Overview
The Head of the WHO Country Office represents WHO at the country level, serving as its senior representative and accountable leader for health. This role involves strategic leadership, diplomacy, and advocacy to advance national health priorities and position WHO as a trusted partner.
Key Responsibilities
- 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.
Required Experience
- 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.
Qualifications
- Essential: Advanced university degree in public health, health sciences, health systems, or a medical-related field.
- Desirable: First university degree in health sciences, a medical degree, or a doctorate in a relevant public health or health-related field.
