Unit Head, Staff Health and Well-being

The objective of the programme is to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all WHO staff across the three levels of the Organization by implementing comprehensive occupational health and safety policies, security measures, and support services. The immediate strategic objective is to create a safe and healthy work environment that minimizes risks, ensures safety and security, promotes well-being, and enhances productivity across all levels of the organization.
 

Under the general supervision of the Director, OSH, the Unit Head, Staff Health and Well-being(SHW) is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to,the following assigned duties: 

1. Manage the Staff Health and Well being unit by implementing strategic objectives, preparing operational workplans, monitoring implementation, and assisting in the management of budget and human resources, including recruitment, staff development, performance management, conflict resolution, and career support.

2. Act as the Principal Coordinator of occupational health across the organization and monitor the OHS framework across WHO in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

3. Design Health Promotion Programmes to enhance health and well-being of the workforce.

4. Monitor health risks affecting the WHO workforce, including emerging disease outbreaks in order to adjust response plans and provide practical guidance to WHO workforce on protective measures.

5. Contribute to WHO's efforts to foster an inclusive workplace, including for people living with disabilities, and support necessary workplace accommodations.

6. Oversee medical evacuations and emergency medical responses, including mass casualty and pandemic situations, and ensure a 24/7 emergency response mechanism is in place.

7. Provide advice to the Director (OSH) on matters related to the Advisory Committee on Compensation Claims and WHO Staff Pension Committee.

8. Advise on special allowances for health reasons. 

9. Represent the Director on medical boards and various committees.

10. Advise the Director (OSH) on the technical supervision of regional medical teams.

11. Advise the Director (OSH) on UN medical services in the context of outbreaks and epidemics and facilitate updates to medical recommendations with the support of WHO technical expertise (e.g., malaria prophylaxis and treatment).

12. Perform other related duties as required.
 

Essential: An advanced University degree (Master's level or above) in Medicine. License to practice medicine from any jurisdiction.
Desirable: Additional certification in a broad range of related fields, such as occupational health, training, stress management, conflict resolution, or cross-cultural communication.
 

Essential: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in general or internal medicine, including experience in an international context, either in private practice or in a hospital or institutional setting. Candidates must not have interrupted their medical practice for more than one year. At least five years of successful experience managing medical and multidisciplinary teams.
Desirable: Demonstrated leadership, management and teambuilding skills. Experience in emergency management (crisis or disaster medicine), including medical evacuation, and travel medicine. Experience in occupational health assessments, including fitness-for-work evaluations and medico legal appeal procedures. Experience in sick leave management, return to work processes, and workplace inclusion for personnel requiring workplace accommodation. Experience in working in partnership with other UN agencies and international NGO. Experience in managing electronic patientrecord systems. Knowledge of organizational policies and practices. Experience in the administrative management of a medical service, including experience as a head of unit. Experience in addressing the medical and psychosocial needs of humanitarian workers, with the ability to interact effectively with medical personnel in countries and with staff across organizations. Strong analytical skills and the ability to make timely and appropriate decisions in a range of medical situation. Experience in setting and implementing a strategic plan and leading change management processes, with the ability to influence and coordinate multiple stakeholders.
 

Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentation). Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills.
 

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
5. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable: Expert knowledge of Other official UN language.

 

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.
 

• Staff members who have been 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/ [link removed]. 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.

• 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 [link removed]) 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 [email protected] [link removed] 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 [link removed] 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 [email protected] [link removed].

• 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. [link removed]

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