OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The Division of the Regional Director (RDD)provides the visionary leadership and, together with BOS, supports the Country Offices and all the other Divisions in the efficient delivery of the EPW through agile transformation and implementing WHO Value Charter. RDD has the overall responsibility for the planning, execution and evaluation of WHO programmes at the regional and country levels and in strengthening the alignment and joint work across the three levels of the organization. It is the safeguard of the WHO Values Charter. It encompasses the enabling functions of resource mobilization and alliances, external relations and communications, and support to governing bodies of the European Region, in addition to organization development, staff development and learning, and transformation. It also specifically includes the representative function of WHO with the institutions of the European Union, the EURO Ombudsman who reports directly and independently to the Regional Director, and the committee on staff health and wellbeing. The Behavioural and Cultural Insights Flagship (BCI) works together with Member States and WHO technical programmes to systematically explore the perspectives and experiences of individuals and communities. These insights help Member States address the barriers and drivers of health and well-being, thereby making healthy behaviours possible, acceptable, convenient and attractive. The BCI vision is a European Region where all individuals and communities are enabled and motivated to adopt healthy behaviours, in their daily lives and in the way they use health services. Overall, the BCI works in four areas: Support to country projects; Capacity building; Advocacy; Partnership. Key principles for the BCI work relate to 1) gathering insights which can be translated into action within multiple settings and related to health policy, services and communication; 2) valuing people's experiences and placing people at the centre of interventions; 3) applying a cross-cutting and multisectoral approach involving many partners; and 4) focusing on implementation in countries.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Within the context of the European Programme of Work, the purpose of the post is to coordinate health literacy and behavioural and cultural insights-related work at regional level and in close collaboration with Member States. The aim of this work is to explore, document and disseminate the value of this work in improving health access, in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours and a culture of health and in equitably extending the benefits of health services, prevention and treatment. This includes project coordination, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in close contact with country focal points, researchers and partners. In addition, the post involves liaising with multiple stakeholders and partners at national, regional and global levels.
Key duties:
- Work with Member States and WHO Country Offices to plan and implement in-country and inter-country behavioural and cultural insights research and projects, including related to health literacy, which aim to strengthen the experience and expertise in Member States to identify barriers and drivers to healthy practices and to leverage such insights for effective health policies and programmes and document their impact. This involves providing technical support, and coordinating the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and documentation of projects in collaboration with Member States, WHO colleagues and partners.
- Help build capacity in Member States through engagement as a planner and facilitators in workshops and training activities conducted by the BCI. Help with developing guidance documents, policy recommendations, evidence mappings, case studies and toolkits, drawing on behavioural and cultural insights, not limited to but with a particular focus on health literacy.
- With the aim to build even stronger and more coordinated effort among stakeholders in this field, liaise and build partnerships with international organizations, development agencies, civil society organizations, WHO Collaborating Centres and other academic institutions, private sector and public health institutes as well as with WHO at all levels and in all regions.
- Promote the use of behavioural and cultural insights methods and approaches, including with a focus on health literacy, through advocacy with peers in Member States and among partners, through representing WHO at conferences, scientific meetings and other events, and through contributing to the promotion, dissemination and communication of BCI work and new evidence.
- Contribute to the WHO emergency effort through applying behavioural and cultural insights methods in health emergency response and preparedness work.
- Perform other duties as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) within the fields of humanities, public health, or social science, i.e. psychology, anthropology, sociology, international development, or another relevant field.
Desirable: University degree (Master's level) or training in any of the above fields.
Experience
Essential: At least five years' experience working in fields relevant to behavioural and cultural insights, health literacy and/or public health at national or international levels.
Desirable: Demonstrated experience working with(in) WHO, the UN at national, regional and/or global level, or in multi and/or bilateral agencies active in the health sector.
Experience working in/with national health ministry or agency.
Skills
- In-depth knowledge of applying social science and behavioural and cultural insights methods and approaches, including health literacy.
- Demonstrated knowledge of health systems and contexts of countries in the WHO European Region.
- Ability to take responsibility for own work, handle problems effectively and deliver high quality results. Excellent interpersonal communication, written communication and presentation skills.
- Ability and willingness to work in a team with other professionals of different nationalities and cultures, to support and encourage colleagues and to stay positive in the face of challenges.
- Emotional intelligence; Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Knowing and managing yourself
Producing results
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Russian.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French and/or German.
REMUNERATION
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 71,335 (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 4720 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Staff members who have been separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will be given special consideration.
- This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- 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.
- The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
- Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
- WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.
- Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
- 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 a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical 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 shws@who.int.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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This position is no longer open.
