Technical Assistant

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-6 contracts.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme envisions a region where all health-related policies, decisions on healthcare development and implementation, and innovations are informed by best available evidence from

verifiable knowledge, research and reliable information. The programme’s mission is to strengthen the capacity of Member States to improve availability, quality and use of evidence from reliable information, research and other sources of knowledge, and to enhance effective innovations toward Universal Health Coverage and health related Sustainable Development Goals.

Managed within the Department of Science, Information and Dissemination (SID), the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (EMHJ) is the flagship publication of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Its mission is to contribute to improving health in the Region by publishing and publicising quality, peer-reviewed health research and information with emphasis on public health and relevance to the Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Maintain updated EMHJ records and contact lists (Editorial Board and International Advisory Board members, reviewers, corresponding authors, etc.) and ensures an effective EMHJ filing system is in place.

2. Compose, draft and prepare correspondence in English and Arabic, on own initiative or from instructions, for signature of the Editor-in-Chief, Director of SID, or as instructed by Director of SID.

3. Periodically extract, compile, organize and summarize publication data about articles received, rejected, accepted / published, according to countries / topics of research, for using the data in preparation of reports / presentations by the Editor in Chief and Director of SID.

4. Train new staff on the administrative processes, practices and procedures of WHO and EMHJ

5. EMHJ publication management:

a. Create, maintain, update and monitor the schedule for processing a manuscript submitted for publication.

b. Liaise with authors on development and revision stages of their research articles, including through Editorial Manager.

c. Coordinate / analyse pre-press, printing and distribution costs.

d. Liaise with the desk-top publishing professionals, procurement staff and printers for timely printing of issues.

e. Prepare contracts for freelance editors in accordance with WHO compliance requirements, and monitors budget expenditure.

f. Perform initial proofreading of laid-out papers for completeness of required information, accuracy and Journal style.

g. Collaborate with French and Arabic editors for preparation of abstracts and titles for translation between the three working languages of the Journal, ensuring timely flow.

6. EMHJ Website:

a. Prepare HTML files for online publishing.

b. Act as liaison between the editorial staff and web team to regularly update and amend the EMHJ website.

c. Oversee and ensure uploading the documents and information on the website.

d. Periodically review EMHJ webpages and EMHJ entries in PubMed to ensure consistency and completeness;

e. Manage input and tracking of contents on the website and related metrics.

7. EMHJ Editorial Board:

a. Coordinate administrative work related to the EMHJ editorial board

b. Take a lead role in the organization of the EMHJ editorial board meetings, which includes supervision of preparing invitations, travel itineraries, raising travel requests and travel claims in GSM, finalizing documentation, logistic preparations (venue, hotel accommodation, catering), and effect payments to participants and submitting related financial report.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Completion of secondary education supplemented by experience or training in a related field. Desirable: University degree in business administration, social sciences or related field is an asset.

Experience

Essential: At least 8 years’ experience in administrative management of scientific journals or publishing in an international organization. Desirable: Relevant experience in the UN system

Skills

- Good knowledge of WHO rules, manuals, practices/procedures and routines applicable to the secretarial/administrative level of EMHJ.

- Good filing and organizational skills, as pertains to scientific Journals.

- Ability to translate routine correspondence (Arabic – English).

- Producing and delivering quality results in pressing situations, deadlines and conflicting priorities

- Familiarity with appropriate software programs for EMHJ operations, including Editorial Manager software and Adobe Acrobat

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork 2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences 3. Communication 4. Producing results 5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic. Knowledge of French is an asset.

Other Considerations (e.g. Physical Workplace Condition, if other than normal office environment; IT Skills; etc.) - Very good knowledge of Microsoft applications.

- Knowledge of GSM/Oracle applications;

- Experience in use of InDesign graphics software, working with XTML files and CrossRef software is an asset.

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 EGP 382,874 (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.
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that: 1 -Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated. 2- All required details regarding your qualifications, education, training and experience are provided under relevant sections. 3- Your experience records are properly entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

• Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/enhanced-who-global-competency-model

• 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.