Public Health Officer

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2604782
• Grade: NO-C
• Contractual arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
• Contract duration: 1 year
• Organization: WP_VNM Viet Nam
• Schedule: Full-time
• Closing date: Nov 20, 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 World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health (MOH) in Viet Nam have been collaborating for decades, working in close partnership to strengthen the country’s health system and improve public health outcomes. WHO’s work is based on a set of strategic priorities agreed with the MOH and aligned with WHO’s regional and global strategies. WHO’s work focuses on delivering measurable results and impact, through high quality policy, technical, strategic and some operational support.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office:

• Develop and monitor work plans and budgets, and follow up on the implementation of planned activities, in consultation with national counterparts.
• Provide, or coordinate the provision of, technical advice, strategies, and policies for strengthening country capacity to implement, evaluate and monitor universal health coverage/life course programmes including financing of the systems.
• Monitor the national burden of life course diseases or factors especially through health information systems and health research activities.
• Facilitate the adaptation and implementation of evidence-based norms, standards, guidelines and tools in the broad programme areas.
• Guide the collection, analysis and documenting of best practices and partners' experiences in life course programmes, anchored in national and subnational perspectives.
• Serve as a national and technical resource concerning the multi-sectoral integration of programmes in life course and mainstreaming of cross-cutting themes, such as health equity, and the elimination of exclusion.
• Develop or strengthen strategic partnerships in, and mobilize resources for, life course activities and interventions. Support the national authorities in grant implementation and reporting.
• Coordinate the development of information, education and communication (IEC) materials to foster community awareness and health practice in the life course area(s).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Bachelor's degree in social policy or public health with specialization in primary health care, or related discipline. 
Desirable: Post-graduate training or specialization in one or more of the following disciplines: primary health care; health workforce; integrated health services; health systems governance and financing; health information systems; access to medical products; public health; public administration; health administration; health economics; or other relevant disciplines

 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/ . 

Experience

Essential:

• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in developing and/or implementing public health policies, strategies, relevant capacity-building initiatives, and programmes at the national level, with demonstrated expertise in primary health care programmes.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical support to Member States and other partners in public health programmes in resource limited settings.

Desirable:

• Prior experience in implementing life course approaches in stable and emergency situations, research proposals, monitoring and interpreting life course data.
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: health workforce development, integrated health services, health systems governance and financing, health information systems, and access to medical products.
• Experience with intergovernmental agencies, the United Nations System or WHO and knowledge of national partnerships and networks.

Skills

• Knowledge and skills in programme management, for the development and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of successful public-health action plans, programmes, and interventions in one or more life course areas, i.e., Primary Health Care; Health Workforce; Integrated Health Services; Health Systems Governance and Financing; Health Information Systems; and ,Access to Medical Products. 
• Knowledge, skills, and results in coordinating integrated, multi-sectoral, public-health programme interventions, taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in life course will be an advantage
• Skills to work effectively with national and international colleagues and partners in capacity building in resource-limited contexts.
• Excellent oral and written communication, including reports, presentations and technical documents.
• Skills to advocate and communicate critical life course messages.

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:  who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English and local language

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday and some knowledge of using AI to facilitate daily work.
 

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 61,635 (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.
• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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 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.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.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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