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OpenIGO | International Careers Development Network
WHO Jobs

Un Jobs

WHO Jobs

Find out everything about Jobs and Careers with the WHO!

Working for an organization such as the World Health Organization (WHO) is an opportunity that could change your life. The organization combines good remuneration with meaningful work that can help millions of people improve their quality of life. You will be able to construct influential networks as well as receive encouragement to develop professionally. In addition, working for the WHO means having a global career with a global reach, in a multicultural and pleasant environment.

Because of the above-mentioned reasons, in addition to a competitive remuneration package, career mobility, and the support that successful candidates receive once they are assigned to a position at the organization, WHO Jobs selection processes are highly sought-after by many young professionals, making them highly competitive.

In pursuit of its mission, the OpenIGO network has prepared a comprehensive eBook (Landing your dream job at the United Nations), as well as support and guidance services, with the aim of highly increasing your chances of success in these competitive selection processes. These services include revising your application documents (curriculum vitae/resume and cover letter) and a mock interview, as per the United Nations model. We also offer a range of packages that combine the eBook with different services!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR UN JOBS PRODUCTS & SERVICES?

UN Jobs – Products & Services


WHO overview

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a UN agency dedicated to promoting improved health conditions among the world population. Its headquarters are in Geneva (Switzerland) and it has offices in over 150 countries, where 7,000 staff members are employed. WHO seeks to achieve its goal in many different ways, especially: coordinating efforts among governments, private sector and civil society; monitoring and evaluating health issues; providing technical support; establishing, promoting and monitoring health norms and standards; shaping the health research agenda and stimulating the production and dissemination of knowledge.

WHO’s main focus: To foster policies to improve global health.

Themes addressed by WHO:

  • Health systems
  • Promoting health through the life-course
  • Noncommunicable diseases (cancer, heart disease, etc.)
  • Communicable diseases
  • Health emergencies
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Current jobs

WHO Jobs - Selection Processes

In order to start a career with the WHO, applicants must know what are the existing recruiting initiatives, their eligibility criteria and different stages of the selection processes, as well as have a broad understanding of the culture and values of this complex international organization.

WHO has a varied array of job opportunities that reflect different levels of responsibilities, expertise and duties required in the organization’s activities.

There are 2 key categories in WHO’s job opportunities roster:

  • Professional (P) or Directors (D) who are internationally recruited and;
  • General (G) or national professional (NPO) employees who are recruited locally for both fixed or short-term jobs.

It should be noted that WHO also espouses an internship program and opportunities for junior professional officers (JPOs).

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WHO Jobs - General Requirements

Before applying for a vacancy at an organization, it is important to understand which staff profile it employs and looks for in its selection processes. This will help you to: understand if your professional profile fits with what the organization is looking for; to get ready, in order to have greater chances of success in future selection processes, and to prepare better curriculum and application documents required for your application.

Therefore, an overview of the WHO staff profile will be presented in this section, so that you will be able to gain a better understanding of what this organization looks for in its human resources.

What are the fields of study required for jobs with the WHO?

WHO’s job opportunities have a diverse range of fields. It is crucial to always check the fields accepted by the specific job opportunity. However, these are some of the most common fields required:

  • Medical Sciences
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Management
  • Social Sciences
  • Economics
  • Information System
  • Statistics

Language requirement:

Proficiency in English and good working knowledge of a second UN System language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies required:

  • Good analytical skills
  • Teamwork
  • Communication skills
  • Understanding of policy issues
  • Interest in public health

Education requirements:

International Professionals

For international professionals with up to 5 years of relevant work experience, a first university degree is the minimum education requirement.

For international professionals with 5 or more years of relevant work experience, a Master’s level university degree or an equivalent educational qualification is the minimum education requirement.

Experience in developing countries is considered an advantage in the selection process.

National Professionals

For national professionals with up to 5 years of relevant work experience, a first university degree is the minimum education requirement.

For national professionals with 5 or more years of relevant work experience, a Master’s level university degree or an equivalent educational qualification is the minimum education requirement.

General Service

For general service positions, it is required at least 2 years of relevant work experience and a secondary, technical or commercial school is the minimum education requirement.

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WHO Jobs - Interview

After shortlisting candidates from the application’s pool, WHO will invite selected applicants for the assessment phase, which will be comprised of a competency-based interview, a reference check and other processes depending on the position level, area of work, and office context.

The competency-based interview is composed of questions aimed to identify, in the candidate, specific behavioral competencies associated with a work position.

To help you feel more secure and greatly improve your performance during the WHO Interview Process, OpenIGO Network has developed a mock interview, as per the United Nations original model, with a specialized professional who has extensive experience.

Click on the link below to find out more about our WHO Jobs Mock Interview service:

Mock Interview

 

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WHO Jobs - Salary and Benefits

The WHO offers its employees a dynamic and international work environment with a multi-cultural workforce, filled with opportunities for professional development, as well as a competitive remuneration package. As part of their mobility policy, WHO gives their staff the opportunity to gain experience in different parts of the world.

Being part of the United Nations Common System, WHO adopts the remuneration and benefit package common to that system, which is also governed by the International Civil Service Commission.

International professionals

Salaries in professional and higher categories are made up of two main elements: a base salary and post adjustment. The post adjustment is an allowance based on the cost-of-living, exchange rate fluctuations and inflation in the different locations of assignment.

As per the organization’s different types of staff, the salary scale comprises six professional levels (P-1 to P-6) and two director levels (D1 and D2), both within the International Professional category. The conditions for P6 and D1 positions are the same. The scales are expressed as gross and net base salaries and applied uniformly by all the agencies in the United Nations common system.

National Professionals

The salary scale for locally recruited workers is defined by the International Civil Service Commission and varies in each country.

The mobility package

The WHO has a mobility policy and candidates appointed to an international fixed-term position may be assigned to an activity or duty station of the WHO throughout the world.

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Links

WHO Jobs webpage:

https://www.who.int/careers/en/

Contact for inquiries:

https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/contact-us

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