Associate Public Health Officer

Associate Public Health Officer Vacancy at UNHCR

February 22, 2026

B

Family

Family

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-04-01

Associate Public Health Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Associate Public Health Officer is a member of a multidisciplinary team and contributes to ensuring that UNHCR's public health programmes meet minimum UNHCR and global health standards in order to minimise avoidable morbidity and mortality among forcibly displaced and stateless persons and towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Public health programmes include primary health care, secondary health care, sexual and reproductive health (including HIV), nutrition, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS).

The incumbent provides effective and timely technical guidance and support to partners for UNHCR’s responses in public health and monitors the response and provides technical guidance to management in the absence of a more senior public health staff.

S/he supports the developing, implementing and overseeing health strategies, including in the inter-agency context. S/he advances the concepts found in UNHCR’s Global Public Health Strategy as well as the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and applies a humanitarian-development nexus lens to UNHCR public health programming and the mainstreaming/inclusion of refugees into national health programmes, advocacy for refugees’ inclusion into national universal health coverage plans including health insurance and other social protection schemes.

The Associate Public Health Officer is usually supervised by a more senior public health staff or in the absence thereof, by operations/programmes staff.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Provide support and recommendations on the implementation of public health programmes in a multi-sectoral and coordinated manner in cooperation with government, UN agencies, NGOs, and other humanitarian and development partners with due consideration to the approaches outlined in the Global Compact on Refugees, health-related pledges linked to the Global Refugee Forum and in support of the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG3.
• Support a strategic approach to public health towards greater inclusion and access of refugees to national health systems including social health protection as applicable.
• Participate in relevant coordination and collaboration structures.
• Support robust and timely emergency responses to new refugee influxes and disease outbreaks with a focus on inclusion and access to national health systems from the onset of an emergency.
• Participate in relevant assessment and identification of needs, recognise and support the contributions of governments and other actors so as to align with and support national health system as much as possible.
• Support the work with stakeholders, including Ministries of Health, UN agencies, NGOs, development actors and academic institutions in the development of public health response plans including multi-year, multi-partner solutions strategies and funding appeals such as regional refugee response plans or other humanitarian appeals.
• Work closely with programme and other units as applicable in programme planning and monitoring as well as the review and analysis of relevant project proposals and budgetary submissions presented by UNHCR partners within the context of the UNHCR programming cycle and standards.
• Support intersectoral collaboration throughout all stages of programme cycle between public health, and other sectoral areas to promote synergies and maximise impact.
• Assist with the implementation of relevant UNHCR Health Information System suite of tools and surveys to support in analysis, interpretation, reporting and use of public health data as well as linkage/integration with national data systems including disaggregation by nationality.
• Support capacity strengthening of UNHCR and its implementing partners to ensure the technical integrity of public health programmes in a coordinated, multi-sectoral way.
• Engage in relevant partnership fora, including in line with UNHCR’s role as a UNAIDS co-sponsor of the Joint Programme on AIDS and co-lead with WFP of the Division of Labour area of HIV in humanitarian settings.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making is risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

For positions in country operations

• Support public health emergency preparedness and response planning and prepare UNHCR’s lead role in response to new emergencies.
• Support, in close co-ordination with other humanitarian actors, the technical integrity of health care services and that they are based on Ministry of Health, UNHCR and/or internationally recognized and most up-to-date standards and policies.
• Support partners and work with supply and programme for efficient procurement of medicines, supplies, equipment according to UNHCR guidelines.
• Support ensuring community participation in design and implementation of programmes, fostering ownership and empowerment, ensuring inclusion of vulnerable groups, establishing two-way communication and building on local capacities and resources.
• Support compliance with, and integrity of, all Public Health Administrative Instruction/ standard operating procedures in conjunction with Project Control and Programme staff and in line with delegated authorities.

For positions in regional bureaux

• Support the coordination of public health programmes across the regional bureau and with country operations including assimilation and documentation of better practice/lessons learnt for dissemination.
• Provide sound technical advice and support (including missions) to country operations, in all aspects of public health service delivery, including in emergencies and in line with UNHCR’s policy and guidance.
• Support assessment, analysis of public health data and provision of relevant support on the technical quality of public health programming in the operations.
• Review and provide inputs for public health strategies, medicine management and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the operations and coordinate the review and clearance with HQ.

For positions in headquarters

• Collate information that supports the development of organisation-wide guidance, policies, positioning, and tools, including policy documents, technical guidance, evaluations, lessons learnt, communication and visibility materials, reports, and synthesis.
• Support the provision of technical advice and support (including missions as applicable) to bureaux and country operations in pursue of greater inclusion and access to national health services.
• Assist in technical support for the implementation of public health programs to regional bureaux and operations.
• Support public health-related knowledge management, training and learning as well as sharing analytical products and tools with bureaux and country operations to inform policies, programmes and opportunities for inclusion into national public health systems.
• Assimilate and produce better practice/lessons learnt/academic articles for dissemination.
• Support effective collaborative approaches across the team and in between divisions and bureaux.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Medicine              Medical Science                 Medical Doctor

Nursing                Public Health                      Epidemiology                      or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Experience in public health programming as well as understanding of health systems and health system building blocks. Experience with data collection and analysis. Experience in working with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common public health objectives and in position(s) where the ability to draft clear, concise documentation was essential.

