Programme Assistant

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The WHO European Centre of Excellence for Quality of Care and Patient Safety (Athens Quality of Care Office/QoC) is technically guided by the Division of Country Policies and Systems (CPS): The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy developmentand implementation at national, regional and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course. The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights and gender mainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacity for health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mental health, public health and social care services. To do so, CPS supports country efforts to facilitate access so as to leave nobody behind, to improve financial protection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Aspart of a unit team, the incumbent provides support in the day-to-dayprogramme, financial and administrative functions in the support of a project/programme or a technical unit. Reporting to and under supervision of the responsible Officer and in collaboration with other support staff of the Division the incumbent provides support functions in programme, financial, and administrative related areas.

Key duties:

On own initiative drafts routine correspondence, and upon instructions and guidance draft correspondence of a non-routine character; finalizes correspondence/reports for signature; analyzes 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.

Monitors implementation and alert supervisor on issues of compliance with work plans, financial rules and regulations and award agreements.

Assembles draft backgroundfor planning, monitoring and evaluation exercises.

Inputs duty travel recommendations and issues reminders re follow up, records project/programmemonitoring and evaluation notes.

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/collaborativeprogrammes with countries.

Provides administrative and logistical assistance in the context of the organization of meetings (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.

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.

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.

Provides briefing and guidance to all staff on general office practices and procedures; assists/replaces colleagues in the team; takes minutes in meetings.

Performs 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 the secretarial/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 adapt to competing priorities. Ability to work in a fast-pacedenvironment. Emotional intelligence; Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well ashelping others to do the same.

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. Intermediate knowledge of Greek.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian and/or German.

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 EUR 29,643 (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, for fixed-term and temporary appointments, including full time and part time positions.

• 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 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.

• 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.