Director Business Operations – D2

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The purpose of the position is to provide strategic direction and vision across a multidisciplinary programme area of work within the Business Operations Department by effectively managing coordinated service delivery support in the areas of finance, administration, and human resources across the entire WHO Region and all its country-operations, ensuring the highest level of integrity and compliance with WHO’s rules, regulations and procedures as well as risk mitigation and management. Extending across a wide range of interlocutors in and outside of the Organization, this position is to motivate, inspire, lead and empower expert staff across a wide range of subject areas, encompassing all aspects of programme facilitation and support. The Director provides senior level advice and guidance to the Regional Director and EMRO senior management and is accountable for the overall management and galvanization of Cluster’s specialized teams to meet the objectives of the Organization.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1.      Provides the overall leadership, management accountability, and direction of the Cluster in delivering its objectives through managing and galvanizing a diverse workforce and financial resources to optimize the Cluster’s deliverables and mandate.

2.      Plan, coordinate and lead the Business Operations Department’s support with overall responsibility for all aspects of human resources and talent management, financial management and budget support, general administration organizational assets and properties, security, logistics and operations, procurement and supply chain, information technology, risk management and assurance, staff health and well-being, as well as Management of the Regional Office Campus and conference services and WHO’s change of ERP-system from the global management System (GSM) to the Business management System  (BMS) across the Region and all its country-level operations including sub regional and regional structures.

3.      Provide leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in the Region.

4.      Advise the Regional Director, technical programme Managers, Cluster Directors and Heads of WHO Country Offices on all non-health technical aspects of operational planning, covering a wide range of management, administrative, financial, budgetary and human resources management related issues.

5.      Provide guidance, overall coordination and oversight for operational managers and programme administrative support across the Region.

6.      Build strong partnerships and fosters consensus building with External Partners, UN Agencies, Donor and other stakeholders in the various administrative areas.

7.      Exercise primary responsibility in scrutinizing the finalization of project proposals and agreements in respect of administrative, legal, financial and staffing implications.

8.      Exercise primary responsibility for staff relations, including incentives and disciplinary matters. Promoting a culture of consistent compliance with rules and regulations as well as ethical behaviour.

9.      Provide advice in and outside of the Regional Office on financial aspects of operations and their implementation, aiming at optimizing service delivery and arriving at economies-of-scale within the given financial parameters, while at the same time ensuring meticulous adherence to financial rules and guidelines in a transparent manner, best suited to instill trust by key stakeholders such as donors and Member States in WHO’s operations.

10.  Create an empowering and respectful working environment in the Region that promotes and supports the implementation of the best management practices, which are aligned with the overall changes in management/administrative roles, responsibilities and practices in WHO globally.

11.  Lead the effective and efficient implementation of WHO’s internal control framework in the Region and reporting any major discrepancies to the Regional Director and the relevant functional lead at WHO Headquarters/Business Operations and taking corrective action where required.

12.  Collaborate with interlocutors outside WHO on matters of security, project implementation frameworks, host agreements, privileges and immunities, protocol and diplomatic issues with host governments including dialogue and direct interface with government entities through Ministries of Foreign Affairs, technical partners, donors, NGOs, etc., and take responsibility for these areas ensuring smooth operations across the Regional Office and in country operations.

13.  Promote integration of Regional and Country Office perspectives and operational capacities into the programmes and technical clusters.

14.  Provide the stable managerial framework that demonstrates the Regional Office’s efficiency and ability to deliver results-driven services to a consistent high standard.

15.  Oversee the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the Cluster’s area of work to ensure development of key performance indicators and global reporting requirements and mechanisms to ensure optimal performance of Cluster’s deliverables.

16.  Perform all other related duties as assigned.

 

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

Essential: An advanced-level University degree in Business Administration, Management, Human Resources, Finance, Supply Chain, Project Management, or other discipline related to the functions of the position.

Desirable: Certification on business process management re-engineering methodologies.
Training in WHO’s Project Management framework (from the Project Management Centre of Excellence).

 

Experience

Essential: 

­   At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in managing programmes at international level.

­   Experience in programme/project planning, management, and successful delivery of cross-functional or interdependent projects, some of which should be at the global or international level.

­   Demonstrated experience and success in managing business initiatives, within a corporate environment across different locations and/or across different departments/functions.

­   Demonstrated professional experience working with senior-level or executive-level management.

­   Demonstrated experience with business process re-engineering using best practice and standard processes.

­   Demonstrated experience in vendor negotiations and management.

Desirable: 

­   Knowledge and 5 years of senior experience of WHO Business Operations in the fields of Programme Management, Human Resources, Finance and/or Supply is an advantage including experience at all 3 levels of WHO.

 

Skills

·         Strong skills in the area of management, as well as developing and establishing polices and strategies

·         Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.

·         Strong understanding and skills in mobilizing resources.

·         Ability to engage, build consensus and communicate effectively and diplomatically with Member States and partners.

·         Proven leadership skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary administrative and programmes.

·         Demonstrated leadership and team management skills in international and multi-cultural settings at the global and regional level.

·         Proven ability to coordinate, manage, lead and successfully deliver business programmes and projects across geographical locations and organizational departments under intense pressure.

·         Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking and re-engineering current processes, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate comprehensive plans to address challenges/risks.

·         Proven success in providing on site leadership for project team by building and motivating team members to meet project goals, adhering to their responsibilities and project milestones.

·         Proven ability to successfully interact and negotiate with senior leaders.

·         Proven ability to build successful working relationships with internal and external customers and stakeholders and coordinate activities across multiple parties and multiple locations.

·         Capable of maintaining a high degree of effectiveness in a multi-tasking role, synthesizing information quickly, managing priorities, delivering with quality, and working to challenging timescales.

·         Proactive, flexible, resourceful and able to work independently.

 

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork*

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences*

• Communication*

• Ensuring the effective use of resources

• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of Arabic and/or French an asset

 

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

 Essential: MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.), MS SharePoint, Workflow systems, MS Project (Professional or Enterprise)

 

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 117,280 (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 3470 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

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application,
  please ensure that:
  1 -Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.
  2- All required details regarding your qualifications, education, training and experience are provided under relevant sections.
  3- Your experience records are properly entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

  -Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:
  https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/enhanced-who-global-competency-model

• 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.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
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How cinfo Can Support You in the Application Process for This Position

• Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you’re preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
• For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at recruitment@cinfo.ch, and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.

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