Director

Organizational Context

The General Management and Coordination (GMC) Cluster supports WHO's regional and country operations in Africa through administrative, logistical, and operational frameworks. This role, reporting to the Regional Director, leads the GMC Cluster, overseeing financial, administrative, and personnel services across the Regional Office and 47 country offices. The Director is a key advisor and liaison, responsible for implementing WHO's internal control framework and fostering partnerships.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this position is to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of administrative services within the WHO Africa Region, directly supporting the implementation of the Regional Strategy and Programme Budget. The Director provides strategic direction and vision for the GMC Cluster, which encompasses a broad range of critical functions including Human Resources, Finance, ICT, Operations, Compliance, Procurement, and Security. This role is pivotal in maintaining strong governance, internal controls, and risk management frameworks, ensuring adherence to WHO rules and policies. By leading and motivating a team of experts, the Director contributes significantly to WHO's mandate in the region, acting as a senior advisor to the Regional Director and fostering essential partnerships with Member States, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders to enhance operational efficiency and responsiveness.

Responsibilities

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. Provide leadership and direction to administrative staff and functions in country offices. Manage programmes at an international level, including planning, management, and successful delivery of cross-functional projects. Oversee business initiatives within a corporate environment across different locations and departments. Engage with senior-level management. Implement business process re-engineering using best practices. Manage vendor negotiations and relationships.

Work Experience

Essential: At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in managing programmes at an international level. Experience in programme/project planning, management, and delivery of cross-functional projects. Demonstrated success in managing business initiatives in a corporate environment across diverse locations/departments. Experience working with senior/executive-level management. Experience with business process re-engineering and vendor negotiations/management.

Skills

Modern management methods, strategic thinking, leadership, responsibility, effective human relations in an international environment, negotiation skills, administrative streamlining, change management, collaborative and independent work, adaptability, proactivity, flexibility, resourcefulness.

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