Unit Head (Emerging Zoonoses & High Impact Epidemics), Geneve

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme is to safeguard global health security by strengthening the capacity of all countries and communities to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to a broad spectrum of health emergencies. This includes building resilient health systems, reinforcing core capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR), advancing surveillance and laboratory networks, developing a skilled healthcare workforce, and ensuring rapid and equitable access to countermeasures. Working across all three levels of WHO and with a wide range of partners, the Programme leads coordinated risk reduction, response, and recovery efforts, anchored in inclusivity, equity, and sustainability, and promotes cross‑sector collaboration to address diverse risks and vulnerabilities within a cohesive global framework. The Epidemic and Pandemic Management (EPM) is responsible to enhance global health security and mitigate the impact of epidemics and pandemics through strategic leadership, evidence-driven strategies and guidance, multisectoral partnerships, strengthened threat management capacities, and equitable access to medical countermeasures. The Epidemic and Pandemic Management (EPM) is responsible to enhance global health security and mitigate the impact of epidemics and pandemics through strategic leadership, evidence-driven strategies and guidance, multisectoral partnerships, strengthened threat management capacities, and equitable access to medical countermeasures.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Provides technical leadership, coordination and managerial support within the Department/Programme, in the Unit of Emerging Zoonoses and High Impact Epidemics ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively. 

• Develops and updates evidence based technical guidance and strategies in the area of Emerging Zoonoses and High Impact Epidemics. 

• Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices, and partners, and provides advice in developing further strategies for Emerging Zoonoses and High Impact Epidemics. 

• Oversees a unit of technical teams experts specialized in various domains within their area of expertise and facilitates the efficient flow of team synergies. 

• Manages the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a team of technical staff, financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization. 

• Leads and conducts research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work. 

• Manages the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of Programme deliverables. 

• Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise. 

• Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in the Emerging Zoonoses and High Impact Epidemics to position the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies. 

• Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses. 

• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

  Specific Duties:

  • Leads the development and implementation of WHO technical strategies and operational frameworks for emerging zoonotic diseases and other high-consequence epidemic threats. 

  • Directs global technical assessments, horizon scanning and risk analysis activities to identify emerging public health threats and inform strategic decision-making. 

  • Oversees the development of scientific guidance and technical products supporting outbreak preparedness, epidemic response, and public health emergency management. 

  • Coordinates technical networks, collaborating centres and external expert groups to strengthen scientific evidence generation and policy development. 

  • Provides technical leadership during epidemic and pandemic events, ensuring the timely provision of evidence-based advice and support to Member States and WHO operational teams. 

  • Promotes integration of One Health approaches and multisectoral collaboration in addressing emerging zoonotic threats at global, regional and national levels.
    

    REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

    Education

    Essential: An advanced level university degree (Master's level degree) in medicine or advanced university degree (Master's level degree) in public health, infectious diseases or epidemiology.
    Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.
    

    Experience

    Essential: 

  • A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the prevention and control of Emerging Zoonoses and High Impact Epidemics, including experience in the area of health policies and strategies. Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources. 

• Demonstrated experience at the international level.

  Desirable: 

• Experience in project management. 

Experience in disease surveillance. 

Experience of work in international organizations.

Skills

Concrete skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.

Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies.

Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.

Good skills in mobilizing resources.

Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. 

Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership

Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 103,165 (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 7247 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

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: 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 eManual.

The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

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