Technical Officer (Gender and Human Rights) At World Health Organization

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO’s work in countries operationalizes the General Programme of Work (GPW14) and the European Programme of Work 2025-2029 (EPW2). GPW14 focuses on accelerating progress toward Health for All by strengthening systems for health, improving access to essential services, advancing preparedness and resilience, and reducing health inequalities. EPW2, endorsed at RC75 following extensive consultation with Member States, reaffirms WHO/Europe’s role in bringing unique value to countries through five core functions:
1. International knowledge hub for health – providing authoritative evidence, norms, policies and best practices from across the Region and globally to inform national public health decision-making.
2. Impartial coordinator for everyone’s health – convening national stakeholders and partners to align strategies and support coherent, multisectoral responses to shared health challenges.
3. Leader in tracking and managing cross-border health threats – supporting surveillance, preparedness, and coordinated action on public health emergencies in line with the Preparedness 2.0 agenda.
4. Driver of health system transformation – advising national authorities on evidence-informed reforms and policies that strengthen health systems and improve performance.
5. Voice for health equity – helping countries identify who is being left behind and integrating equity considerations into health policies and strategies.

In this context, WHO Country Offices enable the translation of global and regional commitments into national action. They support Member States by providing strategic advice, convening dialogue across sectors and partners, connecting national authorities with WHO’s technical expertise, and facilitating the use of evidence and best practices to inform policy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the context of mainstreaming Gender, Equity and Human Rights (GER), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, and more broadly socioeconomic determinants of health, the incumbent will provide technical support and coordination to the implementation of GER- and GBV-related interventions across the priority areas identified in Ukraine.

Key duties:

  1. Provide support to the WHO Country Office on gender, equity, human rights and gender-based violence (GBV) in coordination with the WHO Regional Office for Europe and with the UN Gender Thematic Group, national counterparts, the international community, civil society and academia to enhance collaboration and strategic partnership during the consultancy period.
  2. Support the WHO Country Office in updating and adapting GER- and GBV-relevant guidelines, materials and tools to the national context to be further utilized in mainstreaming these components into health policies and programmes.
  3. Support the WHO Country Office in the development of a country workplan for GER and GBV mainstreaming, and WHO/CO programme teams in integrating gender-responsive and GBV-sensitive approaches into their workplans.
  4. Conduct analysis of the use of sex- and age-disaggregated data, gender analysis and GBV risk assessments which ensure knowledge sharing, documentation and dissemination of good practices on GER and GBV in health.
  5. Prepare a core set of communication and dissemination materials to be used by the WHO Country Office in meetings and on specific UN Days on WHO’s role and technical assistance on GER and GBV, based on the agreement with the WHO communication team.
  6. Support the WHO Country Office and national health authorities in integrating GBV prevention and response into essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health, mental health and psychosocial support, and primary health care, with specific attention to conflict-affected and displaced populations.
  7. Develop a training course structure for capacity building of WHO staff and national health authorities on gender-responsive, equity-oriented, GBV-sensitive and rights-based health systems and policies.
  8. Support the Public Health Officer, Officer on Primary Health Care and others to integrate GER and GBV components into educational curricula (public health, primary health care).
  9. Prepare and coordinate missions for WHO staff and external consultants addressing GER, GBV and socioeconomic determinants of health, and follow up on their recommendations.
  10. Prepare regular reports and updates to the Country Office and to the Regional Office summarizing progress, challenges and lessons learned related to GER and GBV integration.
  11. Explore opportunities for fund raising and contribute to proposal development to ensure adequate resources are available to conduct the planned activities related to GER, GBV and public health.
  12. Assist in executing other tasks as requested by the WHO Representative and the Public Health Officer, including in other GER- and GBV-related domains.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First-level university degree in communication, social policy, healthcare, health policy, public management, economics, demography, public health, or related field.
Desirable: Master’s degree in communication, social policy, healthcare, health policy, public management, economics, demography, public health, or related field.

Experience

Essential: Minimum 2 years of experience in health and/or social sectors, including public sector experience, with proven ability to write reports, review policies, and ability to analyze policy documents
Desirable: Relevant work experience with(in) international institutions and organizations in the area of policy advice for GBV and GER and/or health systems strengthening / health care services delivery. Relevant experience with(in) WHO or the United Nations

WHO Competencies

  1. * Teamwork
  2. *Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
  3. *Communication
  4. Producing Results
  5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

  • Demonstrated general knowledge of gender equality, gender-based violence prevention and response, human rights and health equity concepts and approaches.
  • Ability to work within significant uncertainties in a rapidly changing environment.
  • Demonstrated coordination and collaboration skills working with diverse national and international stakeholders.
  • Strong communication skills, orally and written.
  • Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Ukrainian.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of any other UN language.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 47,491 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

Link to apply: Job Description – Technical Officer (Gender and Human Rights) (2603431)

How to apply

Job Description – Technical Officer (Gender and Human Rights) (2603431)