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.
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.
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).
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.
· 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.
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences*
Communication* Ensuring the effective use of resources Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond