Programme Assistant (Roster)

Please note this vacancy may be used to fill a number of positions at same grade at the WHO Country Office, Moldova

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 (BCA) 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 EU4Moldova: Facility to support the health response to the COVID-crisis project aims at achieving tangible results for the benefit of people in the Republic of Moldova by supporting to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Moldova and contributing towards longer-term resilience of its health system. The project is characterised by two specific objectives (SO), namely:

1/. SO 1: Strengthening the national capacity to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency;

2/. SO 2: Strengthening the management of essential health services delivery and their resilience.

The project commencement date was 16 December 2020 with duration of 40 months and a designated project implementation team at country project.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the EU4Moldova: Facility to support the health response to the COVID-crisis project to perform a variety of secretarial, coordinating, monitoring and administrative services, as part of the WHO Country Office team in Republic of Moldova. The incumbent performs the following duties:

1. Drafts project-related correspondence and documents in consultation with the Head of Office and the project team members. Independently composes and finalizes correspondence of administrative nature. Revises correspondence, reports, and documents for proper form and (non-technical) content. Takes notes at meetings. Acts as informal interpreter/translator when required.
2. Supports the Head of the Office and project team with the project financial implementation by executing the necessary actions / end-to-end transactions in support of a smooth project delivery. Maintains financial records for the project financial implementation; support the preparation of financial reports in compliance with the donor requirements; completes cash/advance reconciliations; manages the Country Office e-Imprest account and petty cash.
3. Monitors and reviews the financial implementation and utilisation of the project resources (planned vs utilized, eligibility of costs, reviewing certificates of expenditure, monitoring budget categories, etc.) and reporting deadlines in accordance with the donors' specific reporting schedules and requirements. Assembles draft background for planning, monitoring and evaluation exercises.
4. Makes administrative arrangements for country and intercountry activities related to the project implementation with regard to preparation of standard contracts (APW, DFC, etc.) as per the established EURO guidelines, recruitment of consultants and temporary advisers, and arrangements of events, study tours and duty travel in accordance with the approved project plans.
5. Assists in the organization of meetings held in-the country (working groups, seminars/courses, workshops, and symposia), i.e.: makes general administrative preparations, including organization of practical local arrangements and advance transport of documents/equipment; arranges hospitality as appropriate. Provides administrative and secretarial support during the meetings. Prepares reports to ensure all activities are well documented as well as administrative reports.
6. Establishes and maintains the filing system of technical documents and correspondence. Creates background files and compiles reference material as appropriate. Establishes and updates a proper computerized information system on on-going collaboration, counterparts, inter-related activities of other international or national partners. Accesses and retrieves information from relevant databases and updates as required.
7. 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: Equivalent to graduation from secondary school or equivalent technical orcommercial school.
Desirable: Relevant higher education degree.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the administrative/financial field.
Desirable: Experience within UN and/or WHO.

Skills

Administrative/finance training, or equivalent work-related experience, including proven skills in standard office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and note taking. Basic training in accounting principles. Work with computerized systems and databases.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of Local Language.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Russian.

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 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 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.
• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.
• Applications from women are particularly encouraged.