Programme Assistant

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO has been entrusted with the implementation of the Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) component of the Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP) under the Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), managed by the World Bank, which commenced in July 2024. The HSTP under the MDTF has been conceived as part of the process of increasing efficiencies, reducing transactional costs, and improving health system and service delivery impact within the health sector. The HSTP consists of two components: Health Service Delivery (HSD) and Health systems strengthening (HSS) that will be implemented by UNICEF and WHO respectively, while ensuring synergy and complementarity to maximize impact. The HSS interventions were jointly developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Health in collaboration with partners and a realigned to the Health Sector Strategic Plan (2023-2027) priorities. They a restructured along the following eleven program areas: Emergency Preparedness and Response; Laboratory Systems; Blood Transfusion Services; Health Information Systems; Health Financing; Leadership and Governance; Partnerships; Quality of Care; Essential Medicines; Human Resources for Health; and Disease Control. The WHO country office is therefore embarking on implementation of the health systems strengthening component of the HSTP and requires a Program Assistant to provide support in the day-to-day program and financial activities, including updating of operational planning budget and finance matters in GSM, administrative actions related to budgets, human resources, and filing/safe keeping of administrative and financial documents.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Check all obligating documents, entering relevant information available from GSM or other on-line systems, ensuring the availability of funds, updating files, and transferring funds as instructed or as delegated. Review obligating documents for completeness, and following-up on missing information, liquidating obligations, undertaking reconciliation, and preparing periodic reports, as required. Review various contractual documents, issuing PTAEO numbers, earmarking funds, verifying, and following up on payment requests. Prepare purchase requisition for IT equipment's and other assets for the cluster, working in close collaboration with relevant colleagues to ensure that ordered items are appropriate. Keep track of all contract extensions and renewals, checking and ensuring that funds are available for the proposed contract. Follow-up on program implementation, drawing the attention of the supervisor or other senior staff to problems, inconsistencies, and delays. Draft correspondence on own initiative or based on instructions; to finalize correspondence/reports for signature; to analyze incoming correspondence and requests, researching, obtaining, and attaching background information when required, or redirecting them as appropriate, drawing the attention of the supervisor or other senior staff concerned. Review and alert HR on the staffing need and on the contract status for the staff within the cluster for HR to take appropriate actions. Act as leave administrator of the staff within the cluster. Initiate TR for non-staff; Perform other related duties as required or instructed, including providing support to other areas of work as assigned competencies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Completion of secondary school, supplemented by training in finance and Administration or Business Administration or its equivalent training. Knowledge of general administrative and HR Policy theory and Procedures.
Desirable: Training in UN/HR systems, computer skills. Proven skills in program administration and finance.

Experience

Essential: Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in Program and Administrative support positions.
Desirable: Relevant experience in the WHO, other UN agency and INGOS. Relevant experience in Microsoft applications (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) with an emphasis on Excel or a similar workbook application. ● Experience in enterprise resource planning systems.

Skills

Excellent analytical skills with the ability to coordinate activities and multitask. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to negotiate with and convince officials with tact and diplomacy. Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present information. Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Setting an example

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

REMUNERATION

WHO offers staff in the General Services category an attractive remuneration package, which for the above position includes an annual net base salary starting at USD 28,170 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.

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