1
assignment(s)
Fully funded
Advertisement end date:07/06/2026
General
Description of assignment title
Programme Associate for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) and Nutrition
Assignment country
Timor-Leste
Duty stations
Dili
Work location
On UN premises
Expected start date
15/08/2026
Duration
Sustainable Development Goal
3. Good health and well-being
Host entity
WHO
Modality
Onsite
Type
International
Volunteer category
Associate UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule
Full-time
Number of Assignments
1
Details
Mission and objectives
The World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting global health. Our Timor-Leste office is one of 11 country offices under the agency's South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) and has been operating since 1999. Our team comprises a diverse group of national and international staff and consultants who collaborate closely with the government and other partners. We receive continuous support from SEARO as well as the WHO headquarters in Geneva. Our work focuses on collaborating with the Timorese government and other partners to develop and implement health programs that address a range of issues. From integrated disease surveillance to capacity building, risk communication, emergency preparedness, and response, we work closely with the government to tackle health challenges on multiple fronts, by leveraging our expertise and resources. Through advocacy and support for health-promoting policies, sustainable development of health systems, and targeted health programs, we aim to reduce the burden of diseases and improve health conditions for all Timorese people. Ultimately, our work also contributes to poverty alleviation and gender equity, in line with Timor-Leste's national health development goals. We are proud to serve Timor-Leste and look forward to continuing our important work towards a healthier, more equitable future.
Context
In Timor-Leste, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), principally cardiovascular diseases, impose a major burden on health and development. Consumption of unhealthy foods and foods with high sugars, salt, and trans-fatty acids remains closely associated with the risk of non-communicable diseases. The NCD, Nutrition and Food Safety unit at WHO Timor Leste provides technical guidance and support to the National government for planning, implementation, and monitoring of interventions for NCD prevention and management, promotion of healthy diets, including policy dialogue on strengthening the regulatory framework. In recent years, the WHO has supported the Government of Timor-Leste to strengthen the national evidence base on NCDs and their risk factors, develop guidance documents and training modules on NCDs and Nutrition, and streamlining food safety mechanisms in Timor-Leste. As part of the 2026-2027 biennial workplan, WHO Timor Leste has identified key activities related to NCD, Nutrition and Food safety, including support to the development of food safety regulations, promotion of healthy diets, and strengthening prevention and control of NCDs. In order to effectively support the implementation of these priority actions, WHO Timor Leste proposes to onboard one UN Volunteer to support planning, coordination, and data management in these areas.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Technical Officer - Nutrition and the Team lead - NCD, Nutrition and Food safety [Complete with the function of the supervisor], the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Function as part of the NCD, Nutrition and Food Safety unit at the WHO Country office, Timor Leste. The UN Volunteer is envisaged to work in the role of an associate to support activities for healthy diet promotion and prevention and control of NCDs. 2. Support coordination with the Ministry of Health and other relevant ministries and stakeholders on interventions related to healthy diet promotion and prevention and control of NCDs. 3. Support facilitation of meetings and trainings, and support development of training and meeting reports for the above-mentioned priority activities. 4. Assist with knowledge management and data analysis for the NCD and Nutrition unit. 5. Support any other tasks assigned by the WHO Representative, Timor Leste.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 - 80
Required experience
1 month
Donor priorities
.
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Additional eligibility criteria
ELIGIBILITY As this assignment is funded by KOICA, specific eligibility criteria apply: - Applicants must be Korean nationals aged between 18 and 29 years at the time of application. - Applicants must be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or have graduated within the past 12 months at the time of application. - Applicants must not have more than 12 months of relevant professional experience at the time of application. - Individuals who have previously served under a KOICA-funded UN University Volunteer assignment are not eligible. APPLICATION - If you are currently enrolled in a university and have not yet obtained a university degree, indicate in the section ‘Academic qualifications’ under ‘diploma/degree obtained’ that you are still studying and towards which degree. In the ‘to’ field, enter the current date, as the system does not allow you to enter a future date. Instead of the degree certificate, upload any evidence of your enrollment, for example a transcript. - You may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ field when filling in the application form. - Application deadline: 7 June 2026, midnight UTC SELECTION - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment. Interviews will be conducted by the UN Host Entity in June. +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
No experience required
Languages
English, Level: Working knowledge, Required French, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor's degree in (currently enrolled or recent graduate) in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Child Protection/Development, Development Studies, Human Rights, or other relevant social sciences fields.
Competencies and values
Accountability Communication Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Working in Teams
Skills and experience
Demonstrated interest or experience (up to 12 months) in: • Nutrition • Healthy diets • Prevention and control of non-communicable disease • Public health • Health and nutrition Skills: • Proficient in the use of MS Word, PPT, and Excel • Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
Area(s) of expertise
Health, Development programmes
Driving license
-
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
Timor-Leste is a small country in Southeast Asia that gained independence in 2002. Since then, the country has made significant progress in development, although infrastructure remains limited, and access to basic services such as health care, clean water, and electricity can be inconsistent, especially in rural areas. The economy is largely dependent on agriculture and oil exports. The country has a tropical climate and remains vulnerable to natural disasters. Despite these challenges, the people of Timor Leste are known for their resilience, strong culture, with a focus on education and sustainable development to improve and enhance the quality of life. There are many International Professionals residing in TLS, and the country is generally very safe.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
Scam warning
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