Medical Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Division of Healthcare Management and Occupational Safety and Health (DHMOSH), Office of Support Operations (OSO), Department of Operational Support (DOS). DHMOSH provides strategic and operational leadership and management in the delivery of healthcare services, occupational safety and health, staff well-being, and medical risk management across all UN Secretariat entities (Field Missions, Office Away from Headquarters and Economic Commissions), the New York based Agencies, Funds and Programs, as well as providing strategic leadership of whole-of-system medical issues through the UN Medical Directors Network. The Advisory Board on Compensation Claims (ABCC) is a UN Headquarters advisory body that reviews complex or disputed compensation claims arising from death, injury, illness, or loss attributable to UN service, primarily involving civilian personnel. It examines medical evidence, administrative eligibility, and legal or policy considerations, and provides recommendations to the Secretary General on the UN's liability and appropriate compensation. The ABCC plays a key role in ensuring that claims are assessed in a fair, consistent, and evidence based manner, particularly where causation or entitlement is contested. The Medical Officer reports to the Medical Director of DHMOSH or his delegate and plays expert roles in the review and preparation of complex medical evaluations and expert opinions for compensation related processes, including military casualties in peacekeeping operations and cases submitted to the Advisory Board on Compensation Claims (ABCC) as well as clinical audits targeted on medical facilities in UN field missions and duty stations.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Medical Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Conduct specialized reviews and independent medical evaluations of complex and sensitive compensation claims (civilian and military), including cases submitted to the Advisory Board on Compensation Claims (ABCC). • Assess injury, illness, and death to determine causality, severity, permanence, and degree of impairment in line with UN standards. • Provide clear, authoritative medical opinions on prognosis, service attribution, and eligibility for compensation and insurance claims. • Review and validate medical documentation from field missions, healthcare providers, and Member States, and prepare well-reasoned reports to support administrative, legal, and judicial decision-making. • Advise UN entities, governing bodies, and administrators on compensation-related medical and medico-legal matters, ensuring consistent application of relevant policies and frameworks. • Plan and conduct clinical audits of UN medical facilities to assess compliance with clinical standards, quality of care, and patient safety requirements. • Analyze audit findings, produce evidence-based recommendations, and monitor implementation of corrective actions to strengthen clinical governance and service quality. • Provide technical guidance and support to medical facilities and personnel to enhance healthcare delivery and audit capacity. • Participate in medical boards, review panels, and interdisciplinary deliberations as required. • Ensure objectivity, consistency, confidentiality, and compliance across all medical evaluations and audit processes. • Support continuity of operations, including deputizing for the Senior Medical Officer when needed. • Contribute to training, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. • Collect, analyze, and present data to identify trends and support evidence-based planning and decision-making. • Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of clinical, occupational health and medico-legal aspects of compensation and tropical/travel medicine. Demonstrates sound medical judgment and professional competence in evaluating complex compensation claims and conducting clinical audits, including the assessment of causality, impairment, prognosis, and compliance with established standards. Applies UN rules, policies, and medical frameworks consistently and impartially, producing clear and defensible medical opinions and audit findings. Shows integrity and discretion in handling sensitive medico legal information, maintains confidentiality at all times, and remains accountable for the accuracy and quality of work. Uses evidence-based analysis and data to identify risks, improve quality of care, and support informed decision making in a complex, international environment. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Communicates complex medical, audit, and compensation related information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, to diverse audiences including administrative authorities, advisory and judicial bodies (such as ABCC), and non medical stakeholders. Produces well structured medical opinions, audit reports, and briefing notes that are accurate, objective, and fit for decision making purposes. Listens actively, seeks clarification where needed, and conveys sensitive information with tact, professionalism, and respect for confidentiality in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment. • ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes responsibility for the accurate, timely, and high quality delivery of medical assessments, compensation claim evaluations, and clinical audit outputs. Ensures that medical opinions, audit findings, and recommendations are evidence based, well documented, and compliant with United Nations rules, policies, and standards. Follows through on audit findings and claim related actions, monitors implementation of corrective measures, and remains answerable for decisions and advice provided. Demonstrates reliability, transparency, and sound judgment in handling sensitive and high impact cases in a complex organizational environment. Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Medicine (such as MD or MBBS with postgraduate specialization, preferably in Occupational Medicine) is required. A first level university degree in Medicine, combined with an additional two years of qualifying clinical experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree, in accordance with UN Secretariat standards.

Job - Specific Qualification

Current unrestricted registration with the medical licensing authority of one of the Members States of the United Nations is required. Formal training in independent medical evaluation or permanent impairment assessment using a recognized methodology, such as the American Medical Association (AMA) Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment or an equivalent framework, and successful completion of the corresponding examination-based certification are required.


Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible clinical experience in medicine is required. At least three years of substantive experience conducting independent medical reviews involving causality, functional capacity, disability, permanent impairment, compensation claims, or comparable medico-legal determinations is required. Experience in authoring evidence-based medical opinions used in administrative, insurance, legal, or adjudicative decision-making is required. Experience conducting clinical audits or healthcare quality reviews is desirable. Experience in international or multi-jurisdictional settings, including UN or other international organizations, is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details).

Required Languages

Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking English UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II


Desirable Languages

Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking French UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I


Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 May 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China (People's Republic of), Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term "sexual exploitation" means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term "sexual abuse" means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term "sexual harassment" means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator's working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on "Manuals" in the "Help" tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.