Desirable

Experience in public health emergency preparedness and response. Experience in humanitarian settings. Experience with health information systems. Experience with the provision of quality-assured medicines and medical supplies.

Functional Skills

PM-Project monitoring and evaluation

PH-Public Health Epidemiology

MD-HIV/AIDS situation management

MD-Reproductive Health

PH-Community Health - Health Data Collection/Analysis/Interpretation

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Stakeholder Management

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The desired candidate profile for the Associate Public Health Officer position should encompass a combination of education, experience, skills, and personal qualities that makes the candidate well suited to the role and the operational context. The incumbent should have proven competencies and experience in auditing, accounting, monitoring and evaluation is an asset. Ability to formulate Public Health related technical requirements and Operating Procedures.

• Experience delivering or supporting public health programmes in humanitarian settings, preferably in refugee or mixed displacement contexts.
• Strong familiarity with multi sectoral emergency responses, including contexts characterized by conflict, displacement, climate shocks, and recurring epidemic outbreaks, conditions that mirror Ethiopia’s environment with cholera, measles, malaria outbreaks and high malnutrition prevalence.
• Competence in epidemic preparedness, early warning systems, and coordination with health clusters and WHO, essential due to Ethiopia’s recurrent outbreaks and strained surveillance systems.
• Hands on experience supporting national ministries of health, local health bureaus, or public health facilities.
• Ability to navigate and influence health system transitions, reflecting Ethiopia’s ongoing shift from partner’s-led health services toward regional health bureau leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in health financing, social protection, UHC integration, or insurance mechanisms, skills relevant to Ethiopia’s high level push for refugee inclusion in national health systems and Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI).
• Strong command of primary health care, SRH/HIV, nutrition, and MHPSS programming.
• Ability to analyze and interpret morbidity, mortality, utilization, and surveillance data to guide programmatic adjustmentscritical in operations where trends shift due to conflict, economic pressures, and population movements.
• Experience in designing, planning, and monitoring public health strategies, ideally within inter-agency response frameworks.

• S/he has to have a good understanding of UN Organizational Regulatory frameworks, policies, and processes.
• S/he should have a record of working with functionally and culturally diverse teams.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, analytical, and diplomatic skills are mandatory for this position.
• The incumbent should have the ability to collaborate with stakeholders, including Government authorities and both UNHCR-funded and operational partners to effectively execute his/her function.
• This role requires an understanding of programme management and project oversight skills and experiences including the formulation of a monitoring plan, , and performance verifications.

Personal Qualities:

• Adaptability and resilience: He/She should be capable of working in a challenging and sometimes volatile operational context, including emergency situations.
• Communication and Cultural sensitivity: An understanding and appreciation of the local culture in the region and a respectful approach to working with diverse population. Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with Ethiopian regional authorities, diverse refugee communities, and partners across humanitarian-development divides.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration: The ability to effectively work in a team and foster a collaborative work environment.
• Integrity and ethical conduct: Highest standards of professional and ethical behaviour in all project control activities.
• Analytical and Problem Solving: Ability to synthesize complex data into actionable recommendations in resource constrained settings.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).

Key Responsibilities

A. Technical Guidance & Quality Assurance
• Provide technical expertise and oversight to UNHCR implementing and operational partners delivering primary health care, secondary health care, SRH/HIV services, nutrition programmes, and MHPSS support in refugee and mixed settings.
• Support and monitor the transition of health service responsibilities as part of the inclusion agenda.
• Ensure adherence to evidence based guidelines, disease surveillance protocols, and standardized reporting.

B. Outbreak Preparedness and Response
• Coordinate rapid health assessments in emergency influx locations, including arrivals from Sudan, Somalia, and conflict affected Ethiopian regions.
• Work with WHO, Ministry of Health, regional health bureaus, and partners to strengthen detection and response to outbreaks such as cholera, measles, and malaria.
• Promote early warning systems and strengthen health information management.

C. Inclusion & Health Systems Strengthening
• Support national efforts to integrate refugees into Ethiopia’s Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme and broader social health protection frameworks.
• Engage actively in inter-agency coordination platforms working on refugee inclusion in national health systems, co-led by RRS, ILO, UNHCR, MoH, and the Ethiopian Health Insurance Service.
• Advocate for inclusion of refugees in national health policies, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and social protection schemes.

D. Programme Management & Strategy Development
• Contribute to designing, budgeting, implementing, and reviewing public health strategies aligned with the Ethiopia Country Refugee Response Plan (CRRP).
• Provide analysis on morbidity, mortality, service utilization, and health trends to guide programme adjustments.
• Support resource mobilization in a context where only 60% of UNHCR Ethiopia’s 2025 funding needs were met, requiring strategic prioritization of lifesaving interventions.

