Organization Mission

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on 7 April 1948 as the directing and coordinating authority for international health within the United Nations system. The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) joined WHO on 14 August 1991 as a Member State. In August 2010, WHO opened a Country Liaison Office in Palikir, Pohnpei to provide country-level support to the Government of FSM, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau and in 2025, The WHO Country Liaison Office was upgraded to be a WHO Multi Country Office (WHO MCO) to cover the same countries. The WHO MCO coordinates technical assistance and partnerships across priority public health areas in the three countries.

Context

In Palau, WHO’s mandate is to support the Ministry of Health and Human Services and partners to strengthen health systems, prevent and control communicable and noncommunicable diseases, improve preparedness and response to outbreaks and emergencies, strengthen immunization systems and advance universal health coverage in line with national priorities and the WHO Constitution.

Key Responsibilities

The incumbent will provide liaison, technical and managerial support to the WHO Multi-Country Office (FSM, RMI, PLW) in the implementation of national work, including the Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA). The incumbent will coordinate WHO’s work on health development with the Ministry of Health and Human Services, UN System partners in the country, contributing to the achievement of national health objectives and commitments.

The UN Volunteer will:

• Work in close coordination with all technical focal points of the WHO Multi-country office (FSM. RMI /PLW) and the Ministry of Health and Human Services -Palau.
• Coordinate WHO activities in the country through the relevant managerial processes and responsibilities
• Establish and sustain partnerships with relevant national health stakeholders, donor and implementing partners, ensuring high technical-quality, policy-relevant and timely implementation of all activities
• Coordinate, facilitate and or support the delivery of technical and managerial advice to the
government and national stakeholders in the
o Development and implementation of sustainable, multisectoral and integrated strategies, policies, work programmes and plans, promoting optimal outcomes in one, several, or all of the constituent areas of life course: i.e., Primary Health Care; health workforce; integrated health services; health systems governance and financing; sexual and reproductive health and research; maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and ageing.
o Development/review and promotion of national policies, programs, and structures for various areas of public health – e.g. prevention and control of communicable and noncommunicable disease
o Access to and analyses of a diverse range of data and information related to public health, disease prevention and control programmes
o Reduction of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and underlying social determinants by creating and supporting the implementation of national program and goals for the prevention and control of NCDs
o Coordination with relevant partners to strengthen the implementation of surveillance systems
o Management of WHO Office’s support to the government in conducting field investigations of public health/unusual health events/ emergency response when required by the specific country or health situation.
o Leverage knowledge of local systems and cultural norms to: serve as technical communication focal point with the public; and establish new community outreach activities concerning the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of various public health issues and diseases.
o Any other relevant duties that may arise and requested by the WHO Multi-Country Office supervisor may request

Required Skills and Experience

Experience
• 5 year of experience with 3 years of relevant professional experience in public health, health programme implementation, project coordination, health administration or a related field.
• Experience working with the Ministry of Health, government agencies, UN organizations, NGOs or development partners is desirable.
• Experience coordinating projects, stakeholder engagement and preparing reports would be an asset.

Skills
• Good understanding of public health systems and health programmes.
• Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize multiple activities and manage competing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural teams and engage respectfully with local communities.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of Palauan is highly desirable.

Applicants who do not fully meet the minimum professional experience requirements for a UN Volunteer ‘Specialist’ assignment are still encouraged to apply; if selected, they may be recruited under the Conditions of Service applicable to UN Volunteer ‘Associate’ assignments.

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living Conditions

Koror is the commercial and population centre of Palau, where most government offices, businesses, health services, and amenities are located. It offers a safe and welcoming environment with access to supermarkets, restaurants, banks, telecommunications, and recreational facilities. English is widely spoken alongside Palauan, making communication relatively easy. Palau enjoys a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round and a rich natural environment, including world-renowned marine ecosystems and outdoor recreational opportunities. The country has a relatively high standard of living compared to many Pacific Island countries, supported by established health and education services. As a small island nation, the cost of living can be relatively high, particularly for imported goods and services. Public transportation is limited, and most residents rely on private vehicles or taxis for transportation. Reliable utilities, internet, and mobile services are available in Koror, although connectivity may occasionally be slower than in larger urban centres.

National UN Volunteers are expected to arrange their own accommodation and transportation. The assignment provides an excellent opportunity for Palauan nationals to contribute to strengthening the country’s health system while working closely with the Ministry of Health and Human Services, WHO, UN partners, and other national stakeholders.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”