Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus assumed the responsibilities of Acting WHO Representative to Sri Lanka on 3 June 2025.

Before his current appointment, he served as the WHO Representative to the Philippines from 2023 to 2025, following his tenure as the WHO Representative to Bhutan from 2017 to 2023. He also worked at the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) in New Delhi, India, as the Coordinator for Country Support and Coordination from 2015 to 2017. 

Dr Rui also held other senior positions at WHO SEARO, including serving as the Regional Advisor for Leprosy Elimination Programme (2012-2014), Regional Advisor for Communicable Diseases Control (2010-2012), Technical Officer for Country Cooperation Strategy and Governing Bodies (2009), and Technical Officer for Sustainable Health Policy (2006-2009).  

Prior to joining WHO, Dr Rui worked at the World Bank Office in Timor-Leste as a Senior Health Specialist (2004-2005). He also held various senior positions in the government of Timor-Leste during the UN East Timor Transitional Administration.