Unit Head (AI and Frontier Technologies)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME The strategic objective of the Digital Health, AI, Health Metrics, Data and Analytics programme is to leverage cutting-edge technologies and data-driven approaches to enhance health systems, contribute WHO's core functions to provide norms and standards and improve health outcomes globally. The immediate strategic objective is to advance the integration of digital health solutions, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics into health metrics and the International Classifications and Terminologies, to optimize healthcare delivery, inform policy making, and drive evidence-based decision-making across health systems. The Department of Digital, Data and AI (DDA) leads WHO's efforts to modernize and strengthen health systems by establishing the governance, standards, and capacities that enable countries to generate, manage, and use high-quality data, digital technologies, and AI. Its core goals are to support the design and implementation of interoperable digital health architectures, the development of integrated national information systems, and the ethical, evidence-based adoption of AI in health. DDA serves as the global steward for norms, standards, policies, and frameworks that underpin effective digital and data governance, while fostering alignment across sectors to drive coordinated investment in digital public infrastructure and health information systems. By reinforcing country leadership, enabling cross-border data exchange, and promoting timely, trusted, and actionable insights, the department helps make health systems more resilient, equitable, and accountable—accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. DDA also serves as the custodian of global health indicators, supporting transparent, fair, and rigorous monitoring of global health targets.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic duties:

• Provides technical leadership, coordination and managerial support within the Department/Programme, in the Unit of AI and Frontier Technologies (AIF) 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 AIF 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 the area of AIF to 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 AIF.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Specific duties:

• Supports technical departments in identifying, designing, and evaluating AI-enabled tools and models to strengthen WHO's normative and programmatic functions.
• Advances the development and responsible use of demand-side, citizen-facing digital technologies that improve access to trusted health information and services.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in Digital Health, Health Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Health Informatics, Mathematics, Computer Sciences, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) or other fields related to the functions of the position (ICT) with focus on strategy, policy development and implementation.
Desirable:

• A PhD in public health, global health, clinical medicine, or a related health discipline.
• Formal grounding in epidemiology, health systems, or clinical practice that strengthens the application of AI to real-world health contexts is an asset.
• Additional interdisciplinary training bridging health and digital/analytical domains would be advantageous.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in Digital Health, Health Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Health Informatics, Computer Sciences, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including experience in strategy, policy development, and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources.
• Demonstrated experience at the international level.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting countries in integrating AI into national health strategies; contributing to global AI governance or normative initiatives; leading multi-partner projects or research on AI in health; and mobilizing resources for digital or AI-enabled health programs.
• Experience working in LMIC contexts and engaging in high-level policy or technical dialogues is an asset.

Skills

• The Unit Head must be a recognized global leader in Artificial Intelligence for Health, with advanced training and formal certification in health informatics and a specialization in AI and machine learning.
• They should demonstrate deep, hands-on expertise in the design, benchmarking, costing, and large-scale implementation of AI systems—including large language models, agentic AI, and multi-modal technologies— applied to strengthening national health systems.
• The ideal candidate has a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and is internationally regarded for their thought leadership at the intersection of AI, digital health governance, and health systems innovation.
• They must bring a proven track record of guiding national and global digital health strategies, including policy development and regulatory frameworks, and of securing and managing multi-partner funding portfolios.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse technical teams, engage diplomatically across sectors, and drive resource mobilization is essential to growing WHO's program of work on AI and frontier technologies in health.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

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

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 7686 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: 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 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.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.

• 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• 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 vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• 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.

• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or preferably Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) open the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates