WHO Representative Talent Pipeline

Grade: Multiple grade levels (P5/D1/D2)

Primary Location: Multiple locations

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 2 years

Job Profile Summary

The Head of the WHO Country Office represents the Director-General and Regional Director at country level and serves as WHO’s senior representative, trusted adviser, advocate, and accountable leader for health.

As the strategic leader of WHO’s country presence, the incumbent positions WHO as a leading and trusted health authority through policy dialogue, high-level advocacy, effective negotiation, and engagement with government and partners. They promote Health in All Policies and whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, applying strategic vision, political acumen, and foresight to navigate evolving health, geopolitical, financing, and partnership environments.

As WHO’s lead diplomat, the incumbent builds trust, forges consensus among diverse stakeholders, and safeguards WHO’s neutrality, credibility, scientific integrity, and technical mandate. As the principal strategic and technical adviser, the incumbent provides authoritative, evidence-based guidance and mobilizes WHO expertise, networks, and innovation to support Member States in advancing national health priorities. They translate global standards and scientific knowledge into country-led action and coordinate partners, collaborating centres, and experts to deliver tailored solutions.

As Head of Office, the incumbent ensures sound stewardship, compliance, risk management, resource management, and results-based delivery. They lead, develop, and retain a high-performing workforce through effective leadership, performance management, succession planning, and talent development, while fostering an ethical, respectful, inclusive workplace and ensuring zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, discrimination, fraud, retaliation, and other misconduct.

Through this leadership role, the incumbent unites global, regional, and country capacities, enabling WHO to operate as One Organization and support Member States in achieving sustainable health outcomes and measurable impact.

Job Functions

• Provide strategic leadership, diplomacy, and advocacy to advance national health priorities and position WHO as a trusted partner and authority in health.
• Advise governments and partners on health policy, Health in All Policies, and whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches.
• Coordinate technical cooperation aligned with country priorities, WHO norms and standards, and the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS).
• Convene governments, partners, civil society, communities, and other stakeholders to build consensus on complex health issues, including emergencies and humanitarian crises.
• Mobilize resources, strengthen partnerships, and support sustainable health financing and delivery.
• Lead the WHO Country Office, ensuring effective planning, implementation, compliance, risk management, communication, staff management, and a respectful workplace with zero tolerance for misconduct.
• Promote health priorities within the UN Country Team and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

1. Strategic Health Leadership, Diplomacy and Advocacy

Purpose: Represent WHO, advise governments, and advance national health priorities through evidence-based policy dialogue, diplomacy, and advocacy.

• Advise and negotiate with governments and partners to advance health policies and national priorities.
• Provide authoritative guidance on WHO norms, standards, and Member State commitments.
• Lead policy dialogue and support the development and implementation of national health strategies, including emergency preparedness and response.
• Represent WHO, convene stakeholders, and strengthen partnerships to promote coordinated action.
• Lead the development, implementation, and review of the Country Cooperation Strategy.
• Ensure health is effectively integrated into UN country planning and coordination processes.

2. Country-Led Technical Cooperation and Partnerships

Purpose: Mobilize WHO expertise and partnerships to support implementation of national health priorities and sustainable health impact.

• Support Member States in implementing WHO norms, standards, guidance, and evidence-based interventions.
• Coordinate expertise across WHO and external partners to provide integrated, country-specific support.
• Build strategic partnerships and coordinate technical cooperation across governments, UN agencies, development partners, academia, civil society, and communities.
• Strengthen partner coordination, preparedness, emergency response, and recovery efforts.
• Enhance national capacities in health data, evidence generation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Support resource mobilization, sustainable health financing, and national capacity development.
• Promote collaboration across WHO and South-South, triangular, and regional cooperation.

3. Operational Management and Accountability

Purpose: Ensure effective governance, stewardship, and management of the WHO Country Office.

• Lead the management of human, financial, technical, operational, and logistical resources in compliance with WHO policies.
• Oversee results-based planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and resource management.
• Ensure strong governance, transparency, accountability, compliance, and risk management.
• Build and sustain a high-performing, diverse, and inclusive workforce through leadership, performance management, succession planning, and staff development.
• Foster an ethical, respectful workplace with zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, discrimination, fraud, retaliation, and other misconduct.
• Provide strategic analysis and country intelligence to WHO senior leadership.
• Lead WHO communications and visibility at country level.
• Ensure the safety, security, and well-being of personnel and eligible dependents.

Minimum Requirements

Education Essential:

• Advanced university degree in public health, health sciences, health systems, or a medical-related field.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Broad knowledge of public health, health systems, and global health priorities.
• Knowledge of WHO and/or United Nations system strategies, policies, programmes, and operational frameworks.
• Demonstrated political acumen and ability to lead high-level advocacy and policy dialogue on health-related Sustainable Development Goals, including engagement with Ministries of Finance, non-traditional partners, United Nations Country Teams, and Resident Coordinators to advance health priorities through the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
• Demonstrated ability to provide authoritative, evidence-based advice across health systems and public health programmes.
• Excellent diplomacy, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proven management skills, including strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and management of human and financial resources.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with tact and diplomacy in diverse, multicultural, and politically complex environments.
• Ability to recognize limitations, seek support when required, and promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Experience Essential:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive relevant international experience in health-related fields.

• At least two years of relevant country-level experience, including engagement with governments and external partners.

Language Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

For more information and for the actual vacancy: Job Description - WHO Representative Talent Pipeline (P5/D1/D2) (2602951)