Health Adviser

Job Description

Job Description: Health Adviser – Thailand

Location: British Embassy Bangkok
Team: Economic & Sustainable Development (ESD)
Reports to: Regional Health Director

Main Purpose of the Job

The British Embassy Bangkok is a large diplomatic mission with approximately 140 staff delivering a dynamic programme in support of the UK’s objectives, including sustainable development, prosperity, trade, security, open societies, consular services, and law enforcement. The Embassy values diversity, inclusion, and the core values of Generosity, Ambition, and Courage.

The UK’s Global Health Framework sets out the ambition to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” In line with this, the UK is expanding cooperation with Thailand, ASEAN, and its member states to:

• Strengthen global health security through improved preparedness and response to epidemics, pandemics, drug-resistant infections, and climate change.
• Strengthen health systems and address risk factors for ill health, aiming to end preventable maternal and child deaths and support the rights of women and girls.

The UK already collaborates with Thailand and SE Asia on health initiatives including: non-communicable disease prevention, molecular diagnostics (including genomics), health system strengthening, AMR surveillance, and health R&D. The recently launched ASEAN-UK Health Security Partnership (HSP) programme focuses on health security, system resilience, and climate-related health impacts.

Role Summary:
The Health Adviser will lead UK cooperation with Thailand on health, deliver the HSP programme, support structured policy exchange, build external networks across government, multilateral organisations, academia, and civil society, and provide expert advice to the Embassy and UK government departments to maximize the impact of UK investments in health.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Lead UK Health Policy Engagement with Thailand (40%)

• Provide policy analysis on Thailand’s health agenda, including Universal Health Coverage, global health security (AMR, genomics), healthy ageing, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Prepare policy briefs, risk/opportunity analyses, and communications materials on UK-Thailand health partnerships.
• Develop and maintain networks across Thai health sector stakeholders including the Ministry of Public Health, think tanks, civil society, UN agencies (WHO, FAO, UNEP), and academia.
• Represent the UK at working-level meetings, events, and visits to communicate UK health objectives.
• Collaborate with UK government departments (e.g., DHSC, Department of Business & Trade, Science & Technology Network) to support bilateral health, trade, and S&T objectives.
• Convene and chair the Embassy’s Health Delivery Group to strengthen coherence and impact of UK cooperation on health in Thailand.

2. Support Regional Delivery of the ASEAN-UK HSP Programme (40%)

• Act as lead health adviser for HSP Pillar 3, supporting the Quadripartite (WHO, FAO, UNEP, WOAH) in implementing the ASEAN One Health Plan of Action.
• Lead HSP workstreams and manage stakeholder relationships as agreed with the Regional Health Director.
• Contribute to HSP programme monitoring, evaluation, learning, and communications activities.
• Support HSP implementation in neighboring missions (e.g., British Embassy Vientiane) as required.

3. Support Evidence-Based UK Health Programmes in Thailand (20%)

• Provide technical advice and oversight of grants under HSP, supporting monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
• Manage stakeholder relationships, including the HSP delivery consortium, government, and grantees.
• Advise on sustainable, evidence-based approaches aligning with ASEAN and Thailand health priorities.
• Provide technical input to other UK health initiatives in Thailand, including research grants and Health Security Agency activities.

Additional Responsibilities

• Contribute to Embassy-wide committees or voluntary roles to support smooth operations and uphold Embassy values.
• Travel approximately quarterly within Thailand and SE Asia, with occasional travel to the UK.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Essential:

• Postgraduate degree in Public Health or related field (Health Policy, Global Health & Development, Epidemiology, Veterinary Medicine) or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in a relevant field.
• Team player with strong collaboration skills and a passion to make a difference.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Fluent in Thai and English.

Desirable:

• Experience managing complex development projects/programmes.
• Knowledge and experience applying a One Health approach across human, animal, and environmental sectors.
• Experience working regionally within SE Asia or with ASEAN.
• Established domestic and regional stakeholder networks.

Required Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Application Deadline: 12 November 2025