Associate

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The WHO office for Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau is part of the Western Pacific Region of the WHO. The country office is the centre of the Secretariat’s mechanism for delivering its technical cooperation. The goal of WHO’s country presence is to enable the entire organization to support the member states and areas in reaching its health goals and contributing to global and regional public health action.

The immediate strategic objective is to provide consistent, high-quality operational support services that facilitate the smooth functioning of the country office and its programme activities. This includes ensuring accurate processing of financial and contractual transactions, supporting procurement and human resource functions, and optimizing administrative processes in line with established procedures. By improving efficiency, compliance, and client service, the role contributes directly to strengthening WHO’s strategic and operational presence at the country level.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.

Advisory

1. Deliver services and transactions in the following specialized operational areas and subdisciplines (procurement, financial and human resources management).

2. Maintain consistency in approach and compliance with the respective procedures, rules and regulations in the delivery of services and transactions.

Administration

3. Deliver the relevant processes and standard transactions, services and work products, in alignment with business plans and adherence to rules, regulations, and procedures.

4. Provides administrative support to organize meetings, workshops and training courses, including related preparation of files, materials and logistics.

5. Identify areas in which processes and procedures can be improved to deliver optimal client service, efficiency and effectiveness.

    a. Financial support services:

• Review contractual and financial documents under Direct Financial Cooperation (DFC) and Direct Implementation (DI) modalities, and verifying, processing, and clearing payment requests; prepare draft contractual instruments for individuals and service providers, such as APWs and other applicable contract modalities.

      b. Human Resources support service:

• Support the administration of the Human Resources plan and the delivery of HR support services including the following sub-disciplines: contract management; staff recruitment, selection, onboarding and briefing of new staff.

      c. Procurement support services:

• Assist in procurement of goods/ services including support to purchase requisitions, administering tender/ bidding process and supporting supplier management through to completion of payments and management of encumbrances.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Completion of secondary education.
Desirable: Training and/or certification in one or more UN operational service areas or systems or a university degree (bachelor’s level) in Finance, Accounting, or Administration or other similar fields.
 

Experience

Essential: A minimum of five years relevant work experience in administrative support services and transactions, including experience in finance, human resources, and/or procurement.
Desirable: Experience in administrative support positions within WHO or another United Nations agency.
 

Skills

• Knowledge of WHO’s support procedures, and practices in one or more of the following specialized operations’ support disciplines: financial support services, human resources, and procurement.

• Knowledge of WHO’s support procedures, and practices in other operational service areas such as travel administration, processing requests, visa issuances, flight and hotel bookings and follow up on travel related issues.

• Ability to brief and explain basic administrative procedures to other members of staff.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Flexibility to adapt to competing priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.

   

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 WST 31,457 (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 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.

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