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WHO-Public Health Officer-P3-Unity, South Sudan
Unity, South SudanPosition Title: Public Health Officer
Receiving Agency: WHO
P Level: P3
Location: Unity, South Sudan
Duration: 6 months
Language: English fluency required
1. Background and Justification
Purpose of the Position
South Sudan continues to face a widespread cholera epidemic that started in September 2024 and has thus far led to over 80,000 reported cases and 1,400 deaths. The outbreak has proven to be exceedingly challenging to contain, with newly affected locations continuing to be identified on a weekly basis. South Sudan has always faced a high risk of recurrent cholera outbreaks due to a combination of fragile health systems, weak surveillance capacity at the sub-national level, population displacement, conflict, poor access to safe water and sanitation, and climate-related shocks such as flooding. The north-east of the country is currently experiencing a rise in nearly all of these humanitarian emergency conditions, with many counties facing concurrent crises. While national and subnational-level coordination has improved, gaps in cholera response remain in early detection, real-time case investigation, hotspot mapping, and the timely implementation of outbreak control measures at the field level, especially amongst displaced populations in and from the counties along the Sobat river corridor which are currently affected by conflict, severe levels of acute malnutrition, and where flooding is imminent.
Deploying a field-based Public Health Officer (Epidemiologist) is essential to strengthening the frontline response to cholera in high-risk counties, supporting capacity building of government staff in county health departments and state ministries of health, and bolstering coordination between pillars. The officer will provide direct technical support to state and county health departments and implementing partners, supporting them with the investigation of suspected cholera cases and clusters; improving case detection and reporting through integrated disease surveillance and community-based alert systems; guide the implementation of evidence-based interventions such as targeted WASH, case-area targeted interventions (CATIs), and oral cholera vaccination (OCV); generating and using real-time data to prioritize interventions and monitor outbreak trends and response impact, as well as building local capacity in outbreak preparedness, including training county and facility staff.
In the context of limited national public health (epidemiological) surge capacity, field-based technical expertise is a critical force multiplier—ensuring timely, localized, and data-driven decision-making to contain transmission and ultimately reduce cholera-related morbidity and mortality.
WHO and other partners have largely upheld South Sudan’s surveillance and response system since independence. Following ODA cuts in 2025, this capacity at the subnational level is much reduced. This also comes at a critical juncture in South Sudan’s health sector – with the Government co-leading the Health Sector Transformation Project. We need to start building government capacity for surveillance and response at the boma, payam, health facility, and county levels, as part of WHO’s transition. Another critical priority is supporting better coordination between humanitarian partners under the cluster model and HSTP, to ensure that response to cholera and other infectious disease is joined up.
Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objectives
The mission of the Division of Health Emergencies is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.
The WHE Division brings together and enhances WHO's operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. The Programme is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.
Organizational context
Under the supervision of the Incident Manager, and with the overall guidance of the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Lead and Head of the WHO Country Office, the incumbent will serve as a field-based Public Health Officer (Epidemiology) focusing on cholera response. They will provide technical support to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and health partners at state and county level, collaborating closely with WHO Regional Office and liaising with other units and teams within the Country Office to coordinate the implementation of approved activities. Additionally, the incumbent will be responsible for reporting on activities conducted and ensuring effective communication within the team.
Summary of Assigned Duties
During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme. Through close collaboration with and the provision of technical support to the Ministry of Health and implementing partners, including FAO, ECHO, UNICEF, IOM, and UNOCHA at national and subnational levels, the following duties are assigned.
Surveillance System Management:
2. Recruitment Profile
2.Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Ensuring the effective use of resources
4. Teamwork
5.Communication
Functional Knowledge and Skills
Education Qualifications
Essential
An advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in public health, epidemiology, or statistics, from an accredited/recognized institute
Desirable
First university degree in health-related field. Specialized training in communicable diseases.
Experience
At least seven years’ related experience, at the national and international levels, in quantitative epidemiology and the implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response in humanitarian settings. Previous experience in implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR).
