Unit Head, Staff Health And Well-Being

Organizational Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all its staff globally. This program implements comprehensive occupational health and safety policies, security measures, and support services to create a safe, healthy, and productive work environment across all organizational levels.

Job Purpose

The Unit Head, Staff Health and Well-being (SHW) is responsible for managing the SHW unit to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all WHO staff. This involves implementing strategic objectives, developing operational plans, monitoring progress, and managing resources. The role acts as the Principal Coordinator for occupational health, designs health promotion programs, monitors health risks including emerging outbreaks, and advises on medical and compensation matters. A key function is overseeing emergency medical responses and ensuring a 24/7 emergency mechanism is in place, contributing to a safe and productive work environment for all WHO personnel.

Responsibilities

Manage the Staff Health and Well-being unit, including strategic implementation, work planning, monitoring, and resource management (budget and human resources). Serve as the Principal Coordinator for occupational health across WHO, monitoring the OHS framework. Design and implement health promotion programs to enhance workforce well-being. Monitor health risks, including emerging disease outbreaks, and provide guidance on protective measures. Foster an inclusive workplace and support necessary accommodations for staff with disabilities. Oversee medical evacuations and emergency medical responses, ensuring 24/7 readiness. Advise on compensation claims, staff pensions, and special health-related allowances. Represent the Director on medical boards and committees, and provide technical supervision for regional medical teams and UN medical services during outbreaks.

Work Experience

Essential: Minimum 10 years of professional experience in general or internal medicine, with international context experience. Must have maintained medical practice without interruption exceeding one year. At least five years of experience managing medical and multidisciplinary teams. Desirable: Experience in emergency management, travel medicine, occupational health assessments, sick leave management, return-to-work processes, and managing electronic patient records.

Skills

Excellent communication (oral, written, presentation), strong conflict resolution and mediation skills. WHO Competencies: Teamwork, respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences, communication, driving health leadership, and creating an empowering environment. Language: Expert English, intermediate French.

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