SSA-Tobacco Control Public Health Officer (NOB) at World Health Organization

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. SSA-Tobacco Control Public Health Officer (NOB) Objectives of the Position The overall objective of the position is to provide high-level technical and programmatic support to the Ministry of Health and national stakeholders in strengthening tobacco control policies, legislation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation in Kenya.

The officer will contribute to advancing WHO FCTC implementation, strengthening national coordination mechanisms, enhancing surveillance and research, supporting enforcement and compliance efforts, and integrating tobacco control into broader NCD and health promotion strategies. The position will also support reporting to regional and global frameworks and facilitate alignment with global best practices and WHO technical guidance.

Roles and Responsibilities Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative and the technical supervision of the Cluster Lead Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control (DPC), the Public Health Officer, Tobacco Control will undertake the following responsibilities: The officer will provide technical support to the Ministry of Health in reviewing, developing, and implementing tobacco control policies, strategies, and regulations consistent with WHO FCTC provisions and global best practices.

This will include supporting regulatory frameworks for smoke-free environments, tobacco advertising bans, packaging and labelling requirements, taxation measures, and regulation of emerging nicotine and tobacco products. The officer will support national coordination and multi-sectoral engagement, including collaboration with government ministries, civil society organizations, academia, and development partners to strengthen implementation of tobacco control measures.

The officer will contribute to strengthening tobacco surveillance systems, including supporting implementation of population-based surveys, monitoring of tobacco use trends, and analysis of data to inform policy decisions. This includes contributing to national reporting obligations under the WHO FCTC. Provide technical assistance for operationalization of the Kenya reference laboratory for testing tobacco products.

Support the Ministry of Health in establishment and implementation of quality and integrated tobacco cessation services withing the general health care system in collaboration with multi-stakeholders. Provide technical support to multi-stakeholders for implementation of alternative livelihoods project in the targeted Counties. The officer will assist in building national and county-level capacity through development of training materials, organization of workshops, and provision of technical guidance to strengthen enforcement, compliance monitoring, and cessation services integration into primary health care.

The officer will prepare technical briefs, policy notes, donor reports, and strategic documents to support advocacy and resource mobilization. The officer will also contribute to broader NCD prevention initiatives and ensure integration of tobacco control within universal health coverage and primary health care frameworks. The officer will perform other related duties as assigned by WHO management in line with organizational priorities.

Education Requirements Essential qualifications: A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Global Health, Health Economics, or a related discipline from a recognized university. Desirable qualifications: A Master’s Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Global Health, Health Economics, or a related discipline from a recognized university.

Training in tobacco control, noncommunicable disease prevention, public policy analysis, health law, or implementation science. A postg