WHO: SSA – Climate Change and Health Project Officer (HNAP Implementation) – Port Vila

Background

Vanuatu is one of the highly vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. Climate change poses significant risks to public health, including increased incidence of vector-borne diseases, heat-related illnesses, respiratory Climate change is one of the greatest threats to health in the Pacific region, with impacts already being experienced through extreme weather events, sea-level rise, changing disease patterns, food and water insecurity, and disruption of essential health services. Pacific Island Countries are increasingly prioritizing climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems through the development of Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs), Climate and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments (V&As), and integration of climate and health priorities into national adaptation planning processes.

The Pacific Climate and Health Resilience Package (PCHRP), funded by the Australian Government under the Partnerships for a Healthy Region Initiative (PHRI), supports Pacific Island Countries to strengthen climate-resilient and equitable health systems. Under Activity 3 of the PCHRP, WHO is partnering with the Government of Vanuatu to strengthen implementation of the Vanuatu Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP) and advance alignment with broader national adaptation processes.

Vanuatu recently launched its HNAP and has demonstrated strong political commitment to climate and health action. However, implementation systems, coordination mechanisms, monitoring arrangements, and mainstreaming of climate and health priorities into broader health sector planning processes require further strengthening to operationalize the HNAP effectively.

As part of this support package, WHO will embed a Climate Change and Health Project Officer (HNAP Implementation) within the Vanuatu Ministry of Health through an SSA arrangement until June 2027. The incumbent will support coordination and implementation of HNAP activities, strengthen institutional systems for climate and health action, support alignment with National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, and facilitate integration of climate and health priorities into relevant health sector policies, plans, and programmes.

Job Description

The Climate Change and Health Project Officer (HNAP Implementation) will provide technical and coordination support to the Vanuatu Ministry of Health for operationalization and implementation of the Vanuatu Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP).

The incumbent will support coordination of climate and health activities across relevant Ministry divisions and stakeholders, strengthen monitoring and implementation systems, facilitate alignment with national climate adaptation processes, and support mainstreaming of climate and health priorities into health sector planning, policies, and programmes.

The incumbent will work closely with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, WHO, government stakeholders, regional partners, and development agencies to strengthen climate-resilient health systems in Vanuatu. Key responsibilities include:

Support coordination of Pacific Climate and Health Resilience Package (PCHRP) project activities in Vanuatu, by contributing to preparation of workplans, progress reports, briefing notes, presentations, and other documentation required by WHO and the Ministry of Health.

Support coordination and operationalization of the Vanuatu HNAP, including facilitating implementation planning, coordination meetings, monitoring and progress reporting, and follow-up actions.

Assist in the identification of barriers, gaps, and enabling factors related to HNAP implementation and support development of practical recommendations.

Facilitate alignment and integration of HNAP priorities with broader national adaptation planning processes, including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and related climate policy frameworks.

Support the Ministry of Health in strengthening institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms related to climate change and health.

Liaise and coordinate with relevant government ministries, provincial authorities, development partners, civil society organizations, and regional stakeholders engaged in climate and health activities.

Support mainstreaming of climate and health priorities into Ministry of Health policies, strategies, operational plans, and relevant technical programmes.

Support organization and facilitation of consultations, workshops, stakeholder meetings, and technical discussions related to climate and health.

Support documentation, reporting, knowledge management, and dissemination of climate and health initiatives, lessons learned, and good practices.

Support climate and health-related assessments, policy reviews, and technical activities undertaken under the PCHRP Activity 3 support package.

Undertake other climate change and health-related duties as agreed between WHO and the Vanuatu Ministry of Health.

Educational and experience requirements:

Education

Essential: University degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Climate Change, Environmental Management, Health Policy, Health Systems, Development Studies, or another relevant field.
Desirable: Postgraduate qualification or advanced degree (master’s) in Public Health, Climate Change and Health, Environmental Health, Health Policy, Health Systems, or related field.

Experience

Essential:

• At least five years of relevant professional experience in public health, climate change, environmental health, health systems strengthening, health policy, or related areas.
• Experience supporting coordination and implementation of government programmes or projects.

Experience in report writing, stakeholder coordination, and technical documentation.

Desirable

• Experience working on climate change and health programmes, adaptation planning, or environmental health initiatives.
• Familiarity with Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), or climate policy frameworks.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, implementation tracking, or policy mainstreaming.
• Experience working with WHO, UN agencies, or development partners is an asset.

Technical skills and knowledge

• Sound understanding of climate change and health linkages and climate-resilient health systems approaches is desirable.
• Knowledge of health systems strengthening, policy processes, and government coordination mechanisms.
• Strong coordination, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong analytical, report writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to support implementation planning, monitoring, and tracking processes.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Competency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel domestically where required.
• Knowledge of WHO mandate and goals or experience in UN Organizations, international institutions, or NGOs is considered an asset.

Competencies

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships
• Technical expertise
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Languages

Essential: Fluency in English language.
Desirable: Knowledge of Bislama and/or French language would be an asset.

Details of the proposed position:

• Salary for this role will start from VT 209,167 to VT 258,500 per month. (equivalent to the Vanuatu Govt. Band T3.1 – T3.5), subject to qualifications and experience.
• Duration of contract: 11 months initially, with potential extension.
• This role is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by Vanuatu nationals recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• Alternatively, applicants who face technical issues accessing the portal can submit a cover letter and a detailed CV, with the subject line “2601877: SSA – NCD Coordinator” via email to DPSRecruitment@who.int, addressed to:
  The WHO Country Liaison Officer
  WHO Country Liaison Office
  Port Vila
  Vanuatu

Additional Information

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test/interview may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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.
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