National Professional Officer

The Budget and Finance Unit is responsible for carrying out finance and accounts functions and provides support to all technical divisions on financial and planning aspects of their collaborative programmes. WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving the financial protection against health-related risks. The Country Office contributes to providing technical support in developing national policies, strategies and activities in the area of health systems strengthening including, (i) advocating for Universal Health Coverage and building up national capacity in UHC-related matters (ii) facilitating the adoption of evidence-based public health interventions as well as appropriate reforms/changes with a view to promote equity and accelerate the movement towards universal health coverage. Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO: All the Member States of WHO South-East Asia Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work (2019-2025) is structured around three interconnected strategic priorities to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages: achieving universal health coverage, addressing health emergencies and promoting healthier populations. WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (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 South-East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.9 billion people, with India’s population of 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste) share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage; (ii) health related sustainable development goals; (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities; (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005); (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products; (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health. Mission of the WHO Country Office for India: Within the framework of WHO’s Country Cooperation Strategy, the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in: (i) developing and sustaining its own health policies, health systems and public health programmes; (ii) working to prevent and overcome threats to health; (iii) anticipating future challenges; and (iv) advocating public health.

Duties: 

Under the overall guidance of the Administrative Officer, and the direct supervision of the National Professional Officer (Administrative Support), the incumbent will be required to perform the following responsibilities:

Advisory responsibilities:

• Responsible for preparation and maintenance of a standard operating procedure for WCO India Office of all Budget and Finance operations regarding the Delegation of Authority.
• Provides guidance to staff on correct application of financial rules and regulations.
• Maintains coordination with the Planning Unit, Technical Units, Administrative Units, and Regional Budget and Finance Officers – Field Operations- with respect to the above.
• Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to the mandates of the WCO India Office, ensuring compliance with decisions regarding Budget and Finance policies and procedures.
• Plans and organizes the work of the BFU unit through identifying priorities, allocating tasks; evaluate performance of staff and ensure their strict adherence to procedures.

Budget Administration:

• Acts as certifying officer under applicable financial rules to ensure that proposed obligations and expenditures are in accordance with approved budgets and established regulations and rules, working in close cooperation with the Team Lead (BFU) and senior management.
• Issues allotments, authorizes sub-allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures.
• Manages and monitors budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary.
• Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels.
• Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
• Prepares budget performance submissions.
• Reviews and finalizes budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Provides substantive support to relevant technical and administrative units.

General:

• Provides advice and guidance, including training, to WCO Delhi personnel and field staff on budgetary and financial policies and procedures, including results-based budgeting.
• Participates in meetings and/or audit reviews on matters related to resource requirements, programming and budgetary issues.
• Drafts reports for BFU and for management on budgetary issues, and correspondence.
• Drafts official documentation to stakeholders concerning Budget and Finance operations.
• Undertakes research and analysis of budgetary policies and procedures, makes recommendations for changes and/or modifications.
• Ensures the integrity of financial and management systems and the controls that underpin them.
• Act as focal point in computer systems application in the finance subunit and recommend improvements/enhancement to the system.
• Incumbent may be asked to perform other related duties.
• Achievements activities include: Improve turn-around time, quality and timely response by the unit. Improve customer awareness/service. Prepare timely/relevant data and financial reports to feed into management information system.

Required Qualifications:

Education

Essential:

• University degree with specialization in accountancy, business administration and public finance.

Experience:

Essential:

• At least two (2) years of proven experience in the area of budget, finance and accounting.

Skills:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of WHO’s administrative and financial rules and procedures.
• Comprehensive knowledge of accounting, budgetary and financial management principles and their application.
• Good administrative knowledge of the functioning of government departments/ministries.
• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in a team atmosphere and liaise with the WHO team and national program managers, as necessary.
• Modern management skills (planning and evaluation, etc.)
• Capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way. Ability to speak and write clearly.
• Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports. Knowledge of WHO/UN agencies policies, procedures and practices will be an advantage.

Language Skills:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Hindi.

Source:  https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402015