Director, Governance, Languages, Communications and External Relations, Copenhagen

Director, Governance, Languages, Communications and External Relations - (2604571)

Grade: D1
Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 1 year

Job Posting

Oct 19, 2026, 10:59:40 AM

Closing Date

Nov 9, 2026, 10:59:00 PM

Primary Location

Denmark-Copenhagen

Organization

EU/DPM Division of Programme Management

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

The European Region (EURO) of WHO is made 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 regional, 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. The Division of Programme Management ensures the technical excellence of WHO/Europe's work. It coordinates and ensures coherence across WHO/Europe's health programmes, country support and the Special Initiative on Primary Health Care (PHC).The division also leads planning and budgeting, resource mobilization and partnerships, communications and publications, governance and external relations and language services.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Director Programme Management and in close collaboration with the Director Business Operations and the Technical Directors, the incumbent:

1. Leads the Regional Office's work in the areas of external relations, communications and publications, language services, and governing bodies.
2. Provides high level strategic support through provision of policy, managerial and diplomatic advice to senior management.
3. Promotes a culture of high performance, team work, ethical behaviour and integrity in accordance with the Organization's policies, rules and procedures.
4. Provides support to the DPM in monitoring the implementation of the Global Policy Group of WHO (GPG) decisions and the strategic directions of WHO's work in the Region;
5. Builds partnerships and contributes to effective and efficient three level coordination in the areas of responsibility, ensuring that countries benefit from the best possible support and advice from WHO headquarters, Regional Office and country office resources.
6. Oversees and ensures rapid and clear information flows with other regions and WHO headquarters in areas of responsibility.
7. Contributes to WHO regional coordination and serves as a member of EURO's Executive Council.
8. Coordinates the work of the technical secretariat for WHO governing body meetings (World Health Assembly, WHO Executive Board, Regional Committee and the Standing Committee of the Regional Committee) and other senior management and advisory meetings.
9. Interacts with technical directors to ensure implementation of policy decisions of WHO governing bodies
10. Performs any other duties assigned by the 1st and/or 2nd level supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in public health, international relations, communications, social sciences or business management.

Desirable: Training in public health related issues.

Experience

Essential: At least 15 years of national and international experience with some years at the international level in a senior management position including experience in developing countries. Extensive writing and communications experience. Experience in multipartner health programme management and leadership. Experience guiding and interpreting WHO rules and procedures, including close familiarity with the work of the Regional Office and WHO governing bodies.

Desirable: Experience in the political and/or diplomatic arena.

Skills

• Ability to exercise leadership and to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels;
• Diplomatic skills;
• Ability to negotiate and engage in new partnerships;
• Ability to coordinate teams with different backgrounds in a multicultural environment;
• Excellent writing skills in English in a variety of styles and under tight deadline pressure;
• Ability to develop messaging and positioning for an international organization;
• Demonstrated networking skills, excellent interpersonal skills;
• Thorough understanding of public health and international development issues, with the ability to quickly understand, process and communicate new information;
• Proven ability to plan, execute, collaborate and work independently with donors, partners, etc.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork*
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences*
3. Communication*
4. Producing results
5. Moving forward in a changing environment
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment*

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, German and/or Russian.

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 117,953 (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 6871 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

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
• 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: 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 eManual.
• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.
• 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
• 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.
• e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment).
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical 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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