Programme Associate

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region (ACE) based in Seoul, Republic of Korea was established with a mission to function as a ‘Centre for technical and scientific excellence' in contributing to the development of healthier and safer environments and strengthened community resilience to climate and environmental change for health and health equity for all people of the WHO Western Pacific Region. Therefore, the Centre's objectives are to:

• Strengthen the scientific information and evidence for policy making on existing and emerging climate and environmental determinants of health
• Assist Member States in developing and implementing policies to protect and promote health and well-being
• Support Member States in developing and strengthening technical capacities and programmes in climate change, environment and health

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent reports to the Programme Management Officer with guidance from the Head of Office, WHO Asia Pacific Centre for Environment and Health.

The Assistant will be responsible for supporting the staff of ACE on administrative issues related to programming and finance through the use of the WHO Global Management System (GSM) and contributor Engagement Management (CEM).

The incumbent is expected to perform general tasks following the established practices and procedures independently. Specific instructions and guidance are provided by supervisor on difficult or complex issues. Guidelines can be obtained from relevant sections of the WHO eManual, WPR Programme Management Handbook, WPR Policies and Procedures Handbook, WPR Secretaries Handbook information circulars and administrative memoranda issued from time to time.

• Provide support and input on aspects of planning, resource allocation and human resources management of the programmes. Monitor the correct use of the WHO Financial Rules and Regulations by staff in their implementation of funds.
• Monitors and updates information relevant to programme budget flows in the GSM system and CEM or other on-line systems and alerting to upcoming shortfalls, updating files, and transferring funds as instructed; upon instruction clearance of obligating documents, checking them for completeness, and following up on missing elements as required.
• Assists in data collection from the GSM system or other on-line system to review, analysis and preparation of periodic internal and external reports as required.
• Monitor expenditures and alert supervisor on issues of compliance with work plans, financial rules and regulations and award agreements, drawing the attention of the supervisor or other senior staff concerned to urgent items and deadlines. Follow up on the mid-term reviews and the end of year of biennium closure of accounts exercise for the Department.
• Review contractual documents, earmarking funds, and verifying and clearing payment requests; prepare appropriate draft contracts for individuals or service providers such as APW's, and other contract modalities. Monitoring and keeping track of all contract extensions and renewal deadlines, checking, and ensuring that funds are available for the proposed contract and ensure that the renewal of contracts for staff are carried out in a timely fashion, maintaining, and updating the Departmental HR plan accordingly
• Monitors active encumbrances, open purchase orders (POs) and Interim Certified Financial Statement (ICFS) due and outstanding deliverables and follows up with administrative colleagues for ensuring compliance with deadlines
• Assists in the implementation of programme budget and workplan in conformity with the WHO financial rules and policies for the provision of short-term consultancies, procurements of goods and services, and others related.
• Provide administrative and logistical assistance in the context of the organization of meetings and take meeting minutes
• Perform other related duties as required or instructed, including providing support to other areas of work as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Equivalent to graduation from secondary school with thorough training in accounting, finance and general administration
Desirable: University degree related to finance and administration and training in enterprise resource planning (ERP)

Experience

Essential: At least five years of progressive experience in budgeting, financing, programme management or other relevant administrative work.
Desirable: Relevant working experience in UN agencies or international organizations is an asset. Training in Oracle-based or other ERP systems is an asset.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of programme management principles, compliance with rules and regulations, and office procedures.
• Ability to acquire quickly knowledge of WHO procedures, policies, rules and regulations particularly on programme budget preparation.
• Capacity to manage complex databases. Ability to draft correspondence, summaries and meeting reports concisely and accurately.
• Effective problem solving and analytical skills.
• Skills in the use of word processing packages, data processing equipment and spreadsheets are essential.
• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

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 KRW 60,906,000 (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 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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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.

• 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.

• 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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