Public Health & Noncommunicable Diseases Officer

This UNV assignment supports WHO’s work on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) as part of its broader public health and health security agenda in the country. The role contributes to strengthening the prevention, management, and continuity of care for NCDs, including in emergency and fragile settings.

Through the joint NCD and WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) workplan, WHO is working to better integrate NCD services into national health plans, including emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. This ensures that people living with NCDs continue to receive essential services during crises.

The UNV Officer will provide technical support and coordination at the country level, support the implementation of NCD activities, liaise with national health authorities and partners, and contribute to strengthening national capacity in line with WHO global and regional guidance and national priorities.

 Support the integration of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) into primary, secondary and tertiary health services, with a focus on maintaining essential, people-centered and equity-based NCD care during service disruptions in fragile, conflict-affected and emergency settings. Provide technical assistance to develop and contextualize a national essential NCD services package aligned with WHO HEARTS and PEN, including stakeholder engagement, cost estimation, prioritization and policy dialogue to define high-priority services to be sustained during crises, and ensure feasibility within health system capacity, financing and service delivery models. Promote meaningful community engagement for NCD prevention and management.

 Strengthen NCD workforce capacity for all-hazards contexts by supporting the development and updating of national clinical guidelines, protocols and training materials; conducting training needs assessments; coordinating training, mentorship, supportive supervision and continuous professional development for primary, secondary and community health workers. Contribute to and co-organize a Community of Practice on NCDs in emergencies to share progress and address challenges.

 Support the inclusion of NCDs across national emergency preparedness, response and recovery by serving as an NCD focal point within IMSTs; contributing to needs assessments, coordination, procurement (including NCD kits) and resource mobilization; engaging in multisectoral and inter-agency platforms; and coordinating implementing partners to ensure quality and alignment. Assist with integrating NCD services, medicines and diagnostics into contingency and humanitarian response plans; develop operational tools for continuity of care (service packages, procurement lists, protocols and referral pathways); improve NCD kit utility, design and indicators; and contribute to humanitarian appeals, donor proposals, advocacy materials and tracking the effects of funding constraints on NCD services.

 Strengthen monitoring, reporting and evaluation by developing a WHO country workplan; integrating NCD indicators into national HIS and IMST reporting; designing data collection tools for service availability, quality and outcomes; building capacity on data use for planning and quality improvement; producing regular progress reports and analyses; supporting NCD risk factor surveys (e.g., STEPS) and use of findings for policy/programming; documenting good practices and lessons learned; and supporting NCD-focused emergency operational reviews and follow-up action plans.