Prof. Syed Jaffar Hussain

Prof. Syed Jaffar Hussain (Pakistan) has been reassigned as WHO Country Representative and Head of Mission, Islamic Republic of Iran effective 1 April 2021. Prior to joining as Head of Mission Iran, Prof. Hussain was working as Chef de Cabinet, WHO Regional Office EMRO 1 July 2019-31 March 2021.

Prior to that, Prof. Hussain has worked as WHO Representative/Head of Mission Libya (September 2015-July 2019) and Head of Mission Tunisia (May 2016-Feb 2018). During this period Prof. Hussain took the responsibility of Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for a period of six months.

Before joining Libya office, Prof. Hussain worked as WHO Representative/Head of Mission for Iraq 2010-2015 including covering Syria for some time. His previous work assignment include serving as Regional Adviser Health Promotion/Violence, Injuries and Disabilities, WHO Regional Office for EMR since 2003.

Prof. Hussain holds a Doctorate in Public Health from Belford, United States, and a Master Degree in Hospital and Health Services Management from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom and Medicine Degree from University of Peshawar, Pakistan. Prior to joining WHO Regional Office, Prof. Hussain held the positions of Project Officer Child Health, UNICEF, Pakistan, WHO Technical Officer Child Health, Pakistan, and Health Coordinator in UNHCR, Pakistan/Afghanistan, from 1997 to January 2003. His government assignments include Assistant Director of the EPI, Assistant District Health Officer, Deputy Medical Superintendent Psychiatric Hospital, and National Programme Manager Lady Health Programme for Primary Health Care and Family Planning from 1990 to 1997.

Prof. Hussain worked extensively in emergency settings, particularly focusing on post-emergency health system strengthening as well as health issues of refuges and migrants in the Region and beyond. Prof. Hussain served as Regional Ombudsperson 2006-2010. Prof. Hussain has led many UN leadership initiatives with UN staff college, World Bank and WHO and the author of numerous publications in international journals

On June, 2021 Prof. Hussain was presented with the TUMS Distinguished Visiting Professor Title for the duration of 2020-2023 by Head of Global Health and Public Policy Department of TUMS School of Public Health.