Public Health Officer (Disease Control)
Organizational Context
The WHO Representative office for Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau supports WHO's goal to promote health and well-being. The office assists governments in preventing and controlling communicable diseases, including NTD elimination, and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) within primary healthcare.
Job Purpose
This role supports the WHO Representative office in Samoa by providing technical advice and facilitating the development of national strategies for health system improvements. The Public Health Officer will focus on communicable disease control and NCD management, contributing to disease prevention, surveillance, and response efforts. The position aims to enhance capacity building, coordinate interventions, and ensure effective project implementation to improve public health outcomes in the region, aligning with WHO's Fourteenth General Programme of Work.
Responsibilities
Under the Head of the WHO country office, the incumbent will provide technical advice on national strategies for communicable disease control and NCD management. This includes developing action plans for disease prevention across the life course, coordinating the adoption of standards and guidelines, and managing operational aspects of surveillance and epidemiology. The role involves analyzing data on communicable diseases and outbreaks, recommending response measures, and monitoring national disease burdens. Additionally, the position will serve as a communication focal point, support community activities, provide guidance on medicines and technologies, and advocate for partnerships to enhance collaboration and resource mobilization for integrated disease prevention and control.
Work Experience
Essential: Minimum of five years of relevant work experience, including international exposure, in communicable and non-communicable diseases, NCD management, and disease surveillance/control. Desirable: Experience in developing and implementing national/regional health strategies, providing technical services to ministries of health, and working with international health organizations or in the Pacific islands.
Skills
Expertise in communicable and non-communicable disease control, epidemiology, surveillance, and NCD management. Skills in strategic planning, coordination, project implementation, data analysis, and partnership development. Knowledge of WHO policies and guidelines. Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Proficiency in English.