Head of Office

Grade
NO-C

Contractual Arrangement
Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)
12 months

Job Posting
Jan 15, 2026, 11:47:24 AM

Closing Date
Feb 5, 2026, 10:59:00 PM

Primary Location
Slovenia-Ljubljana

Organization
EU_SVN WHO Country Office, Slovenia

Schedule
Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

*OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME AND OF THE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE*
All the Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

The seven point global health agenda contained in WHO's Eleventh General Programme of Work includes: (i) investing in health to reduce poverty; (ii) building individual and global health security; (iii) promoting universal coverage, gender equality and health related human rights; (iv) tackling determinants of health; (v) strengthening health systems and equitable access; (vi) harnessing knowledge, science and technology; and (vii) strengthening governance, leadership and accountability. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.

The European Region of WHO (WHO Europe) is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. It is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate. Mission of the WHO Regional Office for Europe and Objective of the Country Relations and Communication Team in RD's Cabinet (CCC)The mission of the WHO Regional Office for Europe is to support Member States in: (i) developing and sustaining their own health policies, health systems and public health programmes; (ii) working to prevent and overcome threats to health; (iii) anticipating future challenges; and (iv) advocating public health.

The Country Relations and Communication Team (CCC) in RD's Office provides strategic guidance to the Regional Office, under the policy direction of the Regional Director and in line with the Organization's corporate priorities, to ensure in-house coordination of country work. CCC facilitates, supports, and contributes to the coordination of all activities undertaken by the technical units in countries and works closely with the PAR team to ensure development of strategic partnerships at country level to the benefit of the WHO and the Member States. The CCC helps to coordinate and manage effective collaboration with Member States, with and without WHO country representation. The CCC is responsible for development, implementation and monitoring of the new WHO Regional Office for Europe's Country Strategy. The CCS coordinates the process of identification of strategic priorities for collaboration with

Member States and is responsible for the preparation, and administration of the Biennial Collaborative Agreements. CCC also ensures the implementation of the communication strategy and facilitates supports and contributes to the coordination of communication activities around the Regional Director and her Office as well as activities undertaken by the WHO country offices and assists the various technical units in delivering appropriate communication as expected from the communication strategy. It is also responsible for the development, smooth functioning and continuity of the EURO internal and external web sites.

Description Of Duties
Under the guidance of the RD and EM CCC, the Head of WHO Country Office will have the following responsibilities:

• To facilitate, support and coordinate all WHO country activities undertaken by the technical units.
• To support the WHO Regional Office for Europe in strengthening WHO EURO's existing relations with Member State by liaising regularly with the Ministry of Health and other relevant national stakeholders.
• To ensure WHO visibility and coordination of activities with relevant national and international stakeholders.
• To ensure the quality and impact of the work of the WHO Europe in the country by being responsible for the development of respective country work plan and contributing information that will help to monitor, evaluate and adjust WHO's technical work in the country.
• To ensure the development and support the implementation of the country cooperation strategy and Biennial Collaborative Agreement.
• To be responsible for the operational direction and the effective co-ordination of all WHO activities at country level.
• To assist WHO Regional Office with the preparation and management of policy and technical events in the countries as required.
• Within the delegated authority given to the country office to ensure a smooth, reliable and efficient running of the day-today operations of the Office, including managerial, financial, administrative and security issues.
• To maintain contacts with local public institutions, information media, and other relevant stakeholders in the country in order to keep the Organization and its work in the public eye.
• To link with institutions and associations concerned with health, including non-governmental activities agencies and scientific bodies for exchange of information and coordination of activities.
• To facilitate provision of a technical assistance for the health sector development and promote an intersectoral approach to health issues.
• To liaise regularly with the relevant national health authorities providing them with information concerning the resolutions of the WHO governing bodies, and initiatives that affect WHO activities in the country.
• To contribute to continuous updating of situational analysis and related health needs in the country.
• To assist in certifying the correct implementation of all tasks and activities carried out under WHO financing.
• To develop and maintain constructive partnerships relations with external partners active at country level, particularly with other UN Agencies.
• To help the Government to identify and coordinate available or potentially available external resources.

Required Qualifiatons
*Education
Essential:*
University degree in medicine, health related areas or social science

*Desirable*
: Master's degree in public health and/or health management.

Experience
*Essential*
: At least 5 years of relevant experience at the national level in managing health programmes.

Desirable

• Experience within a UN organization.
• Experience with the management of projects

Skills
Sound knowledge of the socio-political, economic and health situation in the country.

WHO Competencies

• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Producing results
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use Of Language Skills

• Expert knowledge of English
• Expert knowledge of local language

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at EUR 68, 268 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.
• 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: 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.
• 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 ) 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
• 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.
• 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:
• 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
• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
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