It's an Inside Job
Insights from an UN WHO Leader on Fostering Resilient & Responsive Teams. Dr. Rui Vaz, A Former WHO Leader.
Dr Rui Gama Vaz is a retiree from the World Health Organisation ()WHO, who worked for 22 years for the Organization in different capacities. A medical doctor from Mozambique with a MPH from the University of Washington, USA.
Prior to his retirement from WHO he was the Coordinator of Country Cooperation Unit at the Headquarters in Geneva.
He was also the Head of WHO Country Office in Nigeria; Programme Area Coordinator for Polio in the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO); the WHO Representative in Angola; Regional Adviser for HIV/AIDS in AFRO; WHO Liaison Officer in Seychelles; WHO/EPI/Polio Team Leader in Angola and UNAIDS Country Programme Adviser.
During his work with WHO, he supported national authorities in Nigeria in containing the Ebola epidemic in 2014 and the interruption of polio. He also supported the Government of Angola in interrupting twice the polio transmission and several other emergencies during the civil war.
Dr. Vaz' s take-home tips:
Ensuring a resilient team particularly working in countries facing internal conflicts and public health emergencies:
• Requires a strong leadership, with a motivated staff with clear definition of roles, responsibilities and strong accountability system which will help you to take fair and evidence-based decisions in terms of staff performance.
• Need a strong back-up from the respective senior management
• Leadership it’s not given. You must earn it! Leadership is defined by results and not attributes
• It´s critical to keep your staff motivated and engaged in your office policies, strategic and operational decisions with a good communication system in place. Always ensure their safety and protection as a priority matter, particularly when working in complex environments
In this episode, Dr. Vaz and I explore the questions and issues around the following:
- Based on your 40 years experience on public health, most particularly addressing public health emergencies, like HIV/AIDS, polio and Ebola, what were the main challenges that you faced and how did you address them?
- What are in your opinion, based on your experience in public health, the key shifts in addressing public health emergencies in countries?
- What do you specifically do to build resilie
SDOH: why they are important and how they can play a role in more efficient care
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Champion Your Culture with Ryan McCarty and George RogersA weekly live show exploring the power of culture and leadership in business.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Coaching In SessionAre you struggling to achieve your personal goals or maximize your company's potential?
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
Sign up for the weekly IT'S AN INSIDE JOB NEWSLETTER
- takes 5 seconds to fill out
- receive a fresh update every Wednesday
Dr Rui Gama Vaz is a retiree from the World Health Organisation ()WHO, who worked for 22 years for the Organization in different capacities. A medical doctor from Mozambique with a MPH from the University of Washington, USA.
Prior to his retirement from WHO he was the Coordinator of Country Cooperation Unit at the Headquarters in Geneva.
He was also the Head of WHO Country Office in Nigeria; Programme Area Coordinator for Polio in the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO); the WHO Representative in Angola; Regional Adviser for HIV/AIDS in AFRO; WHO Liaison Officer in Seychelles; WHO/EPI/Polio Team Leader in Angola and UNAIDS Country Programme Adviser.
During his work with WHO, he supported national authorities in Nigeria in containing the Ebola epidemic in 2014 and the interruption of polio. He also supported the Government of Angola in interrupting twice the polio transmission and several other emergencies during the civil war.
Dr. Vaz' s take-home tips:
Ensuring a resilient team particularly working in countries facing internal conflicts and public health emergencies:
• Requires a strong leadership, with a motivated staff with clear definition of roles, responsibilities and strong accountability system which will help you to take fair and evidence-based decisions in terms of staff performance.
• Need a strong back-up from the respective senior management
• Leadership it’s not given. You must earn it! Leadership is defined by results and not attributes
• It´s critical to keep your staff motivated and engaged in your office policies, strategic and operational decisions with a good communication system in place. Always ensure their safety and protection as a priority matter, particularly when working in complex environments
In this episode, Dr. Vaz and I explore the questions and issues around the following:
- Based on your 40 years experience on public health, most particularly addressing public health emergencies, like HIV/AIDS, polio and Ebola, what were the main challenges that you faced and how did you address them?
- What are in your opinion, based on your experience in public health, the key shifts in addressing public health emergencies in countries?
- What do you specifically do to build resilie
SDOH: why they are important and how they can play a role in more efficient care
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Champion Your Culture with Ryan McCarty and George RogersA weekly live show exploring the power of culture and leadership in business.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Coaching In SessionAre you struggling to achieve your personal goals or maximize your company's potential?
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
Sign up for the weekly IT'S AN INSIDE JOB NEWSLETTER
- takes 5 seconds to fill out
- receive a fresh update every Wednesday