Senior Operations Officer (CPCP) – P5  

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To ensure that effective WHO country presence is established to implement WHO country cooperation strategies that are aligned with Member State’s health and development agendas, and harmonized with the United Nations country teams.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.

1- Provide authoritative advice to the head of the WHO country office and other staff at the country office, field offices and projects on all aspects of country office operations, interpreting policies, systems and procedures and ensuring compliance.

2- Lead, empower, and manage staff and operations teams in delivering the full range of services in budget and finance, human resources, procurement, information and communication technologies, security and staff safety, and general administration, in compliance with organizational policies, regulations and procedures.

3- Provide appropriate solutions grounded in sound policy compliance and creative responsiveness to business needs. As a key member of the management team, provide strategic advice on the overall direction of the WHO country office.

4- Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management including proper planning and monitoring of income and expenditures; reconciliation and reporting of accounts, budget preparation and management, and optimal award and cash management.

5- Guide in the formulation, negotiation, and consultation of project proposals funded by external agencies; ensuring their adherence to the Organization’s administrative and financial rules and regulations

6-Advise the head of the country office on and oversee the formulation and implementation of the country office Human Resources (HR) plans, ensuring the timely availability through recruitment and contract management, engagement, retention, performance management, development, career management, gender balance and diversity of a suitable human resource capability.

7-Guide in the planning process with focus on administrative/budgetary related policies and procedures and be responsible for management and implementation of WHO country office workplans, including reporting as required.

8- Lead on the procurement of goods and services required for management of country office and support to technical programs, ensuring best value for money in procurement practices

9- Ensure the provision of office and staff security and safety services in coordination with designated security officials under UN Common services’ agreements.

10- In emergency settings, plan, recommend and implement systems, norms and procedures, in compliance with existing policies and standard operating procedures, for the administration monitoring, control and evaluation of human, financial and material resources processes within the incident management system.

11- Advise the WHO country office on internal operational and administrative risks to the country office and propose risk mitigation measures.

12- Introduce innovations for improved efficiencies and effectiveness in WHO country office performance in operations, responsive to emergency situations and changes in the operating environment.

13- Coordinate with the Business Operations network to harmonize business processes, workflows, standards, business continuity planning and technical requirements.

14- Represent the WHO country office and participate actively in the UN operations management team and other Inter-Agency coordinating Mechanisms, sharing relevant information with colleagues and ensuring implementation of decisions taken by the heads of the agencies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (master’s) in finance, management, accountancy, economics, or business administration or equivalent areas.
Desirable: A university degree (bachelor’s) or training or certification in human resources, accounting, finance, monitoring and evaluation.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of ten years of work experience relevant for the position (delivering administrative and managerial services, ensuring compliance with complex rules and procedures in both national and international settings). A minimum of four years of experience in managing and leading staff/teams.
Desirable: Relevant experience with WHO, United Nations funds and programmes, or equivalent organizations. Experience delivering operational services in a developing country. Experience managing operations and large teams in an emergency context. Good knowledge of programme management and end-to-end business processes. Good knowledge of enterprise resource planning systems.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of administrative, financial and management principles, procedures, and policies of large international public-sector organizations
• Expertise in the principles and practices of administration, programme and project management.
• High-level managerial and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse financial data and develop related business strategies or and policies.
• Provide recommendations on key administrative issues.
• Ability to lead, direct and manage an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to represent the organization, build alliances, and negotiate with government, UN agencies and other development partners.
•  Ability to cultivate partnerships and maintain excellent interpersonal working relations.
•  Ability to work with competing priorities under pressure.

WHO Competencies

WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Expert knowledge of French. Expert knowledge of Arabic .

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 92,731 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2658 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected]
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position:

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost).
• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support.
• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
  • Let us know by writing to [email protected]. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility.
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here : Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.