Chief of Staff / Chief of Staff

Permanent Position - 100% Based in Geneva

About Us

The WHO Foundation (WHOF), launched in May 2020 and headquartered in Geneva, was created as an independent Swiss foundation affiliated with but independent of WHO. Its mission is to mobilize greater private capital and partnerships to advance the mission of the World Health Organization (WHO), enabling catalytic impact on the lives of those who rely on WHO’s work and facilitating innovation to maximize the effectiveness of our investments.

WHO plays a critical role in leading the global health ecosystem, acting as a first responder to health crises, including cross-border conflicts and outbreaks in underserved communities. It produces technical guidelines and tools to prevent and treat diseases and serves as a trusted convener at the country level. The challenges of the 21st century, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the inequities in access to effective and affordable healthcare and underscored WHO's indispensable role. However, WHO lacks sufficient resources to fulfill its mandate, and its vision cannot be achieved by public sector funding alone.

The WHO Foundation was established to mobilize new resources from philanthropists, foundations, businesses, and individuals to support its mission: to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable while maintaining the neutrality and independence of WHO as the world's leading health authority. WHOF serves as a nexus for unique opportunities in global health, facilitating transformative partnerships between the private sector and WHO. Our focus is on mobilizing grant income, shared value partnerships, and investments to enhance WHO’s work.

Purpose

The Chief of Staff will serve as a right hand to the CEO, supporting a wide range of internal and external activities. This role requires representing and extending the CEO's capacity while acting as an advisor. The Chief of Staff will also play a critical role in supporting the Executive Management Team (EMT)’s engagement with WHO and its partners.

Although the Chief of Staff will have limited or no direct line management responsibilities, they must demonstrate dynamic leadership capabilities and build trust across diverse teams and organizational cultures. This includes effectively communicating in the “language” of WHO while also aligning with the corporate and philanthropic partners of the WHO Foundation.

Given the small size of the WHO Foundation (50-60 staff), the Chief of Staff will frequently tackle special projects of critical importance that require organization-wide engagement. This necessitates strong project management skills, a commitment to performance, and the ability to conduct quantitative analyses and prepare presentations and written documents.

The Chief of Staff will assist the CEO and EMT in prioritizing the organization's needs while ensuring effective engagement with WHO at various levels, including its Geneva and regional leaders. A strong understanding of WHO and adept relationship management skills are essential for success in this role. The Chief of Staff will also promote a strong emphasis on justice and equity across all functions, holding accountability for departmental operational plans and metrics while inspiring teams throughout the Foundation.

Reports To

The Chief of Staff will report directly to the CEO of the WHO Foundation and collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders on various subject matters.

Accountabilities & Functional Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Develop and oversee robust plans to implement the Foundation’s strategic vision in collaboration with the leadership team.
• Prioritize competing initiatives and help the CEO focus on delivering the greatest impact.
• Ensure strategies are clearly communicated and successfully operationalized across the organization.
• Support the CEO’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) vision, working with the Chief People Officer to embed accountability and measure progress.
• Monitor progress toward strategic goals, identify risks and opportunities, and provide timely updates and recommendations to the CEO.
• Lead change management efforts to ensure smooth adoption of new strategies, processes, and ways of working across the Foundation.

Communication & Liaison

• Act as the CEO’s primary point of contact with all key stakeholders.
• Serve as the bridge between the WHO Foundation and WHO stakeholders, ensuring strong alignment on shared priorities.
• Facilitate effective communication across teams and with key partners.
• Represent the CEO by receiving visitors, attending meetings, and coordinating events as required.
• Prepare and oversee correspondence, briefing materials, talking points, and reports for the CEO’s review and signature.

Decision Support

• Gather, synthesize, and analyze data to provide actionable insights for strategic decision-making.
• Partner with the CEO to make informed, risk-aware, and mission-aligned decisions.
• Anticipate challenges and apply creative problem-solving to drive organizational impact.
• Support the CEO in stakeholder management by mapping key relationships and ensuring follow-through on commitments.

Project Management

• Lead and coordinate special projects and cross-functional initiatives on behalf of the CEO.
• Ensure timely execution, clear accountability, and measurable outcomes.

Leadership & Coordination

• Provide strategic leadership support to the executive team, ensuring alignment with Foundation priorities.
• Coordinate executive activities, promote collaboration, and encourage proactive decision-making.

Board Relations

• Support CEO’s relationships with the Board of Directors.
• Oversee preparation of board materials, agendas, and reports, ensuring timely communication.
• Support effective governance and ensure follow-up on board decisions.

External Relations

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including donors, partners, and global health leaders.
• Represent the Foundation at high-level events, forums, and engagements to advance its mission and visibility.

Profile

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a leadership role required.
• Significant experience in strategy, analysis, project management, and execution.
• Preferred knowledge of and exposure to the Global Health sector.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Expertise in managing evolving multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• High-impact communicator, capable of engaging and stimulating stakeholders.
• Strong judgment and ability to serve as a strategic advisor and influencer.
• Experience navigating politically complex situations.
• Capacity to build relationships with diverse individuals and organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, partnerships, and external relations.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with proven leadership in a multicultural environment.
• Outstanding communication and negotiating abilities.

What We Offer

• Rewarding work in a dynamic and innovative non-profit environment with appealing growth and learning opportunities.
• A collaborative workplace within a truly global team.
• An agile, fast-moving, and flexible environment.
• Opportunities to leverage a multinational name and organization like the WHO.

Additional Information

• Type of contract: Permanent
• Location: Geneva (relocation may be required)
• Working rate: 100%
• Estimated start date: ASAP

Application Process

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

The WHO Foundation is committed to equity and fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.