THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
VACANCIES
• Disaster Risk Management for Health (DRMH) and Emergency Medical Team (EMT)
• Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Coordinator
1. Disaster Risk Management for Health (DRMH) and Emergency Medical Team (EMT)
The World Health Organization Country Liaison Office Tonga is seeking a qualified individual to support the WHO Tonga Health Emergencies Programme (WCO WHE) in strengthening capacities for public health emergency preparedness. This role will focus specifically on Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) and Disaster Risk Management for Health (DRMH), aiming to build scalable and sustainable capacities to respond effectively to public health emergencies in Tonga.
Job Description
The Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Support Officer will provide technical and operational assistance to the Ministry of Health (MoH) Tonga and WHO in strengthening national emergency preparedness and response capacities. This role will focus on supporting the Tonga Emergency Medical Assistance Team (TEMAT), Disaster Risk Management for Health (DRMH), and related public health emergency preparedness activities to ensure timely and effective health emergency responses.
Key responsibilities include:
- Support the Ministry of Health to develop and refine national emergency response plans, policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and EMT structures. Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to promote the sustainability of TEMAT through national policy frameworks and budgeting.
- Maintain and update a roster of trained emergency response personnel for national EMT preparedness and response, including recruitment of new team members and management of previously trained TEMAT members.
- Provide onsite project management support for national and regional EMT workshops, training sessions, and simulation exercises to develop, update, and test EMT SOPs and related policies.
- Manage and maintain TEMAT’s EMT cache by monitoring inventory, ensuring that equipment and supplies are deployment-ready, and coordinating with national Pharmacy colleagues for timely access to medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
- Actively participate in national and subnational EMT workshops and exercises to support the continuous improvement and validation of TEMAT SOPs and policies in coordination with the Ministry of Health.
- Support the strengthening of Disaster Risk Management for Health (DRMH) capacities by integrating TEMAT into national policies and budgets and facilitating coordination with other relevant ministries and agencies.
- Foster and strengthen inter-agency working relationships between the Ministry of Health and other relevant ministries and response agencies to enhance health emergency preparedness, with particular emphasis on DRMH.
- Provide timely monthly written status reports to the Ministry of Health and WHO detailing progress and updates on national EMT capacity building and emergency preparedness initiatives.
The SSA/EMT will work to support Tonga’s Ministry of Health (MoH), under the supervision of of the Country Liaison Officer, with additional technical support from international experts coordinated by WHO’s Health Emergencies colleagues in the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) and Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO).
Educational and experience requirements:
Education and Training
- Bachelor’s degree in medicine, Nursing, Health Sciences, Disaster Risk Management, or a related/relevant field.
- Specialized training in emergency management, international aid, humanitarian principles, health system recovery, or health cluster coordination is highly desirable.
Experience
- Experience working at the national level in health emergency preparedness or response.
- Demonstrated knowledge of rapid response operations related to clinical care and public health in emergency settings is highly desirable.
Skills and Knowledge
- Understanding of national and emergency response procedures at both strategic and operational levels, with a focus on health care delivery in challenging and austere environments.
- Excellent communication skills, including negotiation and advocacy.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Language
- Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.
Other Skills
- Proficiency in standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Strong presentation and reporting skills.
Details of the proposed position:
- Salary for this position will be based on qualifications and experience.
- Duration of position: One year, with potential to renew subject to performance and funding.
Download TOR Here: 
WHO-TOR SSA_EMT.pdf
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2. Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Coordinator
The World Health Organization Country Liaison Office Tonga is seeking a qualified individual to serve as NonCommunicable Disease (NCD) Coordinator in Tonga. The successful applicant will be assigned to the Ministry of Health to support and strengthen the implementation of the Tonga National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2021–2025 (extended to 2030). This role will involve coordinating multisectoral efforts, enhancing leadership and strategic planning, and overseeing key prevention and control activities targeting major NCD risk factors—including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and mental health. The coordinator will work closely with the Health Promotion Unit, Tonga Health, and the National NCD Committee to monitor progress, mobilize resources, and engage communities in reducing the NCD burden across the Kingdom.
Job Description
The NCD Coordinator will be responsible for aiding and technical support to the National NCD Programme in strengthening and sustaining NCD prevention, screening, and management services in Tonga at all levels. The role also includes ensuring that all program activities, including those involving community engagement and health promotion, comply with relevant Workplace Health & Safety requirements.
Key responsibilities include:
Education:
- Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Health Policy, or related field.
- Master’s degree preferred.
Experience:
- National-level experience, ideally within government or health systems.
- Knowledge of NCD risk factors, health promotion, and policy development.
- Experience in project coordination, program implementation, or M&E is an advantage.
Skills:
- Stakeholder engagement and multi-sectoral coordination.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
- Able to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams.
- Effective presentation and technical communication skills.
Language:
- Fluency in English (spoken and written) required.
- Proficiency in Tongan is an asset.
Technical Skills:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Skilled in report writing and data presentation.
Core Competencies
- Building and Promoting Partnerships:Develops and sustains collaborative relationships across sectors, agencies, and communities to support NCD prevention and control.
- Respecting and Promoting Individual and Cultural Differences: Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and inclusiveness in interactions, upholding dignity and respect for diverse populations.
- Producing Results: Delivers high-quality, timely, and measurable outcomes aligned with program goals and national health priorities.
- Communicating in a Credible and Effective Way: Conveys information clearly and confidently, adapting messages to varied audiences to support engagement and action.
- Knowing and Managing Yourself: Demonstrates self-awareness, accountability, and resilience under pressure, with a commitment to continuous improvement.
The SSA/ NCD Coordinator will work to support Tonga’s Ministry of Health (MoH), under the supervision of the Country Liaison Officer, with additional technical support from international experts coordinated by WHO’s Health Emergencies colleagues in the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) and Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO).
Details of the proposed position:
- Salary for this position will be based on qualifications and experience.
- Duration of position: One year, with potential to renew subject to performance and funding.
Download TOR Here: WHO_TOR-SSA_NCD Coordinator.pdf
Applications
This position will close on 28 July 2025. Applicants for this position should submit a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and resume/CV by email to the following address:
The Team Coordinator
Office of the WHO Representative, Country Liasson Office
Nukualofa, Tonga
Email:wptonclo [at] who [dot] int
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Assessment of applicants for this position may include a written test.
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