Project Assistant

Overview

Support project management and administrative tasks to enhance health systems reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

You have:

• Completion of secondary school or equivalent.
• Relevant higher education or post-secondary school courses in a field relevant to the position.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the secretarial/administrative field.
• Experience in an international environment or institution.
• Experience in WHO or in the UN.
• Expert knowledge of English.
• Expert knowledge of Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian in Latin alphabet.
• Expert knowledge of Serbian in Cyrillic alphabet.
• Proficiency in the use of standard office computer software, note taking and operation of computerized systems and databases.
• Sound interpersonal skills and flexibility.
• Ability to adapt to competing priorities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

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.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 2,159 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, 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 WHO Country Office works with the country authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing global health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.

The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020-2025 “United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens' expectations abouthealth. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country-focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on health issues to all domestic and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims atmore community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity. The project “Support to the Health Sector Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) - Realizing the Potential of Primary Health Care-driven Health Systems Reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina” is a EU co-funded project with a planned duration of four years.The overall objective is to contribute to building resilient, primary health care (PHC)-based health systems, fit for moving towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Bosnia and Herzegovina.The specific objective is to strengthen health systems governance by developing policy frameworks for integrated, people-centred PHC and improved, performance-focused PHC service delivery and coverage in selected geographic areas (in Entities/District of BIH: Federation of BIH, Republika Srpska and Brčko District of BIH.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the EU co-funded project “Support to the Health Sector Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH)”, to perform a variety of secretarial, coordinating, monitoring and administrative services, as part of the WHO Country Office team. Key duties:

• Drafts correspondence and documents based on written/verbal prompts from the Professional staff of the unit. Independently composes and finalizes correspondence of administrative nature. Revises unit correspondence, reports, and documents for proper form and (non-technical) content. Provides unofficial translation or synopsis of incoming mail, and drafts from standard texts and phrases outgoing correspondence. Takes notes at meetings. Types reports and other documentation. Arranges duty travel.
• Scans, records, refers and follows up correspondence and documents,evaluates the urgency or critical nature of items, and brings them to the attention of the responsible staff. Informs and reminds responsible staff of follow-up dates and deadlines for response or specific actions, supplying supporting material as appropriate.
• Using GSM, monitors aspects of the implementation of project activities and availability of funds for project budget levels and financial expenditures, according to the approved country project. Assembles draft background for planning, monitoring and evaluation (including mini-review) 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 related to the project implementation with regard to preparation of standard contracts (consultancy, APW, DFC, etc.) as per the established EURO guidelines, recruitment of consultants and temporary advisers, and arrangements of events, study tours and duty travel in accordance with the approved project plans.
• Assists in the organization of meetings held in-the country (working groups, seminars/courses, workshops, and symposia), i.e. makes general administrative preparations, including organization of practical local arrangements and advance transport of documents/equipment; arranges hospitality as appropriate. Provides administrative and secretarial support during the meetings. Prepares administrative reports to ensure all activities are well documented.
• Establishes and maintains the filing system of technical documents and correspondence. Creates background files and compiles reference material as appropriate. Establishes and updates a proper computerized information system on on-going collaboration, counterparts, inter-related activities of other international or national partners. Accesses and retrieves information from relevant databases and updates as required.
• Provides briefing and guidance to general service and professional staff on practices and procedures; assists/replaces colleagues in the team and performs other related duties as required.

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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 field relevant to the position.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience 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 taking and operation of computerized systems and databases.

Sound interpersonal skills and flexibility.

Ability to adapt to competing priorities.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian in Latin alphabet. Expert knowledge of Serbian in Cyrillic alphabet. 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 BAM 40,104 (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.

• 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.

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

• 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 for WHO jobs.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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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Potential interview questions