E. Coordination & Partnership
• Serve as an active member of inter agency health coordination groups, including the Refugee Health Sector, WHO Health Cluster, and multi-sector working groups.
• Strengthen collaboration with UN agencies (e.g., WHO, UNICEF), NGOs, development partners, and regional health authorities to ensure coherent and predictable service delivery.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Ethiopia is currently hosting over one million refugees, primarily from neighbouring countries. UNHCR Ethiopia is addressing the needs of these refugees and asylum-seekers in seven refugee-hosting regions and urban areas, as well as managing new emergency refugee influxes from Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia. Additionally, Ethiopia faces multiple internal displacement crises due to conflict, drought, and other natural and man-made disasters, leaving millions in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Protection remains at the core of all interventions for displaced communities, yet protection risks evolve rapidly, necessitating constant monitoring and adaptability.

The country context is characterized by multiple public health emergencies, including cholera, measles, malaria, high malnutrition rates, recurrent droughts, conflict‑related displacement, strained health systems in Afar, Amhara, and Tigray, and limited access to essential medical supplies. These contextual factors directly shape the strategic and operational responsibilities of the Associate Public Health Office

 

The Associate Public Health Officer, under the supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator is responsible to ensure that UNHCR’s public health interventions in Ethiopia meet global UNHCR Public Health standards and adequately respond to the diverse needs of refugees across camps, settlements, urban areas, and emergency locations. This is critical in a setting where refugees rely increasingly on government health facilities for primary and referral care, in line with Ethiopia’s progressive inclusion agenda

 

The role contributes to minimizing avoidable morbidity and mortality among forcibly displaced and stateless populations, while supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Ethiopia’s national health strategies. Public health programmes include primary health care, secondary health care, sexual and reproductive health (including HIV), nutrition, Outbreak preparedness and response, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS).

 

Associate Public Health Officer is a key member of UNHCR’s multidisciplinary team, responsible for supporting and monitoring public health programmes in camps, settlements, and urban refugee contexts. The incumbent ensures that UNHCR interventions adhere to UNHCR global standards, respond to pressing needs in Ethiopia, and uphold the goals of the Global Public Health Strategy, the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), and Ethiopia’s commitments to refugee inclusion.

The role is central to advancing Ethiopia’s ongoing transition towards integration of refugee health services into national systems, including use of government primary and referral facilities

 

Living and Working Conditions:

Addis Ababa is a category B duty station in UN security Level 1 with relatively calm environment with minimal reported crimes within the city. However, a sense of vigilance and alertness is required especially in view of the current situation in the country. Applicants are requested to adhere to security advisory before travelling to the other parts of the country.

 

Addis Ababa is a family duty station, and medical facilities are moderately available with the main services being offered at the UN operated clinic which is available to all staff members and their dependents. Transportation outside the country is readily available as major airlines operate from Addis Ababa. There are schools to accommodate national and international students. Hotels are of international standards with recreational facilities available within the city. Addis Ababa has good working and living conditions.

 

The climate of Ethiopia and the regions varies greatly. It is temperate on the plateau and hot in the lowlands. Generally, the high elevation of the land affects one's adjustment to the environment. At Addis Ababa, which ranges from 2,200 to 2,600 m (7,218 to 8,530 ft), the maximum temperature is 26 °C (78.8 °F) and minimum 4 °C (39.2 °F). The weather is usually sunny and dry, but the short (belg) rains occur from February to April and the large (meher) rains from mid-June to mid-September.

 

The economy of Ethiopia is a mixed and transition economy with a large public sector. The Government of Ethiopia is in the process of privatizing many of the state-owned businesses and moving toward a market economy. However, the banking, telecommunication, Utility services and transportation sectors of the economy are dominated by Government-owned companies.

 

The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr. Foreign currency may only be changed at authorized banks and hotels. The exchange of foreign currency outside the regulated banks (Black Market) is a criminal offence, and international UN personnel caught by police sting operations have been known to be arrested and detained for several days. Any entry or exit of cash over US$3,000 (or the equivalent in other foreign currencies) must be declared to the customs authority.

 

ATM cash withdrawals are largely available in Addis. Payment with a credit card and Mobile E-money transfer such as Telebirr and MPESA is also possible in a most of selected shops and tourism areas, this form of payment now a days is growing. There is acceptable access to communication means, such as internet, telephone, sim cards etc. in the city.

 
 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

MD-HIV/AIDS situation management, MD-Reproductive Health, PH-Community Health-Health Data Collection/Analysis/Interpretation, PH- Public Health Epidemiology, PM-Project monitoring and evaluation

Bachelor of Arts: Epidemiology, Bachelor of Arts: Medical Doctor, Bachelor of Arts: Medical Science, Bachelor of Arts: Medicine, Bachelor of Arts: Nursing, Bachelor of Arts: Public Health

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Position is opened to ONLY Ethiopian nationals
Women are strongly encouraged to apply in order to promote gender-balance within UNHCR.
Candidates may be subjected to assessment (written or oral interview).

This position requires Functional Clearance