Project Assistant, CO MDA

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the General Programme of Work. The 13th General Programme of Work defines the mission of WHO as one to promote health, to keep the world safe, and to protect the vulnerable. The GPW calls for heightened accountability, prioritising impact and outcome at country level, and to improve the lives of three billion people, through universal health coverage, through addressing health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations.WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (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 European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries is carried out.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. This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding work plan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures a two way flow of information exchange between the country and WHO. The overall objective of the EU COVID-19 Solidarity Programme for the Eastern Partnership project is to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in the EaP countries thus contributing to their longer-term social and economic resilience. The action will support the partner countries in their fight against the virus and address better the needs of the most vulnerable people.

Its objective will be achieved through the:

1) mobilisation of an effective, rapid, and coordinated response to COVID-19,

2) strengthening of the national capacity to effectively prevent, prepare for, detect and respond to public health emergencies. The project commencement date was 27 March 2020 with initial duration of 2 years (until 27 March 2022).The project has a designated project management team at regional level and country project teams in each of the 6 EaP counties (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine).

The Division of Country Support and Emergencies aims to Improve health and wellbeing in Member States by supporting the efforts of countries and communities to improve their core capacities to prevent, mitigate and respond to health emergencies including complex humanitarian emergencies, man-made and natural disasters and protracted emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the EU COVID-19 Solidarity Programme for the Eastern Partnership project, the incumbent performs a variety of secretarial, coordinating, monitoring and administrative services, as part of the WHO Country Office team, as follows:

1. Drafts correspondence and documents based on written/verbal prompts from the Professional staff of the unit. Independently composes and finalizes correspondence of administrative nature. Revises unit correspondence, reports, and documents for proper form and (non-technical) content. Takes notes at meetings. Types reports and other documentation. Arranges duty travel.

2. Scans, records, refers and follows up correspondence and documents, evaluates the urgency or critical nature of items, and brings them to the attention of the responsible staff. Informs and reminds responsible staff of follow-up dates and deadlines for response or specific actions, supplying supporting material as appropriate.

3. Using GSM, monitors aspects of the implementation of activities and availability of funds for project/programme budget levels and financial expenditures, according to the approved projects. 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.

4. 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.

5. Assists in the organization of meetings held in-house or in Member States (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.

6. 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.

7. 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.8. Provides briefing and guidance to all staff on general office practices and procedures; assists/replaces colleagues in the team and performs other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Completion of secondary school or equivalent.
Desirable: Relevant higher education from an accredited institution.

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.

Skills

Proficiency in the use of standard office computer software, note taking and operation of computerized systems and databases.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Knowing and managing yourself
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of local language.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian or German.

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 MDL 193,609 (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 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.

• 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.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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