Technical Officer (Asia Pacific Observatory)

WHO - World Health Organization; Manila; On-site; PHP 3,178,000 - 3,885,000; Full time

Job summary

World Health Organization seeks a Technical Officer for the Asia Pacific Observatory based in Manila. The role focuses on analyzing health systems, producing policy-relevant evidence, and supporting APO research activities within a dynamic WHO framework.

The position requires a public health background, two years of relevant experience, and excellent English communication skills. It is a temporary 1-year appointment under Staff Rule 420.4 with full-time schedule and international collaboration

Qualifications

• Essential: two years' relevant experience in health policy and systems research, health systems analysis, or policy products.
• Desirable: experience supporting health systems research/publications with international exposure.

Responsibilities

• Analyze public health topics to support health systems programmes.
• Draft public health guidelines and action plans.
• Monitor workplans and budgets; assist in resource mobilization.
• Analyze best practices and report findings.
• Participate in capacity-building for health systems management and financing.
• Draft public health reports and act as a focal point for health topics.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Oversee APO research activities and assist in monitoring quality-control processes.

Skills

Excellent communication

English proficiency

EndNote proficiency

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Google Analytics

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description - Technical Officer (Asia Pacific Observatory) (2604467)

Technical Officer (Asia Pacific Observatory) - ( 2604467 )

Grade : P2

Contractual Arrangement : Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 1 year

Job Posting

Oct 18, 2026, 11:13:18 PM

Primary Location

Philippines-Manila

Organization

WP/DHS Division of Health Systems and Services

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 Division of Health Systems and Services supports WHO Western Pacific Region Member States with high-quality advice and assistance on health financing, health workforce, medical products, quality and safety, law and governance, women and children, rehabilitation, surgery, and health services, including primary health care, so that they can build resilient, responsive, and sustainable health systems.

APO is a WHO programme that functions as a collaborative partnership of interested governments, international agencies, the research community, and foundations. It operates within the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific under the Division of Health Systems and Services, with a mandate covering Member States in both the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions.

APO's objective is to serve as a knowledge broker between researchers and policy-makers by producing high-quality evidence to inform health policy and strengthen a culture of evidence-informed decision-making across the Asia-Pacific region. This includes increasing country-level capacity for high-quality health systems research and engaging policy-makers to increase their capacity and knowledge of evidence generated in Asia and its use.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic Duties

1. Analyze and conduct research on public health topics to contribute to the development of public health programmes and activities.

2. Participate in drafting public health guidelines and provide input to plans of action for existing public health policies and health systems.

3. Assist in monitoring workplans and budgets, including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow-up on the implementation of planned activities.

4. Analyze information on best practices in public health and health systems and report findings to the responsible officer.

5. Participate in capacity-building activities related to public health systems and the management and financing of those systems.

6. Contribute to drafting public health reports and act as a focal point for public health topics within the area of work.

7. Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Specific Duties

8. Participate in the oversight of APO research, including the production of health systems in transition reviews, policy briefs, and comparative country studies on a variety of health systems topics. This includes start-up activities to frame issues and commission work, as well as assisting in the monitoring of ongoing studies and quality-control processes.

9. Participate in research projects managed by the APO Secretariat, including secondary publications developed from other APO products.

10. Work with colleagues in WPRO and SEARO to develop and disseminate APO products, including the development of relevant content across electronic media platforms.

11. Assist with APO management practices, including updating various management documents.

12. Support the APO Director in preparing for and conducting APO Board meetings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

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 .

Experience

Essential: At least two years' relevant experience in health policy and systems research, health systems analysis, evidence synthesis, and the development of research publications or policy products .
Desirable: Experience supporting health systems research or publications, knowledge translation, or engagement with policy-makers and research institutions, with relevant international exposure .

Skills

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and logically in written and oral form, including experience producing newsletter content and running webinars.

Knowledge of and experience using referencing software such as EndNote.

Strong organizational skills and the ability to work within strict deadlines.

Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Good analytical skills and the ability to analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources.

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Excellent knowledge of English.

Other Skills, Including IT

Knowledge of Google Analytics and the Microsoft suite of software.

Ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions.

Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills by working harmoniously as a team member, adapting diverse educational backgrounds, socio-political and cultural backgrounds, and maintaining a high standard of personal conduct.

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 56,046 (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. 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 Well‑being website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [e-mail] .
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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