Roster: Programme Management Specialist

WHO - World Health Organization; United States; Remote; USD 86,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The World Health Organization seeks a Programme Management Specialist (P4) for a fixed-term appointment of two years, with a start in October 2026. The role focuses on strategic and operational planning, budgeting, performance monitoring, and cross-programme coordination to advance public health priorities.

Applicants should have a Master’s in public health and at least seven years of international experience in programme management, with proficiency in planning systems and ERP tools such as

Qualifications

• Essential: Master’s degree in public health or related field.
• Essential: minimum seven years' international experience in program management.
• Desirable: training in strategic planning, budgeting, monitoring and capacity building.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate strategic dialogue as part of strategic and operational planning.
• Provide specialist advice on implementation of planning and monitoring approaches anchored in the strategic framework.
• Guide integrated approaches and cross-programme collaboration throughout the results-based management cycle.
• Guide budgeting, grants management, budget, work planning and resource allocation for effective program implementation.
• Monitor performance, evaluation, reporting and provide specialist analysis on risks and course corrections.
• Organize capacity-building initiatives and guide implementation of improvements in management processes.

Skills

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Coordination

Analytical skills

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Master’s degree in public health

WHED/UNESCO-recognized qualification

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Workday

Data tools

Job description

Job Description - Roster: Programme Management Specialist (2604321)

Grade : P4

Contractual Arrangement : Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 2 years (Any extension will be subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds)

Job Posting

Oct 9, 2026, 2:02:07 AM

Closing Date

Oct 30, 2026, 10:59:00 PM

Primary Location

Multiple locations

Organization

WP Western Pacific

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

WHO country offices and Regional Office Budget Centres support Member States, countries and areas to advance agreed public health priorities and achieve measurable health impact. The immediate strategic objective is to ensure that country, multicountry, regional and divisional strategies are translated into coherent operational plans and that results, budgets, resources, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning remain connected throughout the programme cycle.

Results-based programme management is an essential enabling function for WHO country offices and the Regional Office. It connects strategic priorities and expected results with operational plans, results-based budgeting, resource allocation and management, implementation, performance monitoring, evaluation, reporting, learning and course correction.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.
Strategic and operational planning

• Coordinate strategic dialogue as part of strategic and operational planning, including the Country Cooperation Strategy and, as applicable, the Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy, working closely with technical teams.
• Provide specialist advice to the WHO Representative or relevant Regional Office Budget Centre Manager and senior staff on implementation of the one-planning and monitoring approach anchored in the relevant strategic framework.
• Guide integrated approaches and cross-programme collaboration throughout the results-based management cycle.

Results-based budgeting and resource management

• Guide and coordinate the overall results-based management of the Budget Centre, including grants management, budget, work planning and resource allocation, to ensure effective implementation of public health programmes.
• Provide specialist guidance on the appropriate use of funds, including thematic funding and specified voluntary contributions, to achieve intended results.

Performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Guide the planning, inclusion of critical programme performance measures, monitoring, analysis, evaluation and reporting of programme initiatives for quality results, management accountability and strategic decision-making, including in emergency settings.
• Provide specialist analysis and advice on programme performance, risks, bottlenecks and course correction, and oversee preparation of related briefings, proposals and reports.

Coordination, capacity-building and improvement

• Organize and guide programme management meetings, capacity-building programmes and relevant activities, ensuring follow-up on agreed action points with relevant stakeholders.
• Develop and guide implementation of flexible and innovative solutions to deficiencies in management processes to strengthen results-based management, in line with applicable standard operating procedures, and propose revisions to corporate procedures where appropriate.
• Manage and provide specialist guidance to capacity-building initiatives on results-based management processes and tools.
• Apply the WHO Emergency Response Framework, as applicable, to guide analysis and documentation of WHO performance and implementation of remedial programme management actions for effective emergency response and health interventions.
  

Communication
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential : Master’s degree from a recognized university or its equivalent in public health or another discipline related to programme management.
Desirable : Additional training or certification in the areas related to key duties and responsibilities including strategic and operational planning; results-based budgeting and resource management; performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting; or coordination, capacity building and improvement.

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/ .

Experience

Essential : A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience, with proven relevant international exposure in the areas related to key duties and responsibilities including strategic and operational planning; results-based budgeting and resource management; performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting; or coordination, capacity building and improvement.

• Demonstrated experience in data analysis and coordination of public health programmes involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience working with WHO, another United Nations agency, or an international public health partner in the areas related to key duties and responsibilities including strategic and operational planning; results-based budgeting and resource management; performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting; or coordination, capacity building and improvement.
• Experience in supporting cross-programme collaboration, Country Cooperation Strategy development or review, joint programme reviews, capacity-building activities, partner coordination or follow-up of agreed actions in diverse public health settings.
  

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Results-based management in public health, including strategic and operational planning, programme budgeting, resource allocation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, learning and adaptation.
• Translation of strategic priorities and results frameworks into operational plans, budgets, indicators, baselines, targets and performance reports.
• Application of corporate and regional standards with adaptation to country, multicountry, Regional Office and Budget Centre contexts.
• Analytical, coordination, facilitation and communication skills appropriate to the grade level.
• Ability to propose innovative approaches and solutions to challenging situations.
• Demonstrated capacity to foster internal and external collaborations with various stakeholders including Member States and partners.
  

Communication
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential : Expert knowledge of English is required.

Desirable: Working knowledge of another WHO official language and/or the local language of the duty station would be an asset.

IT and other skills

Proficiency in electronic office software such as MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Power point, MS-Copilot etc., handling web-based management systems, , data tools, programme management systems and dashboards, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday

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 86,027, (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station. 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.

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.

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 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.

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