OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The strategic objective of the Digital Health, AI, Health Metrics, Data and Analytics programme is to leverage cutting-edge technologies and data-driven approaches to enhance health systems, contribute WHO's core functions to provide norms and standards and improve health outcomes globally. The immediate strategic objective is to advance the integration of digital health solutions, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics into health metrics and the International Classifications and Terminologies, to optimize healthcare delivery, inform policymaking, and drive evidence-based decision-making across health systems. The Department of Digital, Data, Analytics and AI (DDA) leads WHO's efforts to modernize and strengthen health systems by establishing the governance, standards, and capacities that enable countries to generate, manage, and use high-quality data, digital technologies, and AI. Its core goals are to support the design and implementation of interoperable digital health architectures, the development of integrated national information systems, and the ethical, evidence-based adoption of AI in health. DDA serves as the global steward for norms, standards, policies, and frameworks that underpin effective digital and data governance, while fostering alignment across sectors to drive coordinated investment in digital public infrastructure and health information systems. By reinforcing country leadership, enabling cross-border data exchange, and promoting timely, trusted, and actionable insights, the department helps make health systems more resilient, equitable, and accountable—accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. DDA also serves as the custodian of global health indicators, supporting transparent, fair, and rigorous monitoring of global health targets.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Unit Head, Digital Health Systems and in close coordination with WHO regional offices and key stakeholders, the incumbent will:

Governance and Policy Development

1. Serve as WHO's managerial and strategic lead for the GDHCN trust architecture, overseeing governance, financial and consensus mechanisms across Member States and implementing partners.

2. Lead the organization and secretariat function of the GDHCN Scientific Advisory Group (SAG), coordinating expert reviews and policy decisions related to use cases, trust domains, and standards.

3. Design, establish, and continuously update standard operating procedures (SOPs), minimum datasets, policies, and operating rules for new and existing GDHCN use cases.

Technical and Interoperability Stewardship

4. Collaborate with the technical leads of Reference Architecture and SMART guidelines to oversee the design, validation, and maintenance of GDHCN infrastructure, ensuring alignment with WHO and international interoperability standards (e.g., HL7 FHIR, IPS, PKI).

5. Ensure the technical and operational robustness of the GDHCN, including federation models, test infrastructures, conformance frameworks, and cybersecurity policies.

6. Collaborate with WHO teams and external partners to ensure interoperability with digital health wallets, electronic health records, and public health systems.

Sustainability, Financing, and Business Models

7. Develop and oversee strategies to ensure long-term financial sustainability of the GDHCN, including through the development of context-appropriate business models for key use cases.

8. Engage in resource mobilization and donor coordination to align investments with WHO's digital health priorities and national country demand.

9. Provide technical input on financial models that balance public good principles with scalable implementation approaches.

Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Partnerships

10. Build political and institutional buy-in among WHO Member States, regional bodies, and multilateral organizations to support adoption and integration of GDHCN services.

11. Facilitate partnerships with health authorities, technology providers, standards development organizations, and implementation partners to co-develop and scale GDHCN-aligned solutions.

12. Serve as a technical liaison across WHO departments to ensure GDHCN integration with other digital health and surveillance initiatives.

Operational and Scientific Oversight

13. Ensure the scientific credibility and data protection principles of the GDHCN are upheld in line with WHO guidance and international norms.

14. Monitor performance and uptime of the GDHCN infrastructure, coordinating service-level agreements and operational improvements as needed.

15. Lead the continuous improvement of the trust network, including onboarding processes, feedback mechanisms, and federated trust arrangements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (Master's level or higher) in a relevant field such as health informatics, computer science, mathematics, public health, engineering, biomedical sciences, health policy, or information systems.
Desirable: A PhD in one of the above mentioned fields. Additional training or certification in digital health interoperability standards (e.g., HL7 FHIR, IHE, PKI), cybersecurity, enterprise architecture. Completion of recognized professional courses in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) is an asset.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of experience in digital health or digital public infrastructure, including 5 years working with low- and middle-income countries and global interoperability standards such as HL7 FHIR and IPS. Demonstrated leadership in managing complex digital health systems, trust frameworks, and multi-stakeholder governance. Proven ability in strategic planning, policy development, and resource mobilization with international partners is essential. Experience in implementation of financial sustainability models, SMART Guidelines, and engagement with ministries of health, UN agencies, and global digital health communities. Demonstrated experience at the international level.
Desirable: Experience with national or regional trust frameworks, digital verification systems, and open-source digital health tools is highly valued. Contributions to global standards communities (e.g., HL7, OpenHIE), and leadership in digital health projects in humanitarian or cross-border contexts. Familiarity with verifiable credentials, digital wallets, and health data governance frameworks. Additional value includes published work, participation in global digital health forums, and professional experience across multiple WHO regions.

Skills

Skills and knowledge in digital trust frameworks and governance, including the design of federated networks and development of policies and operating models for complex digital infrastructure.
Strong knowledge of global interoperability standards (e.g., HL7 FHIR, IPS, SNOMED, W3C Verifiable Credentials) and enterprise architecture principles is essential.
The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to navigate national and international regulatory environments, particularly in areas such as health data governance, cybersecurity, and cross-border data exchange.
Knowledge in managing mission-critical digital systems, sustainability planning, and engaging diverse stakeholders—including governments, donors, and technical bodies—is critical.
The position also demands scientific rigor, strategic leadership, and the ability to communicate complex concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 103,165 (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 7686 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 Manual.

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.

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 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.

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Team Lead, Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN)