Team Assistant (Secretary)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

TheDivision of Country Health Policies and Systems(CPS) assists countries in the Regionwith the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systemsto strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven,evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy development andimplementation at national, regional and local levels, taking an inclusiveapproach across the life course. The Division advocates strengthening of publichealth leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred,promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economicdeterminants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights andgender mainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacity for healthsystems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary healthand community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mentalhealth, public health and social care services. To do so, CPS supports countryefforts to facilitate access so as to leave nobody behind, to improve financialprotection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access toaffordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake andimplementation of digital technology.The mental health flagship initiative will work with unitsand divisions across the Regional Office to address mental health conditionswhich are a leading cause of suffering and disability in theEuropean Region. Priority areas to be addressed at regional level include themental health fall-out of the COVID-19 crisis, a surge of diseases of despair,the persistent prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders among youngpeople, the growth of self-harm and suicide, and the unmet needs of people withdementia or autism spectrum disorder, the mental and psycho-social supportneeds of health workers, the need for supporting the resilience of communitiesaffected by conflict. The Mental Health coalition which will be developed andanchored through this flagship initiative will raise awareness to combat stigmaand discrimination, advocate for investment in mental health and promote mentalhealth research. At country level the emphasis will be on support for servicestransformation. This will require working with and through clinicians involvedin the delivery of mental health services as well as partnering with serviceuser organizations. Key areas of activity will include; support for preventionof mental illness.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

As part of theProject Team, to perform a variety of secretarial and administrative servicesin the support of the EU project: “Social inclusion of persons with mental disabilities”in Turkey.Key duties: Draftscorrespondence and documents based on written/verbal prompts from theprofessional staff of the unit. Composes and finalizes correspondence ofadministrative nature. Provides rough translation or synopsis of incoming mail.Takes notes at meetings. Types reports and other documentation.Assistswith the administrative preparation and conduct of regional meetings andeducational activities, in accordance with established procedures.Makestravel arrangements for duty travels and, in accordance with establishedprocedures, prepares approval memoranda, travel authorizations and follows upon issue of duty travel reports.Preparescorrespondence for the recruitment of consultants and temporary advisers;arranges briefing appointments and provides secretarial support for them whilein EURO; processes agreements for performance of work and other types ofcontractual arrangements as required and related correspondence follows up ondeadlines of such agreements/contracts and prepares payment instructions.Initiatesaction to process or follow up on correspondence, documentation and forms.Creates background files and compiles reference material as appropriate.Accesses and retrieves information from relevant databases and updates asrequired.Respondsto and acts on telephone enquiries and requests for information. Assesses thecritical nature of technical enquiries and refers them to appropriate staff forreply. Coordinates appointments for supervisor(s) and organizes programmes forvisitors.Providesbriefing and guidance to staff at all levels in the unit/programme on officepractices and procedures; liaises with, assists or replaces other secretariesand/or programme assistants in the unit or department should the need arise.8. Performsother related duties as required.

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 3 years of progressively responsible experience in thesecretarial/administrative field.
Desirable: Experience in an international environment or institution.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.Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helpingothers to do the same.Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Turkish.
Desirable:

REMUNERATION

WHO offers staff in the General Services category an attractive remuneration package, which for the above position includes an annual net base salary starting at USD 18,436 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.

• 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• 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.

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• 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 shws@who.int.

• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.

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