Director: Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration (ECO)

Job Description

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The vision of the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care (PPC) is to advance health for all by anticipating change and integrating promotion, prevention and care across all health and disease areas to address today’s greatest health burdens and tomorrow’s challenges. Within PPC Division, the Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration (ECO) aims to reduce the global disease burden caused by unhealthy environments by igniting health-centric decisions in public policies, informing them with data, scientific evidence, norms & standards, and catalyzing support to protect the most vulnerable.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic duties

• Lead the articulation of a clear departmental vision in coherence with organizational strategy and ensure its operationalization through robust departmental performance management practices that drive measurable results and enhance overall organizational effectiveness.
• Lead the Department in providing scientific, technical and policy expertise to Member States and other stakeholders with guidance and technical data required for the development, implementation, and monitoring of national and/or global policies and programmes.
• Provide the overall leadership, management, accountability, and direction of the Department in delivering its objectives through managing and galvanizing a diverse workforce and financial resources to optimize the department’s deliverables and mandate.
• Work with and facilitate collaboration across Departments and Divisions within HQ and with RO and CO.
• Provide senior level technical advice and expertise to EXM and DG, as appropriate, in the assigned responsibilities to position the Department and Organization as a leader in the respective area.
• Provide strategic leadership to foster, encourage and facilitate cross-departmental, cross-divisional/clusters and across three-level collaboration, aligning organizational priorities to maximize synergies and impact.
• As appropriate integrate technological, digital and scientific advances into the work of the Department to ensure timely availability of information to MS and ensure greater equity.
• Anticipate scientific and technological advances by working with the MS, colleagues in WHO and the scientific community to prepare for the changing pattern of global health and ensure equitable and timely access to innovative public health and clinical interventions.
• Direct and lead overall establishment and development of the Department’s evidence based policies, strategies and WHO guidelines for roll-out and delivery for Regional and Country Office implementation.
• Oversee the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the Department’s area of work to develop key performance indicators and global reporting requirements and mechanisms to ensure optimal performance of the Department’s deliverables.
• Serve as the scientific, technical and policy reference among UN Agencies and other key players in the respective areas.
• Build strong partnerships and fosters consensus building with external partners, Member States, UN Agencies, donors, cutting edge research institutions and other stakeholders in the subject area to politically position the technical area of work and implementation into national and global policies.
• Promote the integration of Regional and Country Office perspectives and operational capacities into the Department’s programme area of work.
• Strengthen institutional coherence by integrating efforts across HQ, regional, and country levels.
• Champion collective action through coordinated resource mobilization, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Lead and coordinate resource mobilization efforts that are designed to strengthen WHO’s presence and impact at regional and country levels, ensuring that newly secured resources are strategically aligned with field organization wide priorities, operational needs and budgets.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Specific duties

• Lead, direct and guide the implementation of strong scientific, evidence-based WHO Guidelines on Climate and Health, Migration, Air Quality, Water Safety, Environmental Health, and One Health.
• Support countries in applying WHO environmental and climate-health guidelines, strengthening capacities for climate adaptation and mitigation.
• Lead the monitoring of climate and health and environmental health indicators and climate impacts, including progress on SDG targets, through global databases and annual reporting.
• Coordinate with UN agencies and partners to advance pollution control, and disease prevention for all conditions affected by climate change.
• Lead the establishment of early warning systems and emergency protocols for climate related health issues, extreme weather events, chemical incidents, and climate associated zoonotic threats.
• Facilitate science, research and innovation on emerging climate and environmental health risks and climate-smart health infrastructure solutions.
• Streamline Technical Products (TPs) from the Department to enhance their quality and reduce the volume of TPs.
• Drive advocacy and resource mobilization to secure financing and political commitment for Climate and Health and the work of the Department, leveraging partnerships and donor engagement.
• Represent the Organization and Department area of work in a diverse array of global fora including COP and other global convenings to position WHO as a leader in Climate and Health in the global health community.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in public health, medicine, climate and health, epidemiology, environmental sciences, or a related field. Specialized training, additional qualifications and/or extensive leadership experience in Environmental Health, Climate and Health, and/or One Health.
• Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

• Essential: A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the management of Climate, Environment and Health Programmes. Experience providing leadership, senior level advice and guidance to Senior Management and decision makers. Experience managing large teams of professionals from diverse backgrounds and expertise, and managing and mobilizing financial resources. Experience in analysing scientific evidence to inform the development of policies and strategies. Demonstrated experience at the international level working and collaborating with governments and a wide variety of partners, including other UN agencies, bilateral development agencies, NGOs, and the private sector. Extensive experience in the management of complex public-private partnerships and multisectoral approaches and in advocating for and developing policies that promote Environment, Climate and Health, One Health and Migration Health programmes including working with government agencies and international organizations.
• Desirable: Experience in One Health and Migration would be a strong additional asset. Concrete work experience in multisectoral actions at multiple layers of government. Previous experience in management of intersectoral programmes. Experience conducting operational research and translating findings into impactful policies and practices.

Skills

• Globally respected level of scientific and technical expertise, knowledge in Environment, Climate Change and Health, One Health and Migration.
• Excellent managerial and leadership skills, ability and empathy in managing diverse teams.
• Expertise and experience in developing and implementing strategy and policies related to Environment, Climate and Health, One Health and Migration.
• Experience and skills in mobilizing and managing financial resources.
• Ability to engage, build consensus and communicate effectively and diplomatically with Member States, colleagues, partners and media.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with other key partners inside and outside WHO in the health subject area.
• Proven leadership skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of public health/disease control programmes.
• Proven ability to anticipate future scientific advances to ensure timely and equitable access to interventions.
• Demonstrated expertise in formulating and executing comprehensive policies and expertise in leveraging data analytics and health information systems to monitor and evaluate health outcomes, ensuring data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in health services.
• Proven ability to engage, negotiate, and build consensus with senior national authorities, international partners, and key stakeholders.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Driving the Organization’s Position in Health Leadership
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
• Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Other UN Official Language.

Duration: 2 years

DEADLINE: Feb 9, 2026, 6:59:00 AM