Programme Assistant

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-5 contracts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy development and implementation at national, regional and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course. The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights and gender mainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacity for health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mental health, public health and social care services. To do so, CPS supports country efforts to facilitate access so as to leave nobody behind, to improve financial protection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology.

The European Office for Investment in Health & Development, Venice, works to further implement the concept of the Economy of Health and Wellbeing and promote investment in health and health systems. At country level it will strengthen awareness of the links between inequity and impact on health services and promote health equity and reducing health inequalities as a priority for social cohesion and economic growth. Particular attention will be given to the promotion of gender equality and human rights, in line with GPW13, EPW, WHA and EURO MS discussions. Implementation and support at country level is facilitated through the coordination of networks at local, regional, national and sub-regional levels.

The Healthy settings programme works to place health and well-being high on the key political agendas in settings of and specifically coordinates two European cross cutting networks, namely the European Regions for Health network and the Small Country initiative. At the European level the program advocates the needs of settings at the regional and international levels, promotes investment for health and well-being, leaving no one behind, has a solution platform for better population health and resilient health systems and measures progress.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Regional Technical Officer Healthy settings, and as part of the Venice Office team, the incumbent provides administrative support and program coordination to the Healthy settings programme and the Venice Office as follows:

• Manage incoming and preparation of outgoing programme-related administrative correspondence and documents; scans, records, refers and follows up correspondence and documents, evaluates the urgency or critical nature of items, redirecting requests and information where required, follow-up on clearances and deadlines.
• Revision of programme/Office correspondence, reports, and documents for proper form and adherence to standards and rules of the organization.
• Informs and reminds responsible staff of follow-up dates and deadlines for response or specific actions, supplying supporting material as appropriate.
• Types reports and other documentation.
• Arranges duty travel.
• Using GSM, monitors aspects of the implementation of activities and availability of funds for project/programme budget levels and financial expenditures, according to the approved projects.
• Assembles draft background for planning, monitoring and evaluation exercises.
• Inputs duty travel recommendations and issues reminders re follow up, records project/programme monitoring and evaluation notes.
• Makes administrative arrangements for country and intercountry activities of the Healthy Settings programme, the Regions for Health network and the Small county initiative, including preparation of various committal documents related to procurement of goods and services, including consultants, arrangements of study tours and duty travel in accordance with the approved programme budget/collaborative programmes with countries.
• Ensure compliance with internal systems, rules and regulations and award agreements.
• Monitor deliverable and payment schedules of contracts, and payments processing.
• Assists in the organization of both internal and external meetings online and face-to-face (working annual meetings, working groups, webinars,seminars/courses, workshops, and symposia) ensuring appropriate documentation.
• Ensure oversight and coordination of the various tasks and requirements involved including organization of practical local arrangements, advance transport of documents/equipment,. production of relevant documentation, communications, local arrangements/suppliers, hospitality, payments to participants if required.
• Prepares administrative reports/evaluation.
• Establishes and maintains the unit's filing system of technical documents and correspondence.
• Creates background files and compiles reference material as appropriate.'
• Accesses and retrieves information from relevant databases and updates as required.
• Responds to and acts on telephone enquiries.
• Assesses the critical nature of technical enquiries and refers them to appropriate staff for reply.
• Coordinates appointments for supervisor and organizes programmes for visitors.
• Provides briefing and guidance to all staff, of the Healthy setting program, and on general office practices and procedures; serves as back-up for some administrative tasks during colleagues' absence
• Perform other related duties as required or instructed, including providing support to other areas of work of the Venice Office in case of need.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Completion of secondary school or equivalent. Desirable: Relevant higher education or post-secondary school courses in a fieldrelevant to the position from an accredited institution.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of progressively responsibleexperience in the secretarial/administrative field. Desirable: Experience in an international environment or institution. Relevantexperience in WHO or in the UN.

Skills

Proficiency in the use of standard office computer software, note takingand operation of computerized systems and databases.Sound interpersonal skills and flexibility. Ability toadapt to competing priorities. Abilityto work in a fast-paced environment. Emotionalintelligence; Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well ashelping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Knowing and managing yourself
• Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of Italian. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French,Russian,Germa.

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 EUR 41,385 (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 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.

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

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• 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.

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