Scientist

WHO - World Health Organization; Genf; Vor Ort; CHF 70.000 - 89.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

30 days annual leave

Family allowances

Home leave

Education grant

Zusammenfassung

WHO - World Health Organization is seeking a Public Health Nutrition expert to harmonize CMN policies, advise Member States, and develop tools for implementation. You will coordinate policy guidance with regional advisors and collaborate across partners to strengthen nutrition actions globally.

The role emphasizes translating science into policy, building capacity in health systems, and advancing CMN interventions with international stakeholders.

Qualifikationen

• Essential Master’s level degree in nutrition, internal medicine, public health or epidemiology.
• Desirable postgraduate training in public health or public policies.
• Strong background in cardiometabolic nutrition and prevention.
• Experience translating science into policy and guidance.

Aufgaben

• Engage with partner organizations to harmonize policies and programmes and assure full support and implementation of WHO guidance related to CMN.
• Provide scientific, technical, and policy advice to Member States for CMN policy establishment through screening and lifestyle interventions.
• Coordinate development of scientific guidance and tools for assessment, monitoring, and implementation of CMN policies.
• Develop advocacy materials, training curricula, and tools to improve CMN coverage and quality globally.
• Ensure timely periodic reporting to Senior Management, UN Partners and Member States on CMN policy adoption and obesity rates.
• Collaborate with communities of practice to create a peer network and discuss implementation issues.
• Support capacity building initiatives in health systems (WHO Academy Course, training for primary care physicians).
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Kenntnisse

Cardiometabolic nutrition

Public health programs

Policy development

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Ausbildung

Master's degree in Nutrition

Postgraduate training in public health

Jobbeschreibung

Contractual Arrangement : Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 2 years

Job Posting

Job Posting: Aug 26, 2026, 9:11:40 AM

Closing Date

Closing Date: Sep 16, 2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organization

Organization: HQ/NFA Nutrition and Food Safety Action

Schedule

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 vision of the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care (PPC) is to advance health for all by anticipating change and integrating promotion, prevention and care across all health and disease areas to address today's greatest health burdens and tomorrow's challenges.Within the PPC Division, the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety (NFS) aims to address the burden of unhealthy diets, malnutrition and foodborne diseases, by providing guidelines, integrated services, and technical support, embedding nutrition and food safety into health, economic,and environmental agendas, and promoting access to knowledge and care for everyone.The Nutrition and Food Safety Action Unit (NFA) drives the implementation of proven nutrition and food safety actions to reach all populations. It develops implementation guidance, tools, and partnerships to accelerate national efforts through targeted initiatives—such as those to stop obesity, eliminate industrial transfats, address wasting, and improve multisectoral collaboration for food safety. NFA focuses on maternal and child nutrition, acute malnutrition, fortification,and healthier and sustainable food environments. The unit also hosts the INFOSAN network, which connects over 800 food authorities across 194 countriesto strengthen global food safety collaboration and response.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Engage with partner organizations to harmonize policies and programmes and assure full support and implementation of WHO guidance related to CMN.

In collaboration with the WHO Regional Advisors, provide scientific, technical, and policy advice to Member States for the establishment of policies and programmes aimed at improving cardiometabolic nutrition (CMN) through screening and lifestyle interventions as companions of the medical treatment of diet-related cardiometabolic diseases.

Coordinating with relevant stakeholders the development of scientific guidance and tools for the assessment, monitoring, and implementation of national intersectoral and inter-programmatic policies, plans and programs to improve CMN.

Coordinate the development of advocacy materials, training curricula, and other implementation tools to increase the coverage and quality of nutrition actions for CMN interventions globally.

Ensure the timely periodic reporting to Senior Management, other UN Partners and Member States on CMN policy adoption, programme implementation, and obesity rates.

Collaborate with the community of practice to create a peer-to-peer network and discuss implementation issues.

Support the development of capacity building initiatives in the health system to deliver specific management services (WHO Academy Course, training for primary care physicians).

Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree (Master's level degree) in nutrition, internal medicine, public health, epidemiology or related field relevant to the functions to the position.

Desirable: Additional postgraduate training in public health or public policies.

Experience

At least 7 years' experience in public health nutrition, epidemiology or medical practice, with a focus on noncommunicable diseases, of which at least 4 years of relevant exposure at the international level.

Proven record of development of scientific documents and policy briefs within the scope of this position.

Experience in evaluating and translating science into policymaking.

Previous experience at the country level in policy and strategy development.

Working experience in WHO or other UN agency is an asset.

Skills

Knowledge of the biology and epidemiology of cardiometabolic nutrition.

Knowledge of public health programs to improve the care of persons with diet-related non-communicable diseases, including obesity.

Initiative, tact, a high sense of responsibility, and ability to communicate and collaborate harmoniously with people of varied national and cultural backgrounds, both within and outside WHO.

Ability to work as part of a team.

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 French.

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 86,027 (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 6043 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an 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.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.

The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to [e-mail] with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [e-mail] .

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