Senior Public Health Advisor

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Purpose of the position The Senior Public Health Advisor provides high-level strategic, policy, and technical support to the Director of Programme Management (DPM), contributing to the effective planning, implementation, and oversight of WHO AFRO’s programme priorities. The incumbent supports the strengthening of programme coherence, cross-cluster integration, and alignment with WHO’s General Programme of Work (GPW14) and regional strategic frameworks, ensuring quality, consistency, and results-orientation across programme management processes.

Objectives of the Programme

The Office of the Director, Programme Management provides strategic leadership, coordination, and oversight for the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the WHO General Programme of Work, AFRO strategic priorities, and the Programme Budget.

The Office drives policy development and promotes coherence across technical programme, strengthening coordination among technical clusters, including Disease Prevention and Control (DPC), Health Systems Strengthening (HSS), Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) and the Polio Eradication Programme (PEP), to ensure synergies and the coherent implementation of the General Programme of Work (GPW), and organizational priorities. It also strengthens programme planning and performance monitoring systems and ensures alignment with global frameworks and regional priorities.

Description of the Duties

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Program Management (DPM), the incumbent will perform the following functions:

Strategic and Policy Advisory Support
• Provide high-level technical and strategic inputs to support programme planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting processes aligned with GPW14 and AFRO strategic priorities.
• Support in strengthening policy coherence and advancing integrated programmatic approaches across clusters.

Programme Coordination and Cross-Cluster Integration
• Facilitate coordination of cross-cluster programme initiatives and workstreams to enhance coherence, efficiency, and collective impact across the Regional Office.
• Support the integration of cross-cutting priorities, including gender, equity, human rights, and data-for-action, into programme planning and implementation.
• Contribute to strengthening linkages between the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Cluster, the Polio Eradication programme and development clusters to support implementation of the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus.

Strategic Coordination of Governance and Managerial Platforms
• Provide technical and coordination support to key managerial and governance platforms, including the Executive Management, Regional Programme Meeting, and Directors’ coordination mechanisms.
• Contribute to strengthening coherence and functional linkages across governance structures to enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Support coordination of strategic processes, including those related to programme budgeting, biennial work planning, and implementation tracking.

Technical Quality Assurance and Strategic Documents
• Contribute to the preparation, technical review, and quality assurance of strategic documents, including reports, strategies, resolutions, policy briefs, and submissions to governing bodies (e.g., Regional Committee, Executive Board, and World Health Assembly).
• Ensure that outputs from the DPM Office meet WHO standards for quality, coherence, and evidence-based policy.

Strategic Initiatives and Institutional Collaboration
• Support the coordination of strategic initiatives and major regional processes led by the DPM Office, including cross-cluster programmes and special initiatives.
• Contribute to strengthening collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including HQ, country offices, and partners, to support programme delivery and alignment.

The incumbent may be required to perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

Recruitment Profile

Competencies

WHO Competency model: http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1
1. Teamwork*
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences*
3. Communication*
4. Driving the Organization’s position in health leadership
5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and French.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese or any other UN official language.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills in public health and programme management.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex, multi-disciplinary programmes in an international environment.
• Proven capacity to synthesize complex information and produce high-quality policy and technical outputs.
• Ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries and manage competing priorities.
• Sound knowledge of WHO programme planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation frameworks.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Required Qualifications

Education

Essential: Master’s degree in public health, health policy, health systems, or a related field from an accredited/recognized institution.
Desirable: Doctorate or additional postgraduate training in medicine, public health, programme management, or related disciplines.

Experience

Essential : At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public health, programme management, or international health, including experience at the international level.

Desirable
Experience in the UN system or international organizations.
Experience in cross-sectoral programme coordination, partnerships, and resource mobilization.

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 3,903 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 who apply to this requisition and who have been or will be separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will be given special consideration
• 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: http://www.whed.net/. 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 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 WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The 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 (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vacci