OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME AND OF THE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
WHOâs work in countries operationalizes the General Programme of Work (GPW14) and the European Programme of Work 2025-2029 (EPW2). GPW14 focuses on accelerating progress toward Health for All by strengthening systems for health, improving access to essential services, advancing preparedness and resilience, and reducing health inequalities. EPW2, endorsed at RC75 following extensive consultation with Member States, reaffirms WHO/Europeâs role in bringing unique value to countries through five core functions:
International knowledge hub for health â providing authoritative evidence, norms, policies and best practices from across the Region and globally to inform national public health decision-making.
Impartial coordinator for everyoneâs health â convening national stakeholders and partners to align strategies and support coherent, multisectoral responses to shared health challenges.
Leader in tracking and managing cross-border health threats â supporting surveillance, preparedness, and coordinated action on public health emergencies in line with the Preparedness 2.0 agenda.
Driver of health system transformation â advising national authorities on evidence-informed reforms and policies that strengthen health systems and improve performance.
Voice for health equity â helping countries identify who is being left behind and integrating equity considerations into health policies and strategies.
In this context, WHO Country Offices enable the translation of global and regional commitments into national action. They support Member States by providing strategic advice, convening dialogue across sectors and partners, connecting national authorities with WHOâs technical expertise, and facilitating the use of evidence and best practices to inform policy. The Head of WHO Country Office acts as a trusted advisor to the Ministry of Health and other national counterparts, fostering constructive collaboration and ensuring that WHOâs knowledge, standards and guidance contribute effectively to national health priorities and to broader regional and global health goals.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the leadership of the WHO Regional Director and guidance of senior management, the Head of WHO Country Office will:
Provide strategic advice to national authorities, through the development, negotiation, and implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA) and/or the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), ensuring alignment with GPW14, EPW2, and national priorities.
Act as a trusted advisor and impartial convenor, fostering constructive dialogue between the Ministry of Health, other government sectors, development partners, civil society, and WHO to advance coherent, multisectoral approaches to health.
Represent WHO in senior-level government discussions, UN coordination mechanisms (where relevant), and partner forums, advocating for health as fundamental to national stability, prosperity and security.
Enable access to WHOâs technical expertise, connecting national stakeholders with relevant specialists across the Regional Office, Headquarters, and regional/global networks to support evidence-informed policy-making and health system transformation.
Promote and support health security and preparedness efforts, ensuring coordination on cross-border health threats and contributing to strengthened national and regional resilience.
Bring a futures and foresight perspective to policy dialogue by identifying emerging trends, opportunities, and risks, and advising national counterparts and WHO technical divisions on their strategic implications.
Maintain strategic relationships with national institutions, public bodies, academic and scientific organizations, professional associations, and media to support informed debate, transparency, and awareness of WHOâs work.
Promote WHOâs equity agenda, helping national authorities identify inequities and integrate equity considerations into health planning, monitoring, and decision-making.
Advance the sustainability and impact of WHOâs work in the country by supporting resource mobilization efforts and strengthening strategic partnerships, including with government, UN agencies, donors, civil society, and other stakeholders. This includes facilitating access to adequate and predictable financial and in-kind resources, in line with WHO policies, to strengthen WHOâs capacity to deliver its core advisory, convening, and technical functions in support of national health priorities.
Ensure effective two-way communication between the Member State and WHO, informing national counterparts of relevant WHO resolutions, strategies, and initiatives, and providing the Regional Office with timely intelligence and strategic updates on country developments.
Contribute to monitoring and reporting, ensuring that country-level progress, challenges, and lessons feed into regional and global processes, strengthening WHOâs collective situational awareness and accountability.
Oversee the proper functioning of the Country Office, ensuring that operations are conducted efficiently, transparently, and in compliance with WHO rules, procedures, and standards.
REQUIRED QUALIFIATONS
Education
Essential: University degree in medicine, health related areas or social science
Desirable: Masterâs degree in public health and/or health management.
Experience
Essential: At least 5 years of relevant experience at the national level in managing health programmes.
Desirable:
·Experience within a UN organization.
·Experience with the management of projects
Skills
Sound knowledge of the socio-political, economic and health situation in the country.
WHO Competencies
·Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
·Producing results
·Moving forward in a changing environment
·Communication
·Teamwork
·Creating an empowering and motivating environment
USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS
·Expert knowledge of English
·Expert knowledge of local language
REMUNERATION
Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at EUR 68, 268 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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.
In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you 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), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
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