Programme Assistant

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 centered, 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 WHO country office works with the National 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 Work2020-2025 -“United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries inmeeting citizens’ expectations about health. 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 endeavor; 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 national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

As part of a unit team, the incumbent provides support in the day-to-day programme, financial and administrative functions in the support of a project/ programme or a technical unit. Reporting to and under supervision of the responsible Officer and in collaboration with other support staff of the Division the incumbent provides support functions in programme, financial, and administrative related areas.

Key duties:

• On own initiative draft routine correspondence, and upon instructions and guidance draft correspondence of a non-routine character; finalize correspondence/reports for signature; analyze 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.
• Monitor implementation and alert 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.
• Makes administrative arrangements for country and inter country activities including preparation of various committal documents related to procurement of goods and services, arrangements of study tours and duty travel in accordance with the approved programme budget/collaborative programmes with countries.
• Provide administrative and logistical assistance in the context of the organization of meetings (working groups, seminars/courses, workshops, and symposia), i.e.: makes administrative preparations, including organization of practical local arrangements, advance transport of documents/equipment and hospitality.
• Provides administrative and secretarial support during the meetings and pays per diem to participants if required.
• Prepares administrative reports.
• 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 on general office practices and procedures; assists/replaces colleagues in the team; takes minutes in meetings.
• Perform other related duties as required or instructed, including providing support to other areas of work as assigned.

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.

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Local Language.
• Desirable: Expert knowledge of Russian.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2403443&tz=GMT%2B05%3A30&tzname=Asia%2FCalcutta