Overview

Lead the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health in providing scientific, technical, and policy expertise to Member States and stakeholders. Provide leadership, management, and direction to the Department in delivering its objectives.

Tasks Summary

• Lead the articulation of a clear departmental vision and ensure its operationalization.
• Lead the Department in providing scientific, technical and policy expertise to Member States and other stakeholders.
• Provide overall leadership, management accountability, and direction of the Department.
• Work with and facilitate collaboration across Departments and Divisions within HQ and with Regional Offices and Country Offices.
• Provide senior level technical advice and expertise to Executive Management and DG.
• Provide strategic leadership to foster cross-departmental, cross-divisional / clusters and across three-level collaboration.
• Integrate technological, digital and scientific advances into the work of the Department.
• Anticipate scientific and technological advances.
• Direct and lead overall establishment and development of the Department's evidence-based policies, strategies and WHO guidelines.
• Oversee the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the Department's area of work.
• Serve as the scientific, technical and policy reference among UN Agencies and other key players.
• Build strong partnerships and fosters consensus building with External Partners, Member States, UN Agencies, Donors, cutting edge research institutions and other stakeholders.
• Promote the integration of Regional and Country Office perspectives and operational capacities into the Department's programme area of work.
• Strengthen institutional coherence by integrating efforts across HQ, regional, and country levels.
• Champion collective action through coordinated resource mobilization, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Lead and coordinate resource mobilization efforts.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.
• Oversee global surveillance and monitoring of NCDs and mental health.
• Develop and support the implementation of WHO guidelines, norms, and standards on NCDs and mental health.
• Strengthen country capacities to apply evidence-based policies and integrate NCD and mental health services into health systems.
• Guide the development and monitoring of national action plans focused on prevention, early detection, treatment, and integrated care.
• Collaborate across WHO departments and with partners to integrate public health and clinical interventions.
• Anticipate global trends in NCDs and mental health.
• Streamline technical products to improve quality and reduce duplication.
• Drive research, innovation, and resource mobilization.
• Represent WHO in global forums.

Experience Requirements

• A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the management of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.
• Senior-level experience advising decision-makers and guiding strategic direction.
• Proven ability to lead diverse, multidisciplinary teams and manage financial resources.
• Strong background in analyzing scientific evidence to inform strategies and policies.
• Extensive international experience collaborating with governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.
• Skilled in managing complex partnerships and advocating for multisectoral NCD and mental health policies.
• Demonstrated success in designing and implementing community-based interventions to reduce NCD burden and improve mental health outcomes.
• Experience in conducting or coordinating operational research in the relevant technical areas.

Qualification Requirements

• An advanced level university degree in medicine, science, global health, epidemiology, public health, health economy, or fields strongly related to the department's portfolio in NCDs and Mental Health.
• Specialized training in diverse range of Noncommunicable diseases and Mental Health.
• A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Other Details

Languages Required: • Expert knowledge of English.

Languages Preferred: • Intermediate knowledge of French. • Intermediate knowledge of Another UN language.

Contract Duration: 2 years

Work Modality:

Remuneration: • Annual base salary starting at USD 128,422 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable). • A variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 9749 per month for the duty station indicated above. • Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.