The role of the Chef de Cabinet, Office of the Regional Director is to support the Regional Director (RD) so as to enable her/him to fulfill the RD functions smoothly and effectively. To develop and manage at the highest level effectively the programmes and activities under her/his responsibility and to coordinate with key stakeholders and partners in- and outside of WHO for the achievement of the Organization’s mandate. The incumbent will be responsible for advising the Regional Director on high-level strategic matters of the Organization, liaising with the teams that report to the Office of the Regional Director, and for the supervision of the regional coordination of the cross-departmental portfolios of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Gender Equality, Human Rights and Health Equity (GRE) as well as the supervision of the Governing Bodies (GBs); Translation / Interpretation Services (TIS) and Transformation. In the context of the region’s multiple concurrent emergencies, the incumbent will also ensure high-level coordination between teams working with a focus in health emergencies and teams focusing on health systems resilience and multisectoral approaches for healthier populations and well-being to address the particular needs of Member States from a humanitarian-development nexus perspective.
The Office of the Regional Director provides regional direction to the work of the Organization within the overall framework of WHO's Constitution by putting into practice political acumen and strategy, so as to maximize region-wide contribution to the work of Member States in achieving significant gains in health under all relevant sectors of the governments.
The Department of Chef de Cabinet supports the Office of the Regional Director and has the responsibility for planning, execution and evaluation of WHO programmes at the regional and country level and in strengthening the alignment and joint work across the three levels of the organization.
The incumbent will perform the following duties:
- . Ensuring effective and efficient management of the RDO and units under her/his direct supervision and enabling a working environment of respect and team spirit, of a high-level of motivation and performance and a high focus on results and impact among all team members.
- Effectively collaborating with teams and staff that report directly to the Regional Director, identifying opportunities for synergies and ensuring smooth and efficient coordination of the work of the Office of the Regional Director in relation to the work of other teams.
- Coordinating and supervising the overall implementation, progress and delivery of the strategic objectives and activities of the units under his/her direct supervision and ensuring collaboration with other teams in the Organization at the regional, country, and headquarters level and with other UN agencies.
- Advising the Regional Director on major policy questions, sharing general responsibility for the direction of WHO in respect of the relevant strategic objectives.
- Supporting the Regional Director in her/his health diplomacy functions related to Member States, UN and multilateral affairs to strategically position the Organization and its vision within the Region.
- Representing the Organization within the delegated authority and advocating for the Organization's mandate in often highly politically complex and sensitive environments; facilitating discussions among different and competing stakeholders such as representatives of Member States, senior government officials, major donors, senior officials of other UN agencies and non-state actors.
- Providing strategic health diplomacy support and capacity building to the WHO Representatives to enable and strengthen engagement with the highest level of governments of Member States including their representatives in WHO governing bodies.
- Supporting, as delegated by the Regional Director, the implementation of flagship initiatives and priorities internally and externally.
- Supporting the Regional Director in linking her/his vision and work with that of Country Offices and Headquarters.
- Assisting the Regional Director in the development of the highest-level corporate policies and strategies, anticipating the opportunities for the Organization to enhance delivery of value to Member States and partners.
- Providing support, as delegated by the Regional Director, in enhancing the functions of the country offices, including monitoring and evaluation support, as well as preparation for, and response to, external evaluations and internal oversight of country offices.
- Monitoring and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of programmes and activities under his/her responsibility and identifying areas of the department requiring alignment with other organizational priorities.
- Promoting organizational culture, openness and participation in transformational change which appreciates challenges as a source of innovation and an opportunity for further advancing the Organization's mandate.
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the Regional Director.
Essential: Master’s degree in public health, international relations, management or other areas of substantive relevance to the responsibilities of the CdC portfolio.
Desirable: Training in public health related issues, health diplomacy, leadership, and management
Essential:
- At least (15) years of experience at national and international levels in public health, international relations, management and/or administration.
- Substantive experience at the international level in senior management and/or executive positions.
Desirable:
- Experience of working in developing countries.
- Experience in leading and managing complex organizations.
- Experience in the Eastern Mediterranean Region at the country and/or regional level.
- Experience with WHO/UN governing bodies.
- Political acumen and negotiating experience with the highest levels of government and representatives of a broad range of stakeholders.
- Ability to build and maintain a professional and supportive environment among colleagues considering the fast-paced and high expectations context of the region.
- Ability to exercise leadership and to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels.
- Excellent analytical and writing skills.
- Diplomatic skills.
- Ability to negotiate and engage new partnerships.
- Ability to coordinate teams with different backgrounds in a multicultural environment towards a common goal.
- Experience in guiding and interpreting WHO rules and procedures, including close familiarity with the work of the Regional Office, the Executive Board, the World Health Assembly, and the WHO Regional Committee for EMRO.
- Teamwork*
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences*
- Communication*
- Creating an empowering and motivating environment*
- Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
- Moving forward in a changing environment
Essential: Excellent knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of Arabic and/or French desirable.
Other Skills (e.g. IT)
- Proficiency in Microsoft office.
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 117,280 (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 3470 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.
- This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application,
please ensure that:
1 -Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.
2- All required details regarding your qualifications, education, training and experience are provided under relevant sections.
3- Your experience records are properly entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.
- Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:
https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/enhanced-who-global-competency-model
- 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 Manual.
- Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
- 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
- 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 an international post with WHO are subject to 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
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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