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National Professional Officer (Env. Health & Climate Change)

Suva, Fiji·Posted today
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Full job description

Position details

  • Vacancy number: 2604529
  • Grade: NO-C
  • Contractual arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
  • Contract duration: 1 year
  • Organization: WP_FJI Fiji
  • Schedule: Full-time
  • Closing date: Nov 2, 2026, 11:59:00 PM
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objectives of the Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE) unit workplan is to increase the capacity of Member states and Areas in the Pacific in climate and environmental health risk assessment and management; enhancing health sector leadership on primary prevention interventions to reduce the effect of climate change and environmental hazards on health, through multi-sectoral cooperation and inter country cooperation in managing climate change and environmental determinants of health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Team Coordinator PCE, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

Generic Duties

  • Provide input to the work program in the area of Climate Change, Environment, and Health (CCE) in Fiji, in particular, as well as in general in the Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs), with an emphasis on environmental health aspects, and assist the PCE Team Coordinator in the successful implementation of climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems and strengthening of related policies.
  • Undertakes research on environmental health and on climate change and health topics to facilitate the development and implementation of the CCE programmes and activities.
  • Draft, revise and further develop CCE related guidelines, national strategies and provide recommendations on a plan of action for improvement in the existing CCE policies and for the strengthening of climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems.
  • Monitor work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the CCE work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.
  • Conduct data analyses and information on best practices and partners' experiences in implementing climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems and disseminate information.
  • Participates in capacity building in the area of environmental health and in the area of climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems and the management and financing of the systems.
  • Analyze and evaluate best practices related to climate sensitive disease surveillance and outbreak response; provide recommendations concerning the strengthening of climate sensitive disease surveillance and related early warning systems, appropriate response to identified risks, and implementation of preventative measures and prepare reports.
  • Conducts a variety of community outreach activities, in Fiji, concerning awareness raising and capacity building on CCE.
  • Serve as a technical resource at counterpart level concerning environmental health and climate change and health, in Fiji, in particular, as well as in general in other PICs; respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.

  • Perform all other related duties as assigned.

     

     

    Specific duties

     

  • Collaborate with regional bodies, such as The Pacific Community (SPC), Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and WHO WPRO ACE, including through regional and Pacific level networks and platforms to strengthen technical support on climate change and health for PICs.
  • Provide technical support to Fiji, in particular, as well as in general in other PICs to undertake assessments of health care facility vulnerabilities and develop and implement adaptation improvement plans to strengthen health care facility resilience and environmental sustainability.
     

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's) in environmental health, public health, climate change, environmental sciences/management, environmental engineering, or other relevant fields.
Desirable: An advanced university degree (master's level or above) in environmental health, development studies, or a related field.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of five years of work experience in programme or project planning and coordination in the areas of environmental health (e.g., water and sanitation, healthcare waste management, vector-control), and/or climate change and health, in Fiji.
Desirable: Field experience and understanding of environmental health and/or climate change and health in PICs other than Fiji.

Skills

  • Strong technical expertise in environmental health and/or climate change and health with the ability to give technical advice and guidance, whilst taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners.
  • Proven experience in implementation of multi-stakeholder development projects. 
  • Capacity building skills, including planning and facilitation of workshops.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team collaboration skills, with experience working with governments and NGOs.
  • Ability to take initiative and work independently and proactively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations.
     

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at FJD 132,400 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
  • This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
  • Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
  • A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
  • In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
  • According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
  • Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.
  • The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
  • WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
  • Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
  • An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
  • WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
  • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
  • WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
  • The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
  • Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
  • This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
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