Select your language
WHO Transformation
The many faces of inclusivity
Riffat Abbasi, Receptionist/Telephone Operator at the WHO Pakistan country office.As part of WHO’s ongoing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives for a respectful workplace, Riffat Zahoor Abbasi, Pakistan country office receptionist and member of the Regional Office’s DEI regional catalyst group, speaks about the importance of...
Setting the stage for PRSEAH
Dr Gaya Gamhewage, Director of PRSEAH at WHO headquartersAs consciousness of the issue of sexual misconduct has risen across WHO, Director of PRSEAH, Gaya Gamhewage, describes the key components that enable this form of misconduct and how the Organization is addressing it. Dr Gamhewage points to a lingering fear of reporting due to a perceived...
Senior managers fully engaged with transformation through the “100-day challenge”
11th Global Management Meeting at WHO headquarters, December 2022.In December 2022, the 11th Global Management Meeting (11GMM) took place at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, after a four-year hiatus. The meeting involved WHO representatives, directors from headquarters and regional offices, regional directors and the Director-General,...
Embedding PRSEAH measures in Afghanistan
Sharifullah Haqmal, National Professional Officer at the WHO Afghanistan country officeAs a grade 3 emergency country, preventing and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PRSEAH) in Afghanistan is paramount across all areas of WHO’s work in Afghanistan to be able to effectively deliver on the ground. Respectful workplace...
Delivering for impact in Bahrain
The Bahraini Farmers Market is a national initiative that offers fresh homegrown and local produceThe “100-day challenge” was established to drive measurable impact in countries in a short period of time by encouraging the systematic and consistent use of data in the prioritization of WHO’s work. To realize this vision, nine country offices were...
The Regional Director’s open-door policy
Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari WHO Regional Director for the Eastern MediterraneanThe open-door policy serves as a cornerstone in maintaining a positive work environment under Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. Through regular communication and feedback with senior management, staff and colleagues can form a deepening...
Transformation bears fruit with staff at the centre
Ms Sabine Bhanot, Change Management Specialist (UNSSC) Maintaining staff momentum during the transformation process is an essential component in internalizing change, so that transformation becomes an intrinsic part of the Organization rather than just a topic of interest. To assist in this, Ms Sabine Bhanot, Change Management Specialist from the United...
Reflections from a former IMST leader
Dr Abdinasir Abubakar Acting - WHO Representative in LebanonBased at the Regional Office for over seven years, Infectious Hazard Prevention and Preparedness Manager for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), Dr Abdinasir Abubakar reflects on the core skills and processes he learned as an Incident Management Support Team (IMST) leader. He describes...
Jordan’s Country Office embraces change
Jordan Country Office staff, 2022Driven by the motivation to break down silos, realign communication and ensure that all staff feel heard and secure, the WHO Country Office in Jordan is piloting the Region’s first country transformation team. Heralding this new era of change, Dr Jamela Al-Raiby, WHO Representative in Jordan, stresses the urgent need...
A staff counsellor’s guide to well-being
Athanasios Chirvatidis, Regional Staff CounsellorMaintaining your mental health and creating a good work-life balance means paying attention to both organizational and individual factors. To support the mental health and well-being of WHO staff, the first regional staff counsellor, Mr Athanasios Chirvatidis, provides some examples of practical...
