Project 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 people-centred policies, promoting health, preventing illness, and addressing 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 to leave nobody behind, improve financial protection, strengthen the health workforce, increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology.

The Health Workforce for Service Delivery (HWD) unit provides strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support to countries to improve access and quality of health and long-term care services delivered by a competent and sustainable workforce. It engages with professional bodies and patients to support the design and transformation of services which are geared to improve: patient experience of care across the health and social sector; health of the population, health care efficiency and the experience and engagement of the health and care workforce. To deliver these objectives aligned with the European Programme of Work and GPW 13 the unit supports countries through the development of policies, strategies, tools and capacities in the areas of the health workforce, (including nursing and midwifery and the public health workforce) to improve working conditions, retain and motivate the existing workforce; and align the education, training and production of the future workforce with population health needs, promote integration in service delivery to better bridge the divide between health systems and social care across the whole continuum of care, as well as supporting Member States efforts to put people at the centre of services.

The WHO Country Office supports the Member State to shape its health policy in line with WHO’s principles and values and advocates for an integrated approach to health development. By means of a single, unified and functionally integrated country representation, WHO facilitates the implementation of the BCA with the Member State and its corresponding country work plan. WHO helps the country to improve its health system and provides technical support as necessary.

The Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for Romania was approved by the European Council to support the implementation of sustainable reforms. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is the national agency responsible for the implementation of the reforms related to health care. Within the RRP, WHO is responsible for the provision of technical assistance to the 3.2 component that addresses Romania’s country-specific recommendation for improving healthcare access and cost-efficiency, including through the shift to outpatient care. It also focuses on strengthening the health system’s resilience, including in the areas of health workers and medical products, and improving access to health services.

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DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the specific context of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for Romania component 3.2 “Increasing capacity for health management and human resources in health”, and as part of the WHO RRP Project Management team, the purpose of this post is to provide administrative support, and timely and efficient delivery of its operations. The incumbent perform a variety of secretarial, coordinating, monitoring and administrative services, as part of the WHO RRP project in Romania. Specific duties in support of the RPP project:

• Drafts project-related correspondence and documents in consultation with the Administrative Officer, Head of Office and the project team members. On own initiative drafts routine correspondence, and upon instructions and guidance, drafts correspondence of a non-routine character; finalizes correspondence/reports for signature; analyzes incoming correspondence and requests, researching, obtaining and attaching background information where required, or redirecting them as appropriate, drawing the attention of the supervisor or other senior staff concerned to urgent items and deadlines. Revises unit correspondence, reports, and documents for proper form and (non-technical) content. Takes notes at meetings. Acts as informal interpreter/translator when required.

• Monitors implementation and alerts supervisor on issues of compliance with work plans, financial rules and regulations and award agreements. 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.

• As part of RRP project Team, supports the Administrative Officer in ROM and AO CPS/RO with the project financial implementation by executing the necessary actions / end-to-end transactions in support of a smooth project delivery. Maintains financial records for the project financial implementation; supports the preparation of financial reports in compliance with the donor requirements; completes cash/advance reconciliations.

• Within the scope of RRP implementation, provides support in monitoring the financial implementation and utilization of the project resources (planned vs utilized, eligibility of costs, reviewing certificates of expenditure, monitoring budget categories, etc.) and reporting deadlines in accordance with the donors' specific reporting schedules and requirements. Assembles draft background for planning, monitoring and evaluation exercises.

• 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.

• Provides administrative and logistical assistance in the context of the organization of meetings (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.

• 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 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. Relevant experience 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. Desirable: Demonstrated financial/accounting skills.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of Romanian. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 RON 82,461 (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.