Programme Assistant

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

All the MemberStates of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highestattainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actionsare based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity andparticipation. As set in the Twelfth General Programme of Work (GPW14), WHO directsand coordinates international health by:

• Providing leadership on matterscritical to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action isneeded;
• Shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation,translation. WHO’s mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providingleadership on global health matters; shaping the health research agenda;
• setting norms and standards;
• articulating evidence-based policyoptions;
• providing technical support to countries; and
• monitoring andassessing health trends. The European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up to 53countries, with over 880 million people.

The diversity of people and healthsituations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emergingsocio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at bothaggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity todisadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supplyside, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalitiesand divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economyunder which they have evolved and operate. The mission of the WHO RegionalOffice for Europe is to support Member States in:

• developing and sustainingtheir own health policies, health systems and public health programmes;
• working to prevent and overcome threats to health;
• anticipating future challenges;and
• advocating public health.

The WHO Country Office supports the MemberState to shape its health policy in line with WHO’s principles and values andadvocates for an integrated approach to health development. By means of asingle, unified and functionally integrated country representation, WHOfacilitates the implementation of the BCA with the Member State and itscorresponding country work plan. WHO helps the country to improve its healthsystem and provides technical support as necessary. The WHO Country Officeadministers, consolidates, manages and enhances WHO collaboration in thecountry including all resources deployed in the country either permanently ortemporarily to maximize WHO impact. The Country Office also has a representational,fund-raising and resource steering function, as needed. The mission of the WHOHealth Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to help countries, and to coordinateinternational action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, andrecover from outbreaks and emergencies. Within WHE, Country Health EmergencyPreparedness & IHR (CPI) unit is responsible for monitoring and evaluationof countries’ preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, theplanning and country capacity building for critical capacities and theSecretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005). In 2023, WHO COKazakhstan has received a grant from the Pandemic Fund aiming at increasing IHRcore capacities in order to bebetter prepared for future pandemics. The implementation will be conducted byWHO CO Kazakhstan, jointly with national health authorities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

As part of a unit team,the incumbent provides support in the day-to-day programme, financial andadministrative functions in the support of a project/programme or a technicalunit.

Keyduties:

On own initiative draft routine correspondence, andupon instructions and guidance draft correspondence of a non-routine character;finalize correspondence/reports for signature; analyze incoming correspondenceand requests, researching, obtaining and attaching background information whererequired, or redirecting them as appropriate, drawing the attention of thesupervisor 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 onissues of compliance with work plans, financial rules and regulations and awardagreements. Assembles draft backgroundfor planning, monitoring and evaluation exercises. Inputs duty travelrecommendations and issues reminders re follow up, records project/programmemonitoring and evaluation notes.Makes administrative arrangements for country andinter country activities including preparation of various committal documentsrelated to procurement of goods and services, arrangements of study tours andduty travel in accordance with the approved programme budget/collaborativeprogrammes with countries.Provide administrative and logistical assistance,including procurement, in the context of the organization of meetings (workinggroups, seminars/courses, workshops, and symposia), i.e.: makes administrativepreparations, including organization of practical local arrangements, advancetransport of documents/equipment and hospitality. Provides administrative andsecretarial support during the meetings and pays per diem to participants ifrequired. Prepares administrative reports.Establishes and maintains the unit’s filing systemof technical documents and correspondence.Creates background files and compiles reference material as appropriate.Accesses and retrieves information from relevant databases and updates asrequired. Responds to and acts on telephone enquiries.Assesses the critical nature of technical enquiries and refers them toappropriate staff for reply. Coordinates appointments for supervisor andorganizes programmes for visitors.Provides briefing and guidance to all staff ongeneral office practices and procedures; assists/replaces colleagues in theteam; takes minutes in meetings. Perform other related duties as required orinstructed, 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 fieldrelevant to the position.

Experience

• Essential: At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in thesecretarial/administrative field.
• Desirable: Experience in an international environment orinstitution. Relevant experience in WHO or in the UN.

Skills

• Proficiency in the use of standard office computer software, note takingand operation of computerized systems and databases.Sound interpersonal skills and flexibility. Ability to adaptto competing priorities. Ability to work in a fast-pacedenvironment. Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify andmanage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

Use of Language Skills

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

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2403505&tz=GMT%2B05%3A30&tzname=Asia%2FCalcutta