State Public Health Officer

Overview

Lead coordination and development of public health operations at state level.

You have:

• Minimum three (03) years of experience in planning, developing and implementing programmes/projects in the area public health, including emergency response; ideally in humanitarian setting.
• Proven track record in managing WHO or similar UN agency programs covering both emergency and routine public health settings.
• Strong technical knowledge and experience in surveillance, outbreak response, immunization, RMNCAH+N, and health systems strengthening.
• Excellent communication, coordination, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinking and effective problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Skilled in multisectoral stakeholder engagement and partnership building.
• Proficiency in data-driven decision-making and performance monitoring.
• Strong orientation towards results, accountability, and transparency.

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The State Team Lead reports to the WHO Hub Coordinator and works closely with WHO technical teams, Ministry of Health officials at state level, UN agencies, partners, and community stakeholders. This role functions as a central coordination point linking WHO’s decentralized state operations with national and WHO Hub office, ensuring alignment with WHO’s strategic priorities and country health plans.

Under the general supervision of the WR, the National Operations coordinator, and the direct supervision of the Hub Coordinator, the incumbent will be performing the following duties:

• Lead coordination and integration of WHO EPR, health system development, health programs, and business operation teams at state level to fulfil organizational and programmatic objectives. • Facilitate monthly and ad hoc coordination meetings, ensuring joint planning, performance tracking, and problem resolution. • Support development and implementation of state-level operational plans aligned with WHO strategies and national health priorities. • Monitor the implementation of deliverables and evaluate the performance of State and County Staff regularly. • Liaise with State Ministry of Health and partners to strengthen collaboration, sharing information, and mobilizing resources. • Provide technical support and mentoring to WHO state staff and partners in programmatic and operational areas. • Promote a team culture that fosters performance, accountability, and ethical standards among WHO state teams. • Lead planning, coordination, and monitoring of public health programs including surveillance, outbreak response, immunization, Reproductive Maternal, Newborn, Child Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N), and emergency preparedness initiatives. • Foster and maintain strong collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, partners, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to support health system strengthening and integrated programming. • Facilitate the timely collection, analysis, and dissemination of public health data to guide evidence-based decisions and program adjustments. • Support capacity building for state health teams and partners by providing technical guidance adhering to WHO standards and protocols. • Oversee operational functions of the WHO state office, including logistics, human resources, finance, procurement and security in coordination with technical program priorities. • Actively participate in state-level Coordination Group platforms, taskforces, and technical working groups to ensure WHO representation and alignment with broader health sector efforts. • Ensure full compliance with WHO policies, Field Offices Standard Operation procedures, and donor requirements in all operational and programmatic activities at the state level. • Prepare and submit regular situation updates and operational reports to the WHO Hub Office. • Ensure State monthly Returns, Weekly Financial reports are submitted timely • Integrate and implement Preventing, responding to Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment activities in the state. • Perform any additional duties related WHO work as assigned by supervisor, as requested.

• Teamwork • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences • Communication • Producing results • Setting an example

Minimum three (03) years of experience in planning, developing and implementing programmes/projects in the area public health, including emergency response; ideally in humanitarian setting.

• Proven track record in managing WHO or similar UN agency programs covering both emergency and routine public health settings. • Strong technical knowledge and experience in surveillance, outbreak response, immunization, RMNCAH+N, and health systems strengthening. • Excellent communication, coordination, leadership, and interpersonal skills. • Strategic thinking and effective problem-solving skills. • Ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams. • Skilled in multisectoral stakeholder engagement and partnership building. • Proficiency in data-driven decision-making and performance monitoring. • Strong orientation towards results, accountability, and transparency.

This is a national assignment the Volunteer is responsible for their accomodation.

Potential interview questions