World Health Organization is looking for a Scientist (Nutrition and Food Safety Action)

Grade: P4

Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration: 2 years

Location: Switzerland-Geneva

Organizational Unit: HQ/NFA Nutrition and Food Safety Action

Schedule: Full-time

Closing date: 16 September 2026, 21:59 (Geneva time)

Objectives of the Programme

The vision of the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care (PPC) is to advance health for all by anticipating change and integrating promotion, prevention and care across all health and disease areas to address today's greatest health burdens and tomorrow's challenges.

Within the PPC Division, the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety (NFS) aims to address the burden of unhealthy diets, malnutrition and foodborne diseases, by providing guidelines, integrated services, and technical support, embedding nutrition and food safety into health, economic, and environmental agendas, and promoting access to knowledge and care for everyone.

The Nutrition and Food Safety Action Unit (NFA) drives the implementation of proven nutrition and food safety actions to reach all populations. It develops implementation guidance, tools, and partnerships to accelerate national efforts through targeted initiatives — such as those to stop obesity, eliminate industrial transfats, address wasting, and improve multisectoral collaboration for food safety. NFA focuses on maternal and child nutrition, acute malnutrition, fortification, and healthier and sustainable food environments. The unit also hosts the INFOSAN network, which connects over 800 food authorities across 194 countries to strengthen global food safety collaboration and response.

Description of Duties

• Engage with partner organizations to harmonize policies and programmes and assure full support and implementation of WHO guidance related to cardiometabolic nutrition (CMN).
• In collaboration with the WHO Regional Advisors, provide scientific, technical, and policy advice to Member States for the establishment of policies and programmes aimed at improving CMN through screening and lifestyle interventions as companions of the medical treatment of diet-related cardiometabolic diseases.
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders the development of scientific guidance and tools for the assessment, monitoring, and implementation of national intersectoral and inter-programmatic policies, plans and programmes to improve CMN.
• Coordinate the development of advocacy materials, training curricula, and other implementation tools to increase the coverage and quality of nutrition actions for CMN interventions globally.
• Ensure the timely periodic reporting to Senior Management, other UN Partners and Member States on CMN policy adoption, programme implementation, and obesity rates.
• Collaborate with the community of practice to create a peer-to-peer network and discuss implementation issues.
• Support the development of capacity building initiatives in the health system to deliver specific management services (WHO Academy Course, training for primary care physicians).
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree (Master's level degree) in nutrition, internal medicine, public health, epidemiology or related field relevant to the functions of the position.

Desirable: Additional postgraduate training in public health or public policies.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years' experience in public health nutrition, epidemiology or medical practice, with a focus on noncommunicable diseases, of which at least 4 years of relevant exposure at the international level. Proven record of development of scientific documents and policy briefs within the scope of this position.

Desirable: Experience in evaluating and translating science into policymaking. Previous experience at the country level in policy and strategy development. Working experience in WHO or other UN agency is an asset.

Skills

• Knowledge of the biology and epidemiology of cardiometabolic nutrition.
• Knowledge of public health programmes to improve the care of persons with diet-related non-communicable diseases, including obesity.
• Initiative, tact, a high sense of responsibility, and ability to communicate and collaborate harmoniously with people of varied national and cultural backgrounds, both within and outside WHO.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 86,027 (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, and currently amounts to USD 6,043 per month for the duty station indicated above. 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.
• Candidates retained for interview 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).
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO. 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 is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect, and to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations by emailing [email protected].
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

How to Apply

Apply online via the WHO careers portal before 16 September 2026, 21:59 (Geneva time).

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