Director, Governance, Risk andEthics

Permanent- 100%
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 partnership to advance the mission of the World Health Organization (WHO), enabling catalytic impact on the people whose lives rely on WHO’s work and facilitating innovation to maximize the impact of the resources we invest.
WHO plays a singular role in leading the global health ecosystem, acting as a first-responder to health crises including the current conflict in Ukraine and on behalf of the 15+ million people in urgent need of aid in Horn of Africa; producing technical guidelines and tools to prevent and treat disease; and acting as a country-level convener with an unparalleled level of trust. The crises of the 21st century, including COVID-19, have made clear both the inequity of access to effective and affordable healthcare and the indispensable role of WHO. Yet WHO lacks sufficient resources to fulfill its mandate. And, beyond funding, its vision cannot be achieved by the public sector alone.
The WHO Foundation was therefore created as an independent Swiss foundation affiliated with but independent of WHO to marshal new resources from philanthropists, foundations, businesses, and individuals to support its mission: promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable, while protecting the neutrality and independence of WHO as the world’s leading health authority. WHOF is a nexus for unique opportunities in global health, facilitating game-changing opportunities between the private sector and WHO. Our focus is on mobilizing grant income, shared value partnerships, and investment to power WHO’s work.

PURPOSE
The Head of Governance, Risk and Ethics ensures the WHO Foundation operates with the highest standards of governance, ethics, and risk management. This role supports the Board of Directors, leads corporate secretariat functions, and safeguards compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.

REPORTS TO
The Director, Governance, Risk and Ethics will report directly to the Chief Administrative Officer of the WHO Foundation and will also collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders on different subject matters.

ACCOUNTABILITIES & FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1 Strategic Governance and Board Leadership
Serve as principal governance advisor, ensuring the effectiveness of the Foundation’s governance framework.
Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of governance policies, structures, and processes.
Ensure that governance practices anticipate and respond to the evolving expectations of our partners and impact-driven donors.

1. Enterprise Risk Management
   Spearhead a comprehensive risk management strategy that anticipates emerging challenges and cultivates organizational resilience in pursuit of the WHO Foundation’s mission.
   Monitor and report on strategic, operational, reputational, and fiduciary risks to the CEO, and Board.
   Establish scenario planning, crisis management, and organizational continuity frameworks in alignment with best practices.
   Act as a thought partner to leadership on managing uncertainty, mission risk, and reputational exposure.

2. Regulatory Affairs and Global Compliance
   Ensure the WHO Foundation’s compliance with applicable legal, fiscal, and regulatory frameworks across all jurisdictions of operation, registration, or fundraising.
   Oversee legal and statutory obligations, including tax-exempt status, charitable registration, donor compliance, Lead the Foundation’s engagement with regulatory and oversight bodies to ensure full compliance and protect institutional credibility.
   Anticipate shifts in the global philanthropic, fundraising, and compliance landscape, and proactively align policies and practices to maintain trust and safeguard the Foundation’s license to operate across jurisdictions.

3. Institutional Ethics and Conduct
   Serve as the Foundation’s Chief Ethics Officer, ensuring the integrity of its internal and external conduct.
   Lead the design and implementation of ethics and conduct frameworks, including policies on conflict of interest, anti-fraud, whistleblowing, and anti-corruption.
   Promote an ethical, inclusive, and accountable organizational culture through capacity building, communication, and leadership engagement. 5. Strategic Advisory and Leadership
   Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior leadership on all matters related to governance, risk, ethics, and compliance.
   Engage with global partners, donors, and governance experts to position the WHO Foundation as a leader in ethical and transparent philanthropy.
   Foster a governance and ethics architecture that enables innovation, partnership, and trust-building in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

PROFILE
10–15 years of relevant experience in legal, governance, risk management, ethics, or compliance roles, preferably within international non-profit or philanthropic organizations.
A relevant academic background in areas such as law, policy, international affairs, or risk-related disciplines
Experience supporting or working with Boards of Directors and senior leadership teams.
Solid understanding of global compliance and risk environments. Hands-on experience managing ethics policies, integrity processes, or internal investigations.
In-depth experience in governance, risk, and ethics practices in a global context, either in a for-profit or non-profit ex.
Good communicator with strong interpersonal and coordination skills.
Able to work across teams, cultures, and geographies with professionalism and discretion.Comfortable managing sensitive issues and ensuring compliance with policies and standards.
High integrity, sound judgment, and attention to detail.
Committed to ethical conduct and the Foundation’s mission. Adaptable, proactive, and solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment.

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
Potential to leverage a multinational name and organization in the form of

WHO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Type of contract: Permanent
Location: Remote or based in Geneva
Working rate: 100%
Estimated start date: ASAP

Application deadline:
This is a rolling process; applications will be reviewed as they arrive.

The WHO Foundation puts equity at the center of all its work and is committed to building, fostering, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Employment and advancement opportunities are based upon individual qualifications, regardless of gender, color, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, nationality, cultural & religious background, beliefs, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and marital status. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.