Public Health & Noncommunicable Diseases Officer (Port Sudan) – UNV
Job Description
| Organization | United Nations Volunteers |
| Description of the assignment title | Public Health & Noncommunicable Diseases Officer |
| Host entity | WHO |
| Assignment country | Sudan |
| Duty stations | Port Sudan |
| Type | National |
| Number of assignments | 1 |
| Advertisement end date | 21/05/2026 |
Duration
9 months
(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances
Mission and objectives
Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance to live a healthy life.
Who we are
Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.
What we do
WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage. We direct and coordinate the world’s response to health emergencies. And we promote healthier lives – from pregnancy care through old age. Our Triple Billion targets outline an ambitious plan for the world to achieve good health for all using science-based policies and programmes.
Context
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.
Task description
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.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
5 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Arabic, Level: Fluent, Desirable
Required education level
Master’s degree in Essential: University degree in public health, medicine, or a related health science field. Desirable: Public health, health systems, or epidemiology.
Competencies and values
– Teamwork – Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences – Communication – Knowing and Managing Yourself – Producing Results – Moving forward in a changing environment
Skills and experience
Essential: At least five years of experience in public health program implementation, preferably with a focus on NCDs, PHC, or health systems strengthening. Desirable: Experience working in emergency or humanitarian contexts or supporting NCDs in such settings.
Area(s) of expertise
Crisis and emergency response, Development programmes, Health
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
Port Sudan is a Category E hardship duty station and non-family duty station. The Rest and Recuperation (R&R) cycle for the Port Sudan duty station is 4 weeks. Movement of international staff is restricted and takes place in UN vehicles. Working for the UN in Sudan provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. As this is an international UN Volunteer expert assignment, WHO will be responsible for arranging volunteer housing. International UN Volunteers receive a volunteer living allowance to sustain a basic, adequate, and safe lifestyle. This allowance varies from one location to another depending on local living costs, but all International UN Volunteers experts in the same location receive the same allowance. Below is a summary of the Conditions of Service. The purpose of allowances for international UN Volunteers specialists is to enable the international UN Volunteers to sustain a modest and secure standard of living at the duty station. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for volunteer work
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
Scam warning
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