Head of WHO Country Office

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's work is guided by the General Programme of Work (GPW) and the European Programme of Work, which focus on health equity, preparedness, and resilience.

Job Overview:
The Head of WHO Country Office plays a crucial role in operationalizing WHO's strategic objectives at the national level. This position involves providing strategic advice to national authorities, facilitating dialogue among various stakeholders, and ensuring that WHO's technical expertise is effectively utilized to inform health policies. The Head will represent WHO in high-level discussions, advocate for health as a priority for national stability, and promote health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and preparedness efforts. This role requires a deep understanding of the socio-political and economic context of the country, as well as the ability to identify emerging health trends and risks. The Head will also be responsible for maintaining strategic relationships with national institutions and supporting resource mobilization efforts to enhance WHO's impact in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head of WHO Country Office will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Providing strategic advice to national authorities through the development and implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA) and/or the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS).
• Acting as a trusted advisor and impartial convenor to foster dialogue between the Ministry of Health, government sectors, development partners, and civil society.
• Representing WHO in senior-level discussions and advocating for health as a fundamental aspect of national stability.
• Connecting national stakeholders with WHO's technical expertise to support evidence-informed policy-making.
• Promoting health security and preparedness efforts, ensuring coordination on cross-border health threats.
• Identifying emerging trends and advising national counterparts on their strategic implications.
• Maintaining relationships with national institutions, public bodies, and media to support transparency and awareness of WHO's work.
• Supporting resource mobilization efforts and strengthening partnerships with various stakeholders.
• Ensuring effective communication between the Member State and WHO, providing timely updates on country developments. 1
• Contributing to monitoring and reporting to strengthen WHO's situational awareness and accountability. 1
• Overseeing the efficient and compliant functioning of the Country Office operations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in medicine, health-related areas, or social sciences. A Master's degree in public health or health management is desirable. Essential qualifications include at least 5 years of relevant experience at the national level in managing health programs. Experience within a UN organization and project management is also desirable. Candidates should demonstrate competencies in building partnerships, producing results, adapting to change, effective communication, teamwork, and creating a motivating environment.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in medicine, health-related fields, or social sciences. A Master's degree in public health or health management is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience at the national level in managing health programs. This experience should ideally include work within a UN organization and familiarity with project management, which will be beneficial for the responsibilities of the Head of WHO Country Office.

Languages:
Candidates must have expert knowledge of English and the local language. Proficiency in additional languages may be advantageous but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role, meaning only applications from nationals of Belarus will be accepted. The remuneration package includes an annual base salary starting at USD 43,394, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. Employees are entitled to 30 days of annual leave. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from underrepresented Member States. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and all candidates will undergo background verification. The successful candidate must confirm vaccination status as required by WHO before commencing the assignment.