Update on the selection process – 11 August 2025WHO thanks all applicants for their continued interest in serving on the STAG-HHS. Due to the ongoing organizational restructuring within WHO, including change in leadership in several areas, the selection process has been temporarily put on hold once again. This pause is necessary to validate the outcome of the selection process with the new leadership team before proceeding to the final stage – communication with selected experts and formal appointment by the Director-General. As previously noted, only selected candidates will be notified, and the final list of members will be published on the STAG-HHS webpage. |
Update on the selection process – 9 June 2025WHO thanks all applicants who expressed interest in serving on the STAG-HHS. WHO began reviewing applications in February 2025; however, due the emergency response to unprecedented suspensions and reductions in official development assistance for health and HIV programmes, as well as ongoing internal restructuring, the selection process was temporarily paused. Recognizing the importance of timely expert advice, WHO is resuming the evaluation and anticipates finalizing the selection in the coming weeks. As noted in the original call, only selected candidates will be notified, and a final list of members will be published on the STAG-HHS webpage. |
Issued on: 20 December 2024
The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking experts to serve as members of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (STAG-HHS). This Call for experts provides information about the advisory group in question, the expert profiles being sought, the process to express interest, and the process of selection.
Background
The STAG-HHS is convened annually to help WHO effectively guide the global response towards ending AIDS and the epidemics of viral hepatitis and STIs by 2030 in line with the global health sector strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs (GHSS) for the period 2022-2030. The STAG-HHS acts as an advisory body to WHO in this field.
At the last STAG-HHS meeting, held virtually from 20–22 November 2024, all members were thanked for their service, which for some had spanned more than five years. The full membership of the 2024 STAG-HHS was retired to refresh the STAG-HHS and create a more streamlined group for 2025 onwards. While former members are invited to express interest in rejoining the STAG-HHS, WHO is also looking for new experts in the three disease areas and cross cutting functions. The new STAG-HHS will also have fewer members to align with best practice across WHO.
Call for experts: functions of the STAG-HHS
In its capacity as an advisory body to WHO, the STAG-HHS has the following functions:
- to provide to the Director-General independent evaluation of the strategic, scientific, and technical aspects of the WHO programme of work on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections;
- to advise WHO on the strategic, technical, and capacity building priorities and guidance needed for supporting countries to respond optimally to their HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections epidemics;
- to review and make recommendations on establishing committees, working groups and other means through which scientific and technical matters relating to HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections are addressed;
- to advise on priorities for WHO’s programme of work on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections in the context of: (a) WHO’s mandate and corporate strategy; (b) the relevant activities and programmes of partner organizations; (c) trends in HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections epidemics; (d) and the health sector response to HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections epidemics; and
- pursuant to the above functions, to submit to the Director-General, through the Division of Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases, such technical documents, reports, and recommendations as it deems necessary.
Eligibility and requirements
The selection of members of the STAG-HHS will be made by WHO in its sole discretion, considering the following (non-exclusive) criteria:
- relevant technical expertise in the areas of HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections and/or related cross-cutting areas;
- experience in international and country policy work. Experience in low- and middle-income settings is particularly valued;
- ability to contribute to high-level, evidence-based discussions and strategic recommendations;
- communication skills; and
- ability to work constructively with people from different cultural backgrounds and orientations.
In the selection of the STAG-HHS members, consideration shall be given to attaining an adequate distribution of technical expertise, geographical representation, and gender balance.
Submitting your expression of interest
To register your interest in being considered for the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections, please submit the following documents by 14 February 2025, 23:59 CET to hiv-aids@who.int using the subject line “Expression of interest for the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs”:
- A short cover letter, indicating your motivation to apply and how you meet the selection criteria. Please note that, if selected, membership will be in a personal capacity. Therefore, we ask that you do not use the letterhead or other identification of your employer;
- Your curriculum vitae, including contact details, and
- A signed and completed Declaration of Interests form for experts available here.
After submission, your expression of interest will be reviewed by WHO Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes. Due to an expected high volume of interest, only selected individuals will be informed.
Important information about the selection processes and conditions of appointment
The STAG-HHS members shall serve in their personal capacities to represent the broad range of disciplines relevant to HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.
STAG-HHS members must respect the impartiality and independence required of WHO. In performing their work, members may not seek or accept instructions from any Government or from any authority external to the Organization. They must be free of any real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest. To this end, applicants are required to complete a declaration of interests form and their appointment, or continuation of their appointment, shall be subject to the evaluation of completed forms by the WHO Secretariat, determining that their participation in the group and its work would not give rise to a real, potential, or apparent conflict of interest.
Following a determination of the proposed membership for the renewed STAG-HHS would not give rise to a real, potential, or apparent conflict of interest, the proposed member will be sent a letter inviting them to integrate the STAG-HHS as a member. Appointment to the STAG-HHS is subject to WHO receiving the countersigned invitation letter and letter of agreement. Notwithstanding the requirement to complete the WHO declaration of interest form, STAG-HHS members have an ongoing obligation to inform the WHO of any interests real or perceived that may give raise to a real, potential, or apparent conflict of interest.
The appointment will be limited in time as indicated in the letter of appointment. WHO may publish the names and a short biography of the selected individuals on their website.
STAG-HHS members will not be remunerated for their services. When needed, travel and accommodation expenses of STAG-HHS members to participate in the in-person group meetings will be covered by WHO in accordance with its applicable policies, rules, and procedures.
If you have any questions about this Call for experts, please write to hiv-aids@who.int well before the applicable deadline.