Unit Head (Global Health Group)

• 18 August 2026 • 100% • Indeterminate duration • Geneva Job description - Unit Head (Global Health Group) (2602567) Unit Head (Global Health Group) - (2602567) Grade: P5 Contract type: Fixed-term contract Contract duration (Years, Months, Days): 2 years : 17 August 2026, 12:50:25 : 7 September 2026, 21:59:00 : Switzerland-Geneva : Headquarters/HDM Humanitarian and Disaster Management : Full time IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the application deadline indicated above reflects the system settings of your personal device. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The objective of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme is to protect global health security by strengthening the capacity of all countries and communities to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to a wide range of health emergencies. This includes building resilient health systems, strengthening essential capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR), developing surveillance and laboratory networks, training qualified health personnel, and ensuring rapid and equitable access to countermeasures. Working at all three levels of WHO and with a wide range of partners, the Programme leads coordinated efforts in risk reduction, response, and recovery, anchored in inclusivity, equity, and sustainability, and promotes cross-sectoral collaboration to address various risks and vulnerabilities within a coherent global framework. The objective of the Department of Humanitarian and Disaster Management (HDM) is to coordinate and support global efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from humanitarian crises and disasters - including those caused by armed conflict and/or natural hazards - by notably ensuring the defense and provision of healthcare to alleviate human suffering. DESCRIPTION OF FUNCTIONS Generic functions: Provides technical leadership, coordination, and managerial support within the Department/Programme, in the Global Health Group Unit, ensuring that activities in this area are conducted efficiently and effectively. Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies to be implemented in collaboration with regional and country offices, and advises on the development of the strategic direction of the Global Health Group to strengthen and improve the technical capacity of target clienteles. Supervises a unit of technical teams specialized in various areas of expertise and facilitates effective synergy among teams. Manages the programme area to achieve its objectives by effectively leading a small team of technical staff, financial resources, and work planning to optimize programme results in accordance with the Organization's mandate. Leads and conducts research on best practices in the implementation of programmes and activities and the dissemination of information for capacity building in the relevant field of work. Manages the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize the performance of the Programme's deliverables. Acts as a technical reference to the peer community, UN agencies, and other stakeholders at technical levels in the relevant field of expertise. Liaises and utilizes partnerships with other UN agencies, donors, or research institutions to support the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation methods to assess the performance of the Global Health Group and best position the technical field of work and its implementation in global and/or national policies. Represents the programme area at various meetings to advocate for humanitarian agencies to promote health needs, influence policies, and practices. Performs all other related tasks as assigned. Specific functions: Supervise the development of capacity-building strategies and approaches for the implementation of best practices across all aspects of the Global Health Group mandate. Promote information sharing, lessons learned, document progress, and address shortcomings while encouraging full inter-group collaboration and participation. Monitor surge capacity; technical, operational, and coordination capacity. Assess global response needs and gaps through analysis and reporting on all aspects of effective health service delivery during emergency response. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's level) in a clinical discipline, public health, disaster management, or related field. Desirable: Degree or training in development, humanitarian or international studies. Experience Essential: At least 10 years of professional experience in emergency/humanitarian operations management, including in the field of health policies and strategies. Demonstrated experience in human resources and financial management, complemented by experience in inter-agency collaboration. Demonstrated experience at the international level. Desirable: Experience at WHO, UN or IASC, clusters, humanitarian organizations/institutions, international NGOs; experience in leadership and team management. Competencies Concrete skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of public health/disease control programmes. Strong skills in the development and establishment of policies and strategies. Excellent