Director

• Purpose of the Position

       To ensure administrative services for the Africa Region are effective and efficient and support the implementation of the Regional Strategy and the Programme Budget. The position provides strategic direction and vision for the General Management and Coordination (GMC) Cluster encompassing Human Resources, Budget and Finance, Information and Communication Technology, Operations and Support Services, Compliance, Procurement, Health and Medical Services, Security, and related functions serving the Regional Office for the African Regions (AFRO), its hubs and 47 WHO country offices.  The position ensures the implementation of strong governance, internal control and risk management frameworks, and adherence to WHO rules, regulations and policies.  The Director provides senior level advice and guidance to the Regional Director and the AFRO senior management and is accountable for the overall management of the Cluster to meet the goals and objectives of WHO and the African Region.

·       Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective

The GMC Cluster supports WHO’s regional and country operations through coherent administrative, logistical, and operational frameworks, and application of the best practices in the areas of the Cluster's overall responsibility. 

Through an integrated service delivery model, including a dedicated support hub, the Cluster supports country offices and the regional office, enhancing operational efficiency, consistency and responsiveness across the Region.

·       Organizational context (Describe the individual role of incumbent within the team, focus in on work environment within and outside the organization)

       Reporting directly to the Regional Director (UG level), the Director of General Management and Coordination, directly and through overall line responsibility extending across the Regional Office and to individual countries, carries overall managerial responsibility for financial, administrative and personnel management services. As part of the Senior Management team in the Region, the position directs and motivates a team of expert staff that contribute to WHO fulfilling its mandate in the Africa Region.

The GMC Director is a senior adviser to the Regional Director, a high-level counterpart to the administrative management WHO Headquarters, and a key liaison with host governments in respect of protocol and related issues. The post holds primary responsibility for full implementation of WHO's internal control and accountability framework across the region. The Director will build strong partnerships and foster consensus with External Partners, Member States, UN Agencies, Donors and other stakeholders.

·  Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected)

Provides leadership and direction to the Cluster, and to administrative staff and functions in country offices.

·       Provide strategic leadership and direction for the GMC Cluster and its functions. 

·       Ensure effective delivery and integration of corporate services across the Region. 

·       Strengthen governance, internal control, risk management and compliance frameworks. 

·       Advise the Regional Director and senior management on corporate services and operational matters. 

·       Promote efficiency, continuous improvement and alignment with WHO policies. 

·       Direct and develop staff and ensure effective management of resources. 

·       Facilitate coordination between regional and country operations. 

·       Represent the Organization in administrative and operational matters. 

·       Ensure follow-up on audit recommendations and compliance requirements. 

·       Perform other related duties as required. 

1.     Recruitment Profile

Competencies: Generic

Select up to two additional core, management and leadership competencies. See the Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model Guidelines.

           *1. Teamwork

           *2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

           *3. Communication

            4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond;

            5. Ensuring the effective use of resources

2.   Competencies: Management

For all Positions that possess Managerial/Supervisory responsibilities, an additional mandatory Management Competency is required.

Is this a Supervisory Position? Yes

1.  Creating an empowering and motivating environment

3.   Functional Knowledge and Skills

·  Describe the essential knowledge and the skills specific to the position

- Very good skills in modern management methods as applied to large complex international administrations.

- Strong sense of leadership and responsibility, with demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking.

- Ability to promote effective human relations in an international environment.

- Ability to negotiate with officials in Member States and other organizations regarding administrative, legal and financial issues.

- Additional desirable qualifications: experience in administrative streamlining and change management; ability to work collaboratively and independently, adapt quickly and be proactive, flexible and resourceful.

4.   Education Qualifications

·  Essential

       An advanced-level University degree in Business Administration, Management, Human Resources, Finance, Supply Chain, Project Management, or other discipline related to the functions of the position.

Desirable

       Certification on business process management re-engineering methodologies; training in WHO's Project Management framework (from the Project Management Centre of Excellence).

6. Experience

* Essential

       - At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in managing programmes at international level.

      - Experience in programme / project planning, management, and successful delivery of cross functional or interdependent projects, some of which should be at the global or international level.

      - Demonstrated experience and success in managing business initiatives, within a corporate environment across different locations and/or across different departments/functions.

      - Demonstrated professional experience working with senior-level or executive-level management.

      - Demonstrated experience with business process re-engineering using best practice and standard processes.

      - Demonstrated experience in vendor negotiations and management.

Desirable

       Knowledge and 5 years of senior experience of WHO Business Operations in the fields of Programme Management, Human Resources, Finance and/or Supply is an advantage including experience at all 3 levels of WHO.

7. Use of Language Skills

Languages

·       Essential: Excellent knowledge of English or French with a good working knowledge of the other.

·       Desirable: 

8. Other Skills (e.g. IT)

       MS Office Suite (Word, Excel,Outlook, Powerpoint,Visio,etc). MS Sharepoint, Workflow systems,MS Project (Professional or Enterprise)

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 130,477 (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 4926 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

• 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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int [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 shws@who.int [link removed].

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