Language Skills
Excellent knowledge of English.
Other Skills (e.g. IT)
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.
Receiving Agency: WHO
P Level: P3
Location: Unity, South Sudan
Duration: 6 months
Language: English fluency required
1. Background and Justification
Purpose of the Position
South Sudan continues to face a widespread cholera epidemic that started in September 2024 and has thus far led to over 80,000 reported cases and 1,400 deaths. The outbreak has proven to be exceedingly challenging to contain, with newly affected locations continuing to be identified on a weekly basis. South Sudan has always faced a high risk of recurrent cholera outbreaks due to a combination of fragile health systems, weak surveillance capacity at the sub-national level, population displacement, conflict, poor access to safe water and sanitation, and climate-related shocks such as flooding. The north-east of the country is currently experiencing a rise in nearly all of these humanitarian emergency conditions, with many counties facing concurrent crises. While national and subnational-level coordination has improved, gaps in cholera response remain in early detection, real-time case investigation, hotspot mapping, and the timely implementation of outbreak control measures at the field level, especially amongst displaced populations in and from the counties along the Sobat river corridor which are currently affected by conflict, severe levels of acute malnutrition, and where flooding is imminent.
Deploying a field-based Public Health Officer (Epidemiologist) is essential to strengthening the frontline response to cholera in high-risk counties, supporting capacity building of government staff in county health departments and state ministries of health, and bolstering coordination between pillars. The officer will provide direct technical support to state and county health departments and implementing partners, supporting them with the investigation of suspected cholera cases and clusters; improving case detection and reporting through integrated disease surveillance and community-based alert systems; guide the implementation of evidence-based interventions such as targeted WASH, case-area targeted interventions (CATIs), and oral cholera vaccination (OCV); generating and using real-time data to prioritize interventions and monitor outbreak trends and response impact, as well as building local capacity in outbreak preparedness, including training county and facility staff.
In the context of limited national public health (epidemiological) surge capacity, field-based technical expertise is a critical force multiplier—ensuring timely, localized, and data-driven decision-making to contain transmission and ultimately reduce cholera-related morbidity and mortality.
WHO and other partners have largely upheld South Sudan’s surveillance and response system since independence. Following ODA cuts in 2025, this capacity at the subnational level is much reduced. This also comes at a critical juncture in South Sudan’s health sector – with the Government co-leading the Health Sector Transformation Project. We need to start building government capacity for surveillance and response at the boma, payam, health facility, and county levels, as part of WHO’s transition. Another critical priority is supporting better coordination between humanitarian partners under the cluster model and HSTP, to ensure that response to cholera and other infectious disease is joined up.
Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objectives
The mission of the Division of Health Emergencies is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.
The WHE Division brings together and enhances WHO's operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. The Programme is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.
Organizational context
Under the supervision of the Incident Manager, and with the overall guidance of the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Lead and Head of the WHO Country Office, the incumbent will serve as a field-based Public Health Officer (Epidemiology) focusing on cholera response. They will provide technical support to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and health partners at state and county level, collaborating closely with WHO Regional Office and liaising with other units and teams within the Country Office to coordinate the implementation of approved activities. Additionally, the incumbent will be responsible for reporting on activities conducted and ensuring effective communication within the team.
Summary of Assigned Duties
During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme. Through close collaboration with and the provision of technical support to the Ministry of Health and implementing partners, including FAO, ECHO, UNICEF, IOM, and UNOCHA at national and subnational levels, the following duties are assigned.
Surveillance System Management:
- Support the MoH subnational level to plan, implement, manage, and evaluate the surveillance system.
- Ensure the system's adequacy in monitoring and predicting public health events and disease outbreaks.
- Provide technical support in the investigation and response to disease outbreaks. This includes identifying potential cases, conducting epidemiological investigations, implementing control measures and monitoring their effectiveness, and developing reports on the findings.
