| Job Description - Technical Officer (Social Determinants of Health) (2604738)
Technical Officer (Social Determinants of Health)-(2604738)
Grade:P3
Contractual Arrangement:Fixed-term appointment
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days):2 years
Job Posting: Oct 29, 2026, 4:28:56 AM
Closing Date: Nov 19, 2026, 5:59:00 PM
Primary Location: Philippines-Manila
Organization: WP/DPC Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control
Schedule: Full-time
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control (DPC) aims to support Member States in achieving healthier populations through integrated, evidence-based, and equity-focused public health action. The Division's strategic objective is to reduce the burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases, improve mental, child, and adolescent health, and address the broader determinants of health through multisectoral collaboration and life-course approaches. Through the Health Promotion and Policy (HPP) Unit, Social Determinants and Healthy Settings (SDH) Unit, and Nutrition and Food Safety (NFS) Unit, the Division supports Member States in advancing tobacco and alcohol control, injury prevention, physical activity, food safety, nutrition, and action on the social determinants of health—including gender, equity, human rights, violence prevention, and migration.
The Social Determinants and Healthy Settings (SDH) unit supports Member States to create healthier, more equitable communities by addressing the social, economic and commercial determinants of health. This is achieved by strengthening governance and leadership for health equity; facilitating intersectoral collaboration to promote healthy settings; advancing community engagement to reach vulnerable populations; and improving data, monitoring and accountability to inform policy and action, including through the integration of gender equality and human rights.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Generic Duties
1. Provide input to the work program in the area of Public health with regards to Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health and assist the Responsible Officer in the successful implementation of national health systems and/public health policies.
2. Undertakes research on the public health topics to facilitate the development and implementation of the public health programmes and activities.
3. Draft, revise and further develop public health guidelines, national strategies and provide recommendations on a plan of action for improvement in the existing public health policies and health systems.
4. Monitor work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.
5. Conduct data analyses and information on best practices and partners' experiences in implementing sustainable Public health systems and disseminate information.
6. Participates in capacity building in the area of Public health systems and the management and financing of the systems.
7. Analyze and evaluate best practices from a variety of public health databanks and information related to disease outbreak; identify disease sources and provide recommendations concerning appropriate response to identified risks, and implementation of preventative measures and prepare reports
8. Conducts a variety of community outreach activities concerning the extension of health-care networks.
9. Serve as a technical resource at counterpart level concerning communicable diseases in the country(ies); respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures
10. Perform all other related duties as assigned.
Specific duties
11. Inline with the WHO Fourteenth General Programme of Work, to coordinate the implementation of the social determinants policies and programmes to promote health equity.
12. To network and liaise with partners, stakeholders and other WHO offices and headquarters to foster joint initiatives at regional and country levels.
13. Produce high quality written documents such as concept notes, technical briefs, draft oral communications and reports on the SDH and related issues.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: A first university degree in public health or social sciences or health sciences or related discipline.
Desirable: Advanced university degree in public health, sociology, gender, equity, community engagement and/or human rights.
Experience
Essential: At least five years' experience, including relevant international exposure, in public health and health inequity programmes. Experience in social determinants of health and cross-cutting issues, including gender, human rights and health equity mainstreaming
Desirable:
Skills
- Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of social determinants of health and their role in reducing health inequities
- Ability to adapt and apply the general concepts of health equity and social determinants and proportionate universalismto country contexts
- Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills
- Integrity, tact, discretion and sensitivity to cultural differences
- Good negotiation, communication and advocacy skills Excellent writing skills
- Ability to review and revise policies and objectives
- Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct
- Ability to demonstrate gender equity and cultural appropriateness in the delivery of services to Member States.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Other UN languages.
REMUNERATION
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 71,335 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1629 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.