SSA-Tobacco Control Public Health Officer (NOB)

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2603749
• Grade: No grade
• Contractual arrangement: Special Services Agreement (SSA)
• Contract duration: 1 Year
• Organization: AF_KEN Kenya
• Schedule: Full-time
• Closing date: Sep 17, 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.

1. Background

Tobacco use is a leading preventable cause of death and disease globally and remains a significant public health challenge in Kenya. Tobacco consumption contributes substantially to cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which are responsible for a growing proportion of morbidity and premature mortality in the country. Kenya is a Party to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and has enacted national legislation to advance tobacco control. Despite this progress, challenges persist in enforcement of tobacco control laws, regulation of emerging nicotine products, tobacco taxation optimization, industry interference, and integration of cessation services into primary health care.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Kenya provides technical assistance to the Government of Kenya, particularly the Ministry of Health, to strengthen implementation of evidence-based tobacco control measures in line with WHO FCTC obligations and global NCD targets. In this context, WHO seeks to recruit a Tobacco Control Public Health Officer to provide technical leadership and programmatic support to accelerate implementation and monitoring of comprehensive tobacco control strategies in Kenya.

2. Objectives of the Position

The overall objective of the position is to provide high-level technical and programmatic support to the Ministry of Health and national stakeholders in strengthening tobacco control policies, legislation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation in Kenya.

The officer will contribute to advancing WHO FCTC implementation, strengthening national coordination mechanisms, enhancing surveillance and research, supporting enforcement and compliance efforts, and integrating tobacco control into broader NCD and health promotion strategies. The position will also support reporting to regional and global frameworks and facilitate alignment with global best practices and WHO technical guidance.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative and the technical supervision of the Cluster Lead Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control (DPC), the Public Health Officer, Tobacco Control will undertake the following responsibilities:

·         The officer will provide technical support to the Ministry of Health in reviewing, developing, and implementing tobacco control policies, strategies, and regulations consistent with WHO FCTC provisions and global best practices. This will include supporting regulatory frameworks for smoke-free environments, tobacco advertising bans, packaging and labelling requirements, taxation measures, and regulation of emerging nicotine and tobacco products.

·         The officer will support national coordination and multi-sectoral engagement, including collaboration with government ministries, civil society organizations, academia, and development partners to strengthen implementation of tobacco control measures.

·         The officer will contribute to strengthening tobacco surveillance systems, including supporting implementation of population-based surveys, monitoring of tobacco use trends, and analysis of data to inform policy decisions. This includes contributing to national reporting obligations under the WHO FCTC.

·         Provide technical assistance for operationalization of the Kenya reference laboratory for testing tobacco products.

·         Support the Ministry of Health in establishment and implementation of quality and integrated tobacco cessation services withing the general health care system in collaboration with multi-stakeholders.  

·         Provide technical support to multi-stakeholders for implementation of alternative livelihoods project in the targeted Counties.

·         The officer will assist in building national and county-level capacity through development of training materials, organization of workshops, and provision of technical guidance to strengthen enforcement, compliance monitoring, and cessation services integration into primary health care.

·         The officer will prepare technical briefs, policy notes, donor reports, and strategic documents to support advocacy and resource mobilization. The officer will also contribute to broader NCD prevention initiatives and ensure integration of tobacco control within universal health coverage and primary health care frameworks.

·         The officer will perform other related duties as assigned by WHO management in line with organizational priorities.

4. Education Requirements

Essential qualifications:

A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Global Health, Health Economics, or a related discipline from a recognized university.

Desirable qualifications:

A Master’s Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Global Health, Health Economics, or a related discipline from a recognized university.

Training in tobacco control, noncommunicable disease prevention, public policy analysis, health law, or implementation science. A postgraduate qualification with demonstrated research or policy experience in NCDs or tobacco control is an added advantage.

5. Work Experience

Essential;

·         A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, including at least three years of demonstrated experience in tobacco control, noncommunicable disease prevention, health policy, or public health programme management.

·         Demonstrated experience in policy analysis, programme planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination of public health interventions.

·         Demonstrated experience in working with government institutions including National and County and/or other relevant stakeholders in the implementation of public health programmes.

Desirable;

·         Professional experience working with United Nations agencies, international organizations, development partners, or other multilateral institutions.

·         Experience in legislative and policy processes, multi-sectoral coordination, and the development of technical guidance, policy briefs, reports, and other normative documents.

·         Experience in public health surveillance, including the use of digital surveillance tools and electronic health information systems.

·         Experience in data analysis, research coordination, and evidence generation to inform public health policy and programming.

·         Familiarity with Kenya’s devolved health system and county-level governance structures would be an advantage.

·         Experience supporting tobacco control policy implementation and coordination at national and/or subnational levels would be an added advantage.

6. Language Requirements

·         Expert knowledge of English is essential, with demonstrated ability to draft technical documents, policy briefs, and reports.

·         Working knowledge of Kiswahili is desirable to facilitate effective engagement with national and subnational stakeholders.

7. IT Knowledge

·         The incumbent must demonstrate proficiency in standard office software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

·         Advanced skills in data analysis and visualization using tools such as Excel advanced functions, STATA, SPSS, Power BI, or similar software are desirable.

·         Familiarity with virtual collaboration platforms, digital reporting tools, and online data management systems is required.

8. Remuneration

·         The position will be recruited under WHO’s Special Service Agreement (SSA) category, subject to applicable WHO Staff Rules and Regulations.

·         Remuneration will align with the WHO salary scale for Kenya, commensurate with qualifications and years of relevant experience.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

⦁    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 Manual.
⦁    Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
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⦁    The 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 can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
⦁    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.
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⦁    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.
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