Manager, Information Technology Management

Qualifications

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The GMC Cluster supports WHO’s regional and country operations through coherent administrative, logistical, and operational frameworks, and application of the best practices in the areas of the Cluster's overall responsibility.
Through an integrated service delivery model, including a dedicated support hub, the Cluster supports country offices and the regional office, enhancing operational efficiency, consistency and responsiveness across the Region.
The objective of ITM is to carry out in an efficient and reliable manner all activities related to informatics, telecommunications and communication systems and technologies, at both strategic and operational levels for the African region of WHO.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

1. Lead, manage and motivate a team of Professional and support ITM staff responsible for the    design and delivery of all the ITM-related activities in the WHO African Region;
2. Provide leadership and oversight for the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of ICT systems, policies, and strategies in the WHO African Region;
3. Lead the transformation of ICT into a driver of business innovation, promoting automation, real-time data applications, artificial intelligence, and standardization across all operations. Oversee the roll-out and optimization of cloud services and tailored connectivity solutions, enhancing service quality and fostering greater autonomy at country office level.
4. Guide the design and implementation of modern, flexible workplace solutions to support secure, seamless remote work and a digitally enabled workforce.
5. Strengthen capacities of local IT teams to support the gradual decentralization of IT services, empowering country offices to effectively manage and troubleshoot ICT challenges.
6. Oversee and coordinate Information and Communication Technology activities, procedures and activities within the region;
7. Ensure the streamlined operation of the ITM unit in alignment with WHO and AFRO strategic objectives;
8. Identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective ITM solutions for all aspects of the organization;
9. Define and implement ITM standards, policies, procedures and best practices to ensure high quality of services across the region;
10. Coordinate the design, development, maintenance and upgrade of all ICT services and systems in the region. This includes the: Global Management System (GSM) and Business Management Services (BMS), WHO Identity System (WIMS), Global Private Network (GPN), Users' IT devices; wiring, switching and         telecommunication infrastructure, data centres, web-based systems and corporate and health database applications and systems;
11. Coordinate the regional ICT steering committee and systematic technical review of ICT initiatives, in collaboration with WHO global IT, technical clusters and country offices, to reduce duplication and ensure alignment with organizational priorities, architecture and security standards;
12. Establish consolidated reporting of ICT expenditure and consumption, including cloud financial management (FinOps), in collaboration with finance and procurement, and identify opportunities to optimize cloud resources, applications and licences;
13. Develop and maintain a regional ICT service catalogue with standardized cloud and connectivity offerings, transparent costs and agreed service levels, adapting solutions to country operating conditions and monitoring user satisfaction and operational benefits;
14. Design, develop, implement and manage IT Business Continuity and Emergency plans for the Regional and Country offices;
15. Ensure ICT systems security and redundancy region wide.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

Advanced University (Master's degree or equivalent) in computer science, telecommunication or information systems engineering, software engineering, cybersecurity, data science, and network engineering.

Desirable:

Additional degrees, certifications and courses in information systems, management and telecommunications as part of the continuous learning are desirable.

Experience

Essential

10 years of progressive responsible experience in developing and managing information and communications Technologies systems, including several years at international level; proven track record in managing and delivering highly complex IT projects and staff management.

Desirable

Good knowledge of programme planning and management.

Skills

• The role requires strong strategic leadership and management skills to guide multidisciplinary ICT teams and drive digital transformation across the Region.
• It demands expertise in ICT strategy development,
• including automation, real-time data systems,
• AI, cloud infrastructure, and modern workplace solutions to enable secure, flexible, and decentralized operations.
• Proven ability to implement cost-efficiency measures, strengthen accountability, and build local IT capacities is essential.
• Advanced project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills are required to ensure business continuity and support in complex, multi-country contexts.
• Ability to coach and mentor other team members and provide capacity building support to peers in country offices; experience in leading knowledge management and sharing initiatives.
• Familiarity with WHO IT systems and operational needs is an asset.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.

Desirable: The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 103,165 (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 3894 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 separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• 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.

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• 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 eManual.

• 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.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• 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 information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• *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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