Head of Liaison Office, Washington, D.C.

Job Description

The External Relations and Governing Bodies Division (EXT) leads and provides overall coordination of WHO’s organization-wide work in support of its governing bodies and in the areas of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization. It manages an organization-wide network to foster strategic, consistent and coordinated support for the implementation and financing of WHO’s General Programme of Work (GPW). The Head of Liaison Office, Washington DC, will provide strategic leadership to strengthen WHO’s engagement with US government entities with the aim of fostering a stronger partnership and strategic alignment with and collaboration on WHO’s General Programme of Work.

Leading strategic engagement and outreach:

- Lead the development and implementation of WHO’s engagement strategy with US government entities and relevant public policy institutes, academic institutions and other non-state actors, based on a detailed and regularly updated stakeholder analysis. Oversee the development, drafting and maintenance of a strategic narrative to position the work of WHO with US audiences, accompanied by supporting documentation to communicate and explain WHO’s value proposition to the US.

- Build and maintain strong coalitions and alliances in Washington DC that are supportive of WHO and its mission, including through a network of relationships for WHO with staff in the US Administration, on Capitol Hill and among thought-leaders in Washington DC. Coordinate outreach activities to Congressional offices and Committee staff, with particular attention to Senate and House leadership and the authorizing and appropriating committees of relevance to WHO (e.g. foreign relations, health, science, and appropriations).

- Ensure regular outreach to administration officials, with particular attention to the Executive Office of the President, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of State, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Agriculture and other agencies and instruments of the US government relevant to WHO. Organize and support meetings in Washington DC for the WHO Director-General, Regional Directors and senior officials.

- Facilitate high level political dialogue between WHO and the US government, as well as technical cooperation at the senior operational level. Encourage and support the US’s key role in global health as a strategic partner of WHO in implementing the GPW and SDGs and promoting WHO in global health leadership and coordination.

- Reinforce WHO’s corporate image, work and reputation in the US context, and promote WHO health priorities and policies with US institutions and Washington DC-based stakeholders. Organize and facilitate meetings with and briefings for Administration officials and Congressional offices/committee staff for WHO technical officials visiting Washington or by virtual means.

- Develop high level communications for the Director-General and other senior WHO officials to Senators, Members of Congress, Administration officials and thought leaders in Washington DC, as and when appropriate.

- Liaise and build strong partnerships with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to ensure a coordinated WHO approach to the US government and global public health stakeholders in Washington DC. Liaise with the UN Information Center in Washington DC and with other UN agency Washington representatives.

- Liaise with and leverage global health coalitions and non-profit organizations in Washington DC, to maximize understanding of WHO in the US. Develop and maintain relationships with NSAs, public policy institutes, and coalitions and academic institutions and other institutions in Washington relevant to WHO and its mission.

Mapping and monitoring of the political and policy environment:

- Work to prioritize and shape health matters in the US agenda, particularly through collaboration with the US Administration and Congressional offices.

- Identify funding opportunities for WHO and its Member States in the US budget

- Monitor, analyze and report on developments of strategic importance within the US Administration and on Capitol Hill that are relevant to WHO (e.g. appointments, budget submissions, actions on authorizing and appropriations bills, subject matter legislation, confirmations).

- Monitor US-related policies, strategies, initiatives, programmes and interventions with relevance to WHO and its work, and disseminate related information within WHO.

- Contribute to effective and efficient three level coordination across WHO Headquarters, Regional Office and Country Offices for the scope of work defined.

- Maintain a map of the particular concerns, needs, priorities and items that are seen positively with regards to the work of WHO and the broader global health arena by different stakeholders in the US. Identify, and propose solutions to address, more critical concerns and issues and work with relevant WHO technical areas to implement potential solutions.

- Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Essential: An advanced level university degree (Masters level or above) in Public Policy, Public Health, Political Science, Public Administration, International Public Relations, Law or related field relevant to the functions of the position.
Desirable: Post graduate specialization at the level of PhD in any of the above.

Essential: Minimum of 15 years of professional experience with progressively increasing responsibility in a relevant area such as external relations, international public relations and/or public policy. Demonstrated experience in global public health at the international level. Demonstrated experience in managing human and financial resources.
Desirable: At least two years of the overall experience working in a parliamentary office or on a committee with jurisdiction over foreign relations, health, science or appropriations.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and expertise with the United States political and government structures and public policy environment, particularly as it pertains to international affairs, international development, public health.
• Robust understanding of the United Nations, including the UN Common System and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Demonstrated skills and expertise in building and maintaining strong partnerships, coalitions, and alliances, and in resource mobilization.
• Strong diplomatic, interpersonal and coordination skills in the area of international relations and familiarity with public health topics, with demonstrated ability to communicate and make accessible complex scientific or public health issues.
• Proven skills in tact and courtesy in influencing decision-makers, ideally on health-related matters.
• Strong written, analytical and oral communications skills.

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of another WHO official language.

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 106,023 (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 5610 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.

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
• Special selection procedures may apply.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

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

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The 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.

The 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 for WHO jobs.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to

reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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 an international post with WHO are subject to 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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About the Organization

Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health that connects nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. www.who.int