Team Lead (Global Respiratory Threats), 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 counter measures. The objective of the PIP Framework is to improve pandemic influenza preparednessand response by improving and strengthening the WHO global influenza surveillance and response system, ensuring, on an equal footing: (i) the sharing of H5N1 and other influenza viruses with human pandemic potential; and (ii) access to vaccines and sharing of other benefits.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic duties:

• Provide technical leadership and managerial support within the Department, in the area of access and benefit sharing (ABS) as exemplified by implementation of the PIP Framework, ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively; 

• Develop and propose policies and strategies for synergistic implementation of the PIP Framework and the WHO Pandemic Agreement (WHO PA), notably in the period leading up to its entry into force, including during the development of key components of the WHO PA Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) System, to ensure that pandemic influenza preparedness and response remain at the forefront of public health considerations; 

• Collaborate with HQ teams, Regional and Country Offices and provide advice in the further development and implementation of the PIP Framework for strengthening and improving technical capacity at the global, regional and country levels; 

• Manage the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient management of the PIP Framework Secretariat, the PIP Partnership Contribution financial resources, and effective work planning across the three levels of the Organization, to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization; 

• Lead and conduct research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work; 

• Manage the monitoring, evaluation and reporting for the subject area of work, using key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms. to optimize performance of Programme deliverables; 

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

• Liaise with. and utilize. partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions to position the PIP Framework technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies on ABS for public health; 

• Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for implementation of the PIP Framework; 

• Perform all other related duties, as assigned. 

  Specific duties:

  • Oversee the conclusion of advance supply agreements for vaccines, antivirals and diagnostics to ensure real-time access by WHO at the time of the next influenza pandemic. 

  • Oversee the annual collection of the Partnership Contribution from influenza product manufacturers to support pandemic influenza preparedness and response; 

  • Lead and guide implementation of the use of Partnership Contribution funds through the development and implementation of Partnership Contribution High-Level Implementation Plans for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and similar plans for use of PIP Response funds at the time of an influenza pandemic; 

  • Provide strategic guidance on operationalization of PIP benefit-sharing tools and benefits secured, to prepare for their efficient roll-out to Member States during an influenza pandemic; 

  • Convene and manage the PIP Advisory Group as a key pillar of the PIP Framework governance; 

  • Ensure regular, systematic, evidence-based and transparent reporting to WHO Governing Bodies, Member States and stakeholders.
    

    REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

    Education

    Essential: An advanced university degree (Master’s level degree) in law and admission or certification of admission to practice law (e.g. bar exam, law society).
    Desirable: University degree in finance or business administration, or public health.
    

    Experience

    Essential: 

  • A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional legal experience, including providing legal, policy, or regulatory advice in an international, governmental, or intergovernmental context.

• Demonstrated experience engaging with the private sector, including drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements, licensing agreements, or public-private partnership agreements. 

Proven experience in dispute resolution, including international arbitration, mediation, or handling of contract-related disputes involving multiple stakeholders. 

Experience managing human and financial resources within cross‑disciplinary and multicultural environments. 

International experience involving interaction with private‑sector manufacturers, counsel, Member States, and multilateral stakeholders.

Desirable: 

Experience in financial or business administration, particularly related to fund management, contribution systems, or oversight of financial mechanisms. 

Experience in global health, pandemic preparedness, or legal frameworks related to pathogens, benefit‑sharing or health‑product regulation.

Skills

Concrete knowledge and skills to plan and coordinate multilateral, multidisciplinary public health international instruments, including their synergistic implementation.

Strong skills in the area of developing and implementing 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 Member States, Ministries of Health, donor institutions, industry partners, civil society, and other stakeholders.

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

Understanding of different clusters and functional areas.

Producing results.

Ability to integrate legal, scientific, policy, financial, and operational considerations into cohesive programme strategies, especially in the context of the PIP Framework's virus‑sharing and benefit‑sharing components.

Ability to interpret and apply international legal frameworks, agreements, instruments, and ABS principles relevant to pathogen access, pandemic influenza preparedness, and WHO's normative role.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Moving forward in a changing environment

Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

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

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 7798 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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