Technical Officer (Asia Pacific Observatory)

WHO; Manila; On-site; PHP 480,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

WHO in Manila is seeking a health policy researcher to support the Asia Pacific Observatory (APO) in bridging researchers and policymakers. You will produce high-quality evidence to inform health policy across the Asia-Pacific region and strengthen country-level capacity for health systems research.

You will help develop and disseminate APO products, engage with stakeholders, and contribute to capacity-building activities while supporting APO management and board preparations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public health or related field required.
• Master's degree desirable.
• Experience with health policy and systems research.
• Excellent written and oral communication.

Responsibilities

• Analyze public health topics to support program development.
• Draft public health guidelines and input policy analyses.
• Monitor work plans and budgets; support implementation.
• Produce health systems research reports and country studies.
• Develop APO products with regional colleagues.
• Support capacity-building activities and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist APO management and prep for board meetings.

Skills

Communication

Public health

Research

Policy analysis

Capacity-building

Webinars

EndNote

Teamwork

Analytics

MS Office

Google Analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree (Public health/related)

Master's degree (Public health/Global health)

Tools

EndNote

Google Analytics

Microsoft Office

Job description

Organizational context

Organizational context: The Division of Health Systems and Services supports WHO Western Pacific Region Member States in building resilient health systems. The Asia Pacific Observatory (APO) is a WHO program operating within this division, spanning both South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions. APO functions as a collaborative partnership to bridge researchers and policymakers.

Job purpose

Job purpose: The purpose of this role is to support the Asia Pacific Observatory (APO) in its mission to broker knowledge between researchers and policymakers. This involves producing high-quality evidence to inform health policy and foster evidence-informed decision-making across the Asia-Pacific region. The role contributes to strengthening country-level capacity for health systems research and enhancing policymakers' understanding and utilization of regional research findings. It also supports the development and dissemination of APO products and facilitates effective engagement with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities: Analyze and conduct research on public health topics to support program development. Draft public health guidelines and provide input on health policies and systems. Monitor workplans and budgets, including resource mobilization and activity implementation. Analyze and report on best practices in public health and health systems. Participate in capacity-building activities for public health systems management and financing. Contribute to public health reports and serve as a focal point for related topics. Oversee APO research, including reviews, policy briefs, and country studies, managing start-up, monitoring, and quality control. Participate in research projects and secondary publications. Develop and disseminate APO products with WPRO and SEARO colleagues, utilizing electronic media platforms. Assist with APO management practices and support the APO Director in preparing for Board meetings.

Education

Education: Essential: Bachelor's degree in public health, health policy, health economics, health systems, epidemiology, social sciences, or a related field. Desirable: Master's degree in public health, health policy and systems, health economics, global health, or a related field. Higher education must be from an accredited/recognized institution.

Work experience

Work experience: Essential: Minimum of two years of relevant experience in health policy and systems research, health systems analysis, evidence synthesis, and developing research publications or policy products. Desirable: Experience supporting health systems research, publications, knowledge translation, or engaging with policymakers and research institutions, preferably with international exposure.

Skills

Skills: Excellent communication (written and oral), ability to present information clearly, experience producing newsletter content and running webinars, knowledge of referencing software (e.g., EndNote), strong organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines, ability to work harmoniously in a team, adaptability to diverse backgrounds, good analytical skills, ability to synthesize information, knowledge of Google Analytics and Microsoft suite, ability to develop innovative approaches.