Public Health Specialist
Employer: U.S. Embassy Nairobi
Announcement Number: Nairobi-2026-060
Job Details
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya
- Employment Type: Full-time (40 hours per week, Monday – Friday)
- Application Deadline: 2nd April 2026
- Salary: KES 7,978,159 – KES 13,562,881 per year
- Grade: LE – 0550 12
- Promotion Potential: LE-12
- Telework: Not Eligible
- Vacancy: 1 Position
Job Summary
The U.S. Mission in Nairobi is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Public Health Specialist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The position serves as a senior advisor in public health, responsible for program development, technical guidance, interagency coordination, and oversight of public health initiatives in Kenya.
Key Responsibilities
Program Management (50%)
- Lead development of public health program goals, policies, and strategies
- Prepare policy documents, proposals, and operational plans
- Coordinate with government ministries, NGOs, and international partners
- Provide technical direction for grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements
Technical Assistance (20%)
- Support Government of Kenya and Ministry of Health in implementing high-quality health programs
- Develop policy guidance, training materials, and technical frameworks
- Act as a national and international resource in public health
Administrative Management (15%)
- Oversee program budgets and financial accountability
- Review partner budgets and monitor fund utilization
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for stakeholders
- Maintain data systems and ensure data integrity and confidentiality
Interagency Coordination (15%)
- Represent CDC Kenya in technical and policy meetings
- Coordinate with U.S. government agencies and development partners
- Lead or participate in technical working groups and special projects
Qualifications
Education
- Doctoral degree required (MD, PhD, DVM, or equivalent) in:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Policy
- Medicine or closely related field
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of mid-to-senior level experience in public health programs
- Additional 1 year of managerial experience supervising staff
Language Requirements
- English: Level IV (Fluent – reading, writing, speaking)
- Swahili: Level III (Good working knowledge)
Knowledge and Skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of public health systems, disease surveillance, and outbreak response
- Strong understanding of Kenya’s health system and Ministry of Health structures
- Expertise in program planning, monitoring, and evaluation
- Experience with grants, budgeting, and financial oversight
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SAS, Stata, R or equivalent)
- Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to manage complex programs and influence policy decisions
Additional Requirements
- Must obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance
- Subject to background investigation and possible medical examination
- Must be able to start within a reasonable time after clearance
Benefits
The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for local employees.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all individuals regardless of race, religion, gender, nationality, disability, or other protected status.
Hiring Preference Order
- AEFM/USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
- AEFM/USEFM
- Foreign Service on LWOP and Civil Service with reemployment rights
How to Apply
For detailed job description and application instructions, visit the official U.S. Embassy recruitment portal.