The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO/AFRO) is recruiting a Technical Officer (Governing Bodies/External Relations) at P2 level in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. It is a 1-year, full-time temporary appointment in the Office of the Regional Director, with an annual base salary starting at USD 56,046. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed this vacancy for professionals with at least two years of experience in partnerships, resource mobilization and high-level international meetings.
Position at a Glance
🆔 Job Number: 2604611
🎚️ Grade: P2
📄 Contract type: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
⏱️ Duration: 1 Year
🕘 Schedule: Full-time
📍 Duty station: Congo-Brazzaville
🏢 Organizational unit: AF/ORD Office of the Regional Director
About the External Relations, Partnerships and Governing Bodies (EPG) Unit
The External Relations, Partnerships and Governing Bodies (EPG) Unit mobilizes political will and resources by building and maintaining strategic alliances, partnerships and external relations. Its aim is to position the Organization's regional health priorities on the agenda of the international community and to attain technical and strategic recognition within the regional setting.
The Unit coordinates the work of the Regional Committee and enhances the contributions of delegations of the African Region to the work of WHO's Governing Bodies, in support of the achievement of regional health goals.
It also builds the capacities of WHO/AFRO entities, in particular WHO Country Offices (WCOs), to cultivate and leverage productive partnerships with national governments, other in-country stakeholders, development organizations, inter-governmental agencies, non-state actors and the international community for regional and national health initiatives and programmes.
Governing Bodies Duties
🗓️ Support the preparation and organization of WHO Governing Bodies meetings for the African Region.
📑 Prepare, quality assure and disseminate governance documentation, ensuring completeness across all stages (drafting, editing, translation and distribution in both printed and electronic formats), in coordination with relevant technical units.
🪪 Facilitate the participation, engagement and accreditation of non-State actors to the Regional Committee, including those not in official relations with WHO, as a statutory requirement, and maintain a roster of NSAs and other partners.
🔄 Promote, monitor and report on the alignment of the Regional Committee's work with WHO's global Governing Bodies, and ensure effective follow-up and dissemination of meeting outcomes to WHO Country Offices (WCOs) and partners.
Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Duties
🗄️ Maintain and expand strategic partnerships by developing and managing a consolidated partners platform and database, and by implementing innovative engagement strategies such as quarterly partner briefings to maintain strong partner relations.
🤝 Support engagement with partners and help establish, nurture and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective donors to advance WHO/AFRO's strategic priorities.
✍️ Support donor engagement and resource mobilization, including drafting compelling briefing notes, talking points and presentations for bilateral and multilateral donors, and contributing to early donor negotiations and agreements.
⏰ Regularly monitor that donor reports are submitted on time for the Region.
🔁 Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others.
Education Required
🎓 Essential: A first university degree in public health, international relations, political science, governance or related fields.
Experience Required
💼 Essential: A minimum of two (2) years' experience in resource mobilization and partnerships, coordinating and managing high-level meetings in international settings and working with diplomatic representatives.
🏛️ Experience in working with complex partnerships and governance committees is essential.
Skills You Will Need
📋 Ability to organize large meetings requiring advance, supporting documents and follow-up reports.
🌐 Ability to forge and maintain productive working relationships and partnerships at the international level.
🩺 Knowledge of international global health and development issues.
🎩 Thorough knowledge of protocol in communications with Governing Body members or other participants in official meetings and settings.
🧩 Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
🗂️ Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task and give full attention to details.
🖊️ Excellent writing and communication skills.
WHO Competencies
👥 Teamwork
🌏 Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
💬 Communication
🔗 Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
🎯 Producing results
Language Requirements
🗣️ Essential: Expert knowledge of English and intermediate knowledge of French.
🔀 The language requirements are interchangeable.
Salary and Benefits
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars.
💵 Annual base salary: starting at USD 56,046, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable.
📈 Post adjustment: a variable amount reflecting the cost of living in the duty station, currently USD 2,120 per month for Brazzaville.
🏖️ 30 days of annual leave.
🏠 Allowances for dependent family members.
✈️ Home leave.
📚 An education grant for dependent children.
👶 WHO also offers a wide range of benefits, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to promote a healthy work-life balance.
Selection Process
📝 A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
📞 Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
🎓 If retained for an interview, you must provide in advance a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for the position.
🏫 WHO only considers higher educational qualifications from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
🔍 WHO conducts a background verification of final candidates.
⚖️ The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment, to appoint at a lower grade, or to appoint with a modified job description, including a shorter duration.
🔂 This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
Who Is Encouraged to Apply
♻️ Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
🏢 Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
🌍 Women, persons with disabilities and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States are strongly encouraged to apply.
♿ Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations for the application and recruitment process by email, stating their full name, the vacancy number and the specific accommodation needed.
Conditions of Employment
📜 Under article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration is securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
📘 Any appointment or extension is subject to the WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.
🧭 Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO: staff on fixed-term positions in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) may be assigned to any activity or duty station worldwide.
🎂 The statutory retirement age is 65; external applicants are normally considered only if they are expected to complete the term of appointment.
💉 Contracts are conditional on confirming required vaccinations before a WHO assignment, unless a medical condition certified by WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW) prevents it. An updated vaccination card must be shared with the WHO medical service during medical clearance, and some countries require proof of specific vaccinations, such as yellow fever, for entry or exit.
🚭 WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
🛡️ An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential, in line with the WHO Values Charter.
🚫 WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment.
🤲 WHO is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment and recruits 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, and to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity.
How to Apply
🖥️ Apply online through the WHO careers portal under "Technical Officer (Governing Bodies/External Relations) - (Job Number: 2604611)".
🌐 If the website does not display properly, check that you have the latest version of Chrome, Edge or Firefox, clear your browser history and open the site in a new browser (not a new tab), or retry using Mozilla Firefox or another device.
⏰ The deadline shown on the portal reflects your personal device's system settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Technical Officer (Governing Bodies/External Relations) do at WHO/AFRO?
The officer supports the preparation and organization of WHO Governing Bodies meetings for the African Region, manages governance documentation and the accreditation of non-State actors to the Regional Committee. The role also covers partner and donor engagement, resource mobilization and monitoring that donor reports are submitted on time.
Where is the position based and how long is the contract?
The duty station is Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, in the Office of the Regional Director. It is a full-time temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4 for 1 year.
What is the salary for this P2 position?
The annual base salary starts at USD 56,046, subject to mandatory pension and health insurance deductions. A variable post adjustment currently amounts to USD 2,120 per month for Brazzaville.
How much experience do I need?
A minimum of two years' experience in resource mobilization and partnerships, coordinating and managing high-level meetings in international settings and working with diplomatic representatives is essential. Experience with complex partnerships and governance committees is also essential.
Which degree is required?
A first university degree in public health, international relations, political science, governance or a related field is essential.
Do I need to speak French?
The essential languages are expert English and intermediate French. The vacancy states that these language requirements are interchangeable.
Will there be a test or interview?
A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used for screening. Candidates retained for an interview must provide scanned copies of the required degrees in advance.
Are smokers eligible for this WHO job?
No. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
Can people with disabilities request support during recruitment?
Yes. Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations by email with their full name, the vacancy number and details of the accommodation needed.
Deadline
⏳ 10 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply on the WHO careers portal: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2604611
🏫 World Higher Education Database (WHED): https://www.whed.net/
🌍 WHO diversity, equity and inclusion: https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion
ℹ️ WHO website: https://www.who.int
♿ Reasonable accommodation requests: reasonableaccommodation@who.int
💉 WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (vaccination queries): shws@who.int
