Director-General's Agenda Manager

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Position Title: Director-General's Agenda Manager
Location: Geneva
Country: Switzerland
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

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 works with countries to improve health systems, respond to health emergencies, and promote health and well-being globally.

Job Overview:
The Director-General's Agenda Manager plays a pivotal role in leading and managing the team responsible for preparing the Director-General's agenda for both internal and external meetings. This position requires astute monitoring, analysis, interpretation, and summarization of trends and developments related to political, UN-related, global, and health-related issues. The role involves mobilizing expertise from across the organization to provide strategic input to the Director-General's priorities. The Agenda Manager will also provide critical advice on various documents and policies, ensuring that the Director-General is well-prepared for engagements. This position demands a high level of diplomacy and the ability to facilitate discussions among diverse stakeholders, including representatives from member states and senior officials from other UN agencies. The role also includes overseeing the registry of the Director-General's correspondence and managing travel and events, making it essential for the candidate to have strong organizational and leadership skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the team preparing the Director-General's agenda for meetings, ensuring comprehensive preparation through monitoring and analysis of relevant issues.
• Mobilize expertise from various departments to align with the strategic priorities of the Director-General.
• Provide advice to the Chef de Cabinet on documents, policies, and guidance submitted to the Director-General.
• Advise on the prioritization of activities within the division and allocate necessary resources.
• Represent the organization and advocate for its mandate as required.
• Facilitate discussions among stakeholders, including member state representatives and senior officials.
• Supervise the creation and oversight of the Director-General's correspondence registry.
• Serve as the primary contact for Geneva-based missions, managing meeting requests and correspondence.
• Collaborate with external partners to organize travel and events, including state visits. 1
• Manage the team responsible for the Director-General's travel arrangements.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree in public health, social sciences, political science, or a related discipline is essential.
• A PhD in one of the aforementioned fields is desirable.
• A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in health management and diplomacy is required, including senior-level advisory roles.
• At least 5 years of experience in senior managerial or political roles at the international level is essential.
• Proven experience in working with diverse stakeholder groups, including diplomatic missions and UN agencies is necessary.
• Strong skills in policy development and resource mobilization are essential.
• Excellent communication and consensus-building skills are required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in public health, social sciences, political science, or a related field. A PhD in one of these areas is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of professional experience in health management and diplomacy. Candidates should have substantial experience providing senior-level advice to leadership and managing diverse teams. Additionally, at least 5 years of experience in senior managerial or political roles at the international level is essential, demonstrating the candidate's capability to navigate complex international environments and stakeholder dynamics.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization. Intermediate knowledge of French is desirable, reflecting the bilingual nature of many international organizations and enhancing communication with French-speaking stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a competitive salary starting at USD 117,280, with additional benefits including a variable post adjustment based on the cost of living in Geneva, 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, and an education grant for dependent children. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization emphasizes a smoke-free environment and has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse. Candidates must confirm vaccination status as required by WHO before undertaking assignments.