Information for STAGE nomination /Application
The Strategic and Technical Advisory Group of Experts (STAGE) on Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health, and Nutrition (MNCAHN) with 30 experts was established by Director-General (DG), WHO in March 2020. The group has completed five years, and this is the third call for new members. As part of the rotating membership policy, WHO is soliciting proposals globally for nomination of 13-14 new experts to serve on STAGE, starting from January 2026.
Female candidates and candidates from low-and middle-income countries are specifically encouraged to apply. In addition, besides MNCAHN expertise, applicants with expertise in health systems and health economics are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel, which will propose nominees to the Director-General (DG), WHO for appointment.
Candidates should submit their applications no later than 22 June 2025 using the provided link:STAGE core functions
The core function of this Strategic and Technical Advisory Group of Experts for MNCAHN is to provide strategic and technical advice to WHO on matters relating to maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, and nutrition and to inform the WHO Primary Health Care (PHC) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agendas, with a focus on maximizing country impact as well as coordinated global leadership. It is charged with advising WHO on overall global policies and strategies that will support the provision of integrated high-quality health care services encompassing health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment to ensure that pregnant women, mothers and newborn, children, and adolescents survive and thrive.
STAGE has the following functions:
- To review and make recommendations to WHO on broad priority topics for developing or updating WHO guidelines, norms and standards to steer national strategies and policies or to improve their implementation.
- To advise WHO on priority intervention packages and delivery approaches (based on relevant WHO guidelines) for inclusion in the WHO agendas for primary health care and universal health coverage in different epidemiological contexts and health systems.
- To review and make recommendations to WHO on strategies to ensure greater investment for national implementation of context-appropriate intervention packages, innovations and delivery approaches.
- To advise WHO on strategies to improve the effective coverage and quality of implementation of WHO-recommended intervention packages and delivery approaches.
- To advise WHO on innovative mechanisms to enable knowledge translation so that the evidence and guidelines can be more effectively translated into practice at a country and regional level.
- To advise WHO on other topics identified by WHO for which there is no scientific consensus or varied acceptance among countries.
STAGE has no executive or regulatory function. Its role is solely to provide advice and recommendations to the DG, WHO. Members play a critical role in ensuring the reputation of STAGE as an internationally recognized advisory group in the field of MNCAHN. Members serve in individual capacity and do not represent institutions or constituencies or interest groups. Decision making shall be evidence-based, be transparent, and minimize conflicts of interests.
STAGE Terms of Reference provides additional information.
Qualities required for STAGE members
STAGE members are expected to have policy and programmatic expertise representing a broad range of professional areas (i.e., academia, medical profession, research institutes, public health departments, and civil society including faith-based organizations). The major thematic areas include maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent health, nutrition, public health, epidemiology, health economics, social sciences, anthropology, gender, human rights, and communication sciences. In addition, expertise in program design and management, service delivery, and research & development with understanding of the broad health systems is valued.
The working language of the meeting will be English.
Below are the criteria that will be applied when assessing candidates. To be considered, candidates must be able to demonstrate to have the qualities, skills, and experience to meet the following criteria.
All candidates are expected to have:
- an excellent understanding of the maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health, and nutrition program, policies, and strategies across broad domains, with a minimum of 10 years of experience post their terminal degree
- an understanding of global issues related to the implementation and evaluation of MNCAHN interventions
- an outstanding record of achievement and personal credibility in their own area of expertise
- experience of work in international settings and developing countries
- experience of operating at a strategic level in the public or other sectors
- experience of working effectively in high level advisory committees
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills to support effective discussion with a range of stakeholders
- good command of English
Compensation
Appointments to STAGE are not remunerated.
However, members will be compensated for expenses related with attendance to
meetings. Such compensation, which includes the issuance of airline tickets,
per diem to cover lodging, food and incidental expenses will be in accordance
with the WHO travel rules.
Time commitment
STAGE meetings will normally occur twice a year, however, frequency will be adjusted as necessary. The STAGE meetings may either be held in person (at WHO headquarters in Geneva) or through video or teleconferences. Overall, including meeting and travel time, participation in teleconferences, e-mail interaction, and participation in working groups, one can expect at least 15 days commitment spread over the year. The meetings are generally scheduled in the middle and at the end of year. All selected members are required to attend these and other STAGE meetings. An information package will be provided to enable members to fully understand the work and functioning of the Group.
Conflict of interests
You should note particularly the requirement to declare any potential conflict of interests that arises during STAGE tenure and the need to declare any relevant business interests, positions of authority or other connections with organizations relevant to the work of STAGE.
Any actual or perceived conflict of interests will be fully explored by the Secretariat.
Members with specific declared interests will be asked to recuse themselves from participating in the discussion and/or decision-making of the issues relating to that interest.
Selection process and tenure
Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel, which will propose the selection of nominees to the WHO Director-General for appointment. Consideration will be given to ensuring appropriate geographic representation and gender balance, along with technical expertise. Members will be appointed for an initial period of three years. Appointments may be renewable for one more term at the end of the first period of office.
How to apply
To apply, please provide information in the call for STAGE members, including your curriculum vitae. The CV should be written in English and should include your career history and list your main areas of employment or other relevant activity and other public appointments. You should also include details of any relevant academic, professional, or vocational qualifications.
For any questions or clarifications, please write to bvarghese@who.int
Candidates should submit their applications no later than 22 June 2025.