Programme Assistant - (2603601)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO's work in countries operationalizes theGeneral Programme of Work (GPW14) and the European Programme of Work2025-2029 (EPW2). GPW14 focuses on accelerating progress toward Health forAll by strengthening systems for health, improving access to essentialservices, advancing preparedness and resilience, and reducing healthinequalities. EPW2, endorsed at RC75 following extensive consultation withMember States, reaffirms WHO/Europe's role in bringing unique value tocountries through five core functions: International knowledge hub for health - providing authoritative evidence, norms, policies and best practices from across the Region and globally to inform national public health decision-making. Impartial coordinator for everyone's health - convening national stakeholders and partners to align strategies and support coherent, multisectoral responses to shared health challenges. Leader in tracking and managing cross-border health threats - supporting surveillance, preparedness, and coordinated action on public health emergencies in line with the Preparedness 2.0 agenda. Driver of health system transformation - advising national authorities on evidence-informed reforms and policies that strengthen health systems and improve performance. Voice for health equity - helping countries identify who is being left behind and integrating equity considerations into health policies and strategies.In this context, WHO Country Offices enable the translation of global andregional commitments into national action. They support Member States byproviding strategic advice, convening dialogue across sectors and partners,connecting national authorities with WHO's technical expertise, andfacilitating the use of evidence and best practices to inform policy. The Headof WHO Country Office acts as a trusted advisor to the Ministry of Health andother national counterparts, fostering constructive collaboration and ensuringthat WHO's knowledge, standards and guidance contribute effectively to nationalhealth priorities and to broader regional and global health goals.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will provide support in theday-to-day programme, financial, human resources related and administrativefunctions for a project/programme or technical unit of the Country OfficeSupport Unit.Key duties: The incumbent will perform all or part of thefollowing, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of theoffice: Provide administrative support across a range ofprogramme support activities.FinancialReview obligating documents and undertakereconciliations, as required.Process transactions in the enterprise resourceplanning system and follow up with concerned parties on the receipt ofdeliverables and finalization of payments.Support in monitoring aspects of the implementationof country activities, such as, funds for project/programme budget andfinancial expenditures, according to the approved country work plan, drawingthe attention of the supervisor to problems, inconsistencies, and delays.Brief staff at all levels on budget, financial,administrative, human resources and other procedures and practices.AdministrativeProvide input to the immediate supervisor onaspects of planning, resource allocation and human resources management of theprogrammes and projects.Assist with human resources administrative tasks,including monitoring staff contracts, maintaining, and updating thedepartmental human resources plan accordingly and acting as leaveadministrator.Coordinate the smooth running of administrativefunctions, including maintaining an up-to-date status of the office space andacting as the office space focal point for the department.Analyze incoming correspondence and requests,researching and providing background information as required.Draft correspondence on own initiative or based oninstructions and finalize correspondence/reports for signature.Maintain the unit's filing system of technicaldocuments and correspondence.Provide support on all administrative and logisticspreparations required for the organization of meetings and staff travel.Support colleagues on general administrativeprocesses and assist/backstop administrative staff in the team.
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Completion of secondary education with equivalent administrative certification or training.
Desirable: University degree in business administration, social sciences, or related field. Training in the administrative systems of a United Nations agency, fund or programme.
 

Experience

Essential: Minimum of five years of work experience relevant to the position (in the secretarial/administrative field).
Desirable: Relevant administrative and financial experience in WHO or in the United Nations system (UN). Experience in Oracle-based or other enterprise resource planning systems
 

Skills

Knowledge of administrative and financial support procedures and practices, rules and regulations. • Skills to write/draft routine and non-routine correspondence and reports using proper grammar, punctuation and style. • Skills to maintain effective client relationships. • Ability to perform basic financial accounting operations • Ability to use standard office computer software, take notes and operate computerized systems and databases. • Ability to undertake simple research and organize information for the preparation of reports briefings and filing.
 

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. Expert knowledge of Local Language.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Russian, 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 USD 20,395 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• 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 eManual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.

• 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• 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.

• In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates