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, operates as an independent Swiss foundation affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO). Our mission is to mobilize greater private capital and partnerships to advance the objectives of WHO, facilitating impactful innovations that maximize the benefits derived from our investments.

WHO leads the global health ecosystem, swiftly responding to health crises, including cross-border conflicts and outbreaks in underserved communities. It produces technical guidelines and tools for disease prevention and treatment while cultivating unparalleled trust at the country level. The ongoing crises of the 21st century, such as COVID-19, have highlighted the inequities in access to affordable healthcare and the essential role WHO plays. However, WHO’s ability to fulfill its mandate is constrained by inadequate resources, necessitating support beyond what public sector funding can provide.

The WHO Foundation was established to attract new resources from philanthropists, foundations, businesses, and individuals to support its mission: promote health, ensure global safety, and serve the vulnerable while maintaining the neutrality and independence of WHO as the world’s leading health authority. WHOF serves as a hub for transformative global health initiatives, bridging partnerships between the private sector and WHO while focused on mobilizing grants, shared-value collaborations, and investments to enhance WHO’s work.

PURPOSE

The Chief of Staff will serve as a “right hand” to the CEO, providing support for a range of internal and external activities. This role requires the Chief of Staff to represent and extend the capabilities of the CEO, acting as a vital adviser while engaging actively with the Executive Management Team (EMT) and the WHO ecosystem.

Although this position may involve limited line management responsibilities, the ideal candidate will be a dynamic leader capable of building trust across diverse teams and organizational cultures. The Chief of Staff should be comfortable communicating both the language of WHO and the interests of corporate and philanthropic partners. Internally, maintaining trust at the WHO Foundation is essential for collaborating effectively across all teams and functions.

Given the compact size of the WHO Foundation (50-60 staff), the Chief of Staff will frequently manage special projects of critical importance that require engagement throughout the organization. This demands strong project management skills, a high-performance ethic, and the ability to engage in detailed quantitative analyses and preparation of presentations and written materials.

The Chief of Staff will assist the CEO and EMT in prioritizing initiatives that address the most pressing needs of the organization while ensuring effective engagement with WHO at various levels. A strong knowledge of WHO and effective relationship management will be crucial.

Moreover, the Chief of Staff will advocate for a commitment to justice and equity across all functions, emphasizing accountability for departmental operational plans and metrics while serving as a positive leader who inspires teams within the Foundation.

REPORTS TO

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

ACCOUNTABILITIES & FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Develop and oversee comprehensive plans to execute the Foundation's strategic vision with the leadership team.
• Prioritize competing initiatives and help the CEO concentrate on high-impact activities.
• Ensure strategies are clearly communicated and successfully implemented across the organization.
• Support the CEO’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) vision in collaboration with the Chief People Officer.
• Monitor progress toward strategic goals, identify risks and opportunities, and provide timely updates to the CEO.
• Lead change management efforts to facilitate smooth adoption of new strategies and processes.

Communication & Liaison

• Act as the CEO’s primary point of contact with all key stakeholders.
• Bridge the WHO Foundation and WHO stakeholders to ensure alignment on shared priorities.
• Facilitate effective communication across teams and with key partners.
• Represent the CEO at events and meetings as required.
• Prepare and oversee correspondence, briefing materials, and reports for the CEO’s review.

Decision Support

• Synthesize and analyze data to provide actionable insights for strategic decisions.
• Partner with the CEO for informed, mission-aligned decision-making.
• Apply creative problem-solving to anticipate challenges and drive organizational impact.
• Support stakeholder management by mapping key relationships and ensuring follow-through on commitments.

Project Management

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

Leadership & Coordination

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

Board Relations

• Support the CEO’s relationships with the Board of Directors.
• Oversee the preparation of board materials and ensure effective governance.

External Relations

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

PROFILE

• A minimum of 10 years in a leadership role is required.
• Significant experience in strategy, analysis, project management, and execution.
• Preferred knowledge of and previous exposure to the Global Health sector.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Expertise in managing and evolving partnerships with multiple stakeholders.
• High-impact communication skills, capturing and holding attention effectively.
• Strong judgment with the ability to act as a strategic advisor.
• Experience working in politically complex situations.
• Capacity to build relationships with diverse individuals and organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Outstanding communication and negotiating abilities.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Rewarding work in a dynamic, innovative non-profit environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
• A collaborative workplace within a truly global team.
• An agile, fast-moving, and flexible environment.
• Potential to leverage the multinational stature of WHO.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Type of contract: Permanent

Location: Geneva (relocation required)

Working rate: 100%

Estimated start date: ASAP

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

The WHO Foundation prioritizes equity in all its endeavors, committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Employment opportunities are based on individual qualifications without regard to gender, color, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, nationality, cultural and religious background, beliefs, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and marital status. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.