Programme Assistant

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, prioritizing 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 objective of the Division of Information, Evidence, Research and Innovation, DIR is to facilitate evidence production as a corporate function at the service of the Organization. DIR provides Member States and WHO/Europe staff with reliable evidence derived from health information, knowledge and evidence on topics, which are of interest both for Member States and the Organization. This is done in the context of the European Health Information Initiative (EHII) and its six key areas, which is the umbrella for all health information activities in the Region. DIR manages the programmatic knowledge about information in the WHO/Europe office, including databases as well as knowledge and evidence platforms, in order to position WHO/Europe as a leading reference in the field. It coordinates the health information and health system information both at WHO/Europe level with all relevant Units and with WHO Country Offices and collaborates closely with national and international partners. DIR leads the work on the measurement of, and target setting for, well-being which includes determinants of health in the overall context of the Health 2020 policy. DIR facilitates this function through databases, publications, professional networks, research and evidence services and knowledge and evidence platforms and web-portals. This includes also the translation, publication and dissemination of information by various means. DIR has links with the Strategic Relations with Countries unit in order to facilitate the flow of information from and to countries. It closely links information, knowledge and evidence to the field of health research.

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. WHO helps the country to improve its health system and provides technical support as necessary. The WHO country office administers, consolidates, manages and enhances WHO collaboration in the country including all resources deployed in the country either permanently or temporarily to maximize WHO impact. The Country Office has a representational, fund-raising and resource steering function, as needed.

The main objective of the Health Information Systems Strengthening project is (1) Coordination and consolidation of the MoH's capacity for strategic health information management; (2) Assessment of strengths and weaknesses in the information system for health; (3) Supporting the monitoring and development of indicators; (4) Strengthening data collection, data management, data quality; (5) Fostering MOH's exchange of technical experience with other countries, and capacity to meet international reporting obligations and participation in international networks, including the European Health Information Initiative, EHII and CARINFONET; (6) Promoting the systematic and transparent use of health information in policy and practice; (7) Monitoring and evaluating activities related to developing an integrated health information system. The incumbent is expected to contribute to strengthening capacity of the MoH and other stakeholders in Uzbekistan in developing and improving health information systems, information management, and supporting data analysis, reporting and dissemination activities are using appropriate tools and methods.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

As part of a unit team, the incumbent performs a variety of secretarial, coordinating, monitoring and administrative services in support of project/programme activities, 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. Intermediate knowledge of Russian. Intermediate knowledge of Uzbek.
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 13,574 (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 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.