. End of assignment

Exit lump sum (paid on successful completion of the assignment): USD 120 for each month served, paid on completion of the contract

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.