Director, Governance, Languages, Communications and External Relations

The Director leads WHO/Europe's work in external relations, communications, publications, language services, and governing bodies. The role provides strategic support, builds partnerships, coordinates WHO governing body meetings, and ensures effective communication and policy implementation across the region.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Regional Office's work in external relations, communications and publications, language services, and governing bodies.
• Provide high level strategic support through policy, managerial and diplomatic advice to senior management.
• Promote a culture of high performance, teamwork, ethical behaviour and integrity in accordance with WHO policies, rules and procedures.
• Support monitoring the implementation of the Global Policy Group of WHO (GPG) decisions and strategic directions in the Region.
• Build partnerships and contribute to effective three-level coordination ensuring countries benefit from WHO resources.
• Oversee and ensure rapid and clear information flows with other regions and WHO headquarters in areas of responsibility.
• Contribute to WHO regional coordination and serve as a member of EURO's Executive Council.
• Coordinate the technical secretariat for WHO governing body meetings and other senior management and advisory meetings.
• Interact with technical directors to ensure implementation of policy decisions of WHO governing bodies.
• Perform other duties assigned by supervisors.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in public health, international relations, communications, social sciences or business management.
• Training in public health related issues (desirable).
• At least 15 years of national and international experience with some years at the international level in a senior management position including experience in developing countries.
• Extensive writing and communications experience.
• Experience in multipartner health programme management and leadership.
• Experience guiding and interpreting WHO rules and procedures, including close familiarity with the work of the Regional Office and WHO governing bodies.
• Experience in the political and/or diplomatic arena (desirable).
• Ability to exercise leadership and to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels.
• Diplomatic skills.
• Ability to negotiate and engage in new partnerships.
• Ability to coordinate teams with different backgrounds in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent writing skills in English in a variety of styles and under tight deadline pressure.
• Ability to develop messaging and positioning for an international organization.
• Demonstrated networking skills, excellent interpersonal skills.
• Thorough understanding of public health and international development issues, with the ability to quickly understand, process and communicate new information.
• Proven ability to plan, execute, collaborate and work independently with donors, partners, etc.
• Expert knowledge of English.
• Intermediate knowledge of French, German and/or Russian (desirable).

Skills

• Public Health Expertise
• International Relations
• Communication Management
• Health Programme Management
• Leadership in international organizations
• WHO Rules and Regulations
• Diplomacy Skills
• Negotiation Skills
• Multicultural Team Leadership
• Strategic Messaging Development
• Networking Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Policy Implementation
• Donor Engagement Strategies
• English Reading Skills
• Governance Coordination
• Publications Management
• Meeting Coordination

Languages

English, French, German, Russian