Unit Head (Global Health Cluster), 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 objective of the Humanitarian and Disaster Management (HDM) Department is to coordinate and support global efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from humanitarian crises and disasters - including those caused by armed conflicts and/or natural hazards -particularly ensuring advocacy and provision of health care to alleviate human suffering.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic duties:

• Provides technical leadership, coordination and managerial support within the Department/Programme, in the Unit of Global Health Cluster ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.

• Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further the strategic direction for the Global Health Cluster for strengthening and improving technical capacity of target clienteles.

• Oversees a unit of technical teams 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 small 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 support of the development and implementation of M&E methods to assess Global Health Cluster performance to best 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 humanitarian bodies to promote health needs, influence policy and practice.Perform all other related duties as assigned.

  Specific duties:

  • Oversee the development of capacity building strategies and approaches toward the implementation of best practices on all aspects of the mandate of Global Health Cluster. Promote information-sharing, lessons learnt, and documenting progress and resolving insufficient progress while encouraging full inter-cluster collaboration and participation. 

  • Track surge capacity; technical, operational and coordination capacity. 

  • Assess global response needs and gaps through analysis and reporting on all aspects of effective health service delivery during emergency response.
    

    REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

    Education

    Essential: Advanced level university degree (Master’s level degree) in a clinical discipline, public health, disaster management or a related field.
    Desirable: Degree or training in development, humanitarian or international studies.
    

    Experience

    Essential: 

  • A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the management of emergency/humanitarian operations response, including experience in the area of health policies and strategies. 

• Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources, complemented with experience in interagency collaboration. 

Demonstrated experience at the international level.

Desirable: Experience in WHO, UN or IASC, cluster, humanitarian organizations/institutions, international NGOs; experience in team leadership and management.

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

Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Producing results

Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Other WHO 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 7462 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 Manual.

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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WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States ( are strongly encouraged to apply.

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