Programme Support Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations Public Health Organization established in 1948. The objective of the World Health Organization shall be the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
World Health Organization achieves its goals by performing its essential functions:
1. Take a leadership role in key health issues and create partnerships when joint action is needed;
2. Set research priorities and encourage the acquisition, application and dissemination of useful knowledge;
3. Setting standards and criteria and encouraging and monitoring them;
4. Develop ethical and evidence-based policies
5. Provide technical support, be an agent of change and build institutional capacity in a sustainable way;
6. Monitor health status and assess health trends.

Context

The WHO AFRO’s Regional Director’s Office (RDO) supports the Regional Director in the efficient delivery of his/her mandate and in the provision of effective leadership and coordination of the work of WHO in the African Region, including partnerships and collaboration with countries, the UN system, international organizations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and other stakeholders. The Office co-ordinates the Regional Director’s engagement and collaboration with Member States, the African Union Commission, the UN system, development partners, donors and other stakeholders. It is also responsible for coordinating the preparation of policy, technical and managerial briefs on relevant health matters to facilitate the decisions of the Regional Director and it assists in monitoring compliance in the implementation of specific executive decisions and recommendations. The Office oversees the work of the Regional Office, Country Offices and Inter-Country Support Teams in the WHO African Region and the work of the WHO Secretariat with the Member States.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Office of the Regional Director, and with guidance of the Regional Director, the incumbent:
– provides technical and administrative support towards the effective execution of the functions and responsibilities of the office of the Regional Director.
– supports coordination and organization of critical events and meetings (WHA, RC, UGNA etc).
– ensures adherence to established WHO guidelines for preparation of correspondences prior to submitting for signature and clearance.
– analyses and triages event/programme specific incoming correspondences and requests, ensures these are handled expeditiously in the light of background material, instructions, policies and Sensitivity.
– researches, obtains and attaches necessary background information in anticipation of the responsible officer’s needs, or redirecting as appropriate
– uses appropriate tracking tools, monitors and follows-up to ensure that deadlines for responses are met, and that responses to correspondence and queries are executed in a timely manner.
– performs other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.