- Guide the implementation of evidence-based interventions such as targeted WASH, case-area targeted interventions (CATIs), and oral cholera vaccination (OCV).
- Analyze surveillance data to identify trends and patterns.
- Support the preparation of regular surveillance reports and disseminate these to relevant stakeholders.
- Train and mentor local government, health facility, and boma health worker staff on surveillance procedures and disease outbreak response. This includes building capacity in data collection, analysis, interpretation, and use of surveillance data for decision-making and ensuring the sustainability and efficiency
- Work In collaboration with the WHO laboratory focal points and the National Public Health Laboratory and various partners, to enhance South Sudan's capacity to detect and diagnose cholera and other infectious disease outbreaks of public health concern, fostering integration with disease surveillance systems for the facilitation of timely and accurate data for disease prevention and control, and ensuring efficient and secure data systems for effective record keeping.
- Coordinate across humanitarian, government, and HSTP partners to ensure that resources at all levels of the health system are utilised for maximum impact in preparing for and responding to cholera and wider infectious diseases.
- Coordinate with local health authorities, non-governmental organizations, and international health agencies including UN agencies, and One Health partners and stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient surveillance operations for joint planning, investigation, and response to emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases
- Coordinate the establishment and functionality of state and county level Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), early warning systems (including event based and indicator-based surveillance) for epidemic and pandemic-prone diseases for early detection and response to public health events.
- Represent WHO in coordination meeting with partners involved in outbreak response, epidemiology and monitoring.
- Oversee and support the capacity building of health management teams and health facility staff involved in cholera response. Implement/support the implementation of ongoing training efforts for outbreak response, including case identification and management, IPC/WASH and building core surveillance, alert and response national capacities in accordance with the requirement for IHR 2005.
-
Document and share lessons learnt on strengthening boma, health facility, and county level surveillance and response systems in relevant state, including as pa
- Contribute to the preparation of relevant WHO communication products (situation reports, donors alerts, and other ad-hoc reports).
- Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor
Key Outputs at the end of six months:
1. Capacity Building Indicators
-
Strengthen boma level surveillance system for cholera and wider infectious diseases. Investigate bottlenecks and put in place measures for integrating surveillance within HSTP supported BHI in counties/states that the deployee is based.
-
Establishment and strengthening of effective state and county level coordination mechanisms for health (by the end of six months).
-
Increase in timely reporting of cholera cases in the state where the deployee is based (e.g., % of cases reported within 24 hours).
-
Improvement in data quality in the state where the deployee is based (completeness, accuracy, timeliness).
-
Establishment or strengthening of county and state level Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) – how many times h these RRTs deployed? Were they effective? Do staff have sufficient skills to respond?
-
Increased number of government personnel (CHD, SMoH, HCWs in health facilities, and BHWs) trained in cholera response and surveillance (disaggregated by gender, role, and location).
2. Recruitment Profile
Competencies
1.Creating an empowering and motivating environment2.Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Ensuring the effective use of resources
4. Teamwork
5.Communication
Functional Knowledge and Skills
- Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response with particular attention to application of an all-hazard approach in the context of the International Health Regulations and the use of event based and indicator-based surveillance, as well as descriptive epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease surveillance and response.
- Sound knowledge and skills in database management and statistical analysis, secondary data review, survey designing and implementation, monitoring and evaluation systems design or use, and public health information management.
- Proven ability to multitask across various planning and implementation processes within a highly demanding environment.
Education Qualifications
Essential
An advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in public health, epidemiology, or statistics, from an accredited/recognized institute
Desirable
First university degree in health-related field. Specialized training in communicable diseases.
Experience
At least seven years’ related experience, at the national and international levels, in quantitative epidemiology and the implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response in humanitarian settings. Previous experience in implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR).
Language Skills
Excellent knowledge of English.
Other Skills (e.g. IT)
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
- Working knowledge of online data collection applications, statistical analysis packages (Stata, SPSS, etc).
- Working knowledge of GIS mapping software (or similar) would be an asset.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.