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Purpose of the position: The Program Assistant will play a critical role in advancing the MSC Unit’s objectives by delivering administrative and programmatic support across multiple workstreams, including performance & accountability, intelligence & analytics, M&E & quality assurance, learning & change, and strategic initiatives. This position will facilitate the smooth functioning of each workstream by supporting activities, maintaining accurate records, and assisting in the implementation of projects and initiatives. The assistant will work closely with both internal and external stakeholders, manage information, and ensure adherence to administrative institutional policies and procedures, thereby contributing to the unit’s overall effectiveness and growth.
Objectives of the Programme
The MSC Unit oversees performance governance, strategic intelligence, and accountability for the Region. It sets standards for monitoring and evaluation, drives organizational learning and change management, ensures evidence-based decision-making, and supports the implementation of special initiatives, fostering continuous improvement aligned with Member State expectations and global WHO directives.
The overarching goal of the Monitoring and Evaluation, Special Initiatives and Change Management Unit is to strengthen organizational effectiveness through rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive change processes. By leveraging insights, including those derived from analysis, the unit aims to generate reliable evidence, inform strategic decision-making, and proactively induce change throughout the organization. Harnessing AI-enabled insights allows the unit to identify trends, anticipate challenges, and implement innovative solutions that drive continuous improvement. Through systematic documentation of lessons learned and promotion of forward-thinking approaches, the unit uses these insights to enhance program performance and facilitate progress toward health objectives across African nations.
Description of the Duties
Under the direct supervision of the Team Lead, and the overall guidance of the Director Programme Management (DPM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to the following duties:
General administration
· Provide administrative support for program management, human resources, planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and resource mobilization.
· Review requisitions for goods and services to ensure accuracy and fund availability.
· Organize and manage meetings, workshops, and consultations, handling agendas, minutes, and follow-ups, using AI summarization or transcription tools where appropriate
· Handle contract administration, logistics, and travel arrangements for staff, external contractors, evaluation missions, and events according to WHO procedures.
· Manage calendars, meetings, and communications using productivity and AI tools (e.g., Copilot, Teams AI, automated scheduling systems).
· Maintain digital and physical filing systems, ensuring efficient retrieval through AI‑assisted search and classification.
Program assistance
· Assist with data collection, analysis, and the preparation of reports and presentations to support planning, information sharing, and decision-making.
· Maintain and manage accurate records, databases, and contact lists, ensuring information is organised and accessible.
· Support the creation and updating of visual materials, such as web pages, brochures, and multimedia content, aligned with WHO standards.
· Develop and implement tools for monitoring and evaluating programme performance, documenting MSC’s contributions and addressing WHO needs.
· Coordinate communications activities, including drafting, proofreading, and formatting documents for traditional and social media, while ensuring accuracy and confidentiality with the aid of AI tools.
· Performs other duties as assigned.
Recruitment Profile
Competencies
WHO Competency model: http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1
Teamwork*
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences*
Communication*
Producing Results
Ensuring effective use of resources
Functional Knowledge and Skills
· Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, adapt priorities, and propose innovative solutions to problems. Good analytical skills.
· Strong oral and written communication skills, including impactful reporting and presentations.
· Experienced in fostering collaborations with stakeholders and supporting resource mobilization using value-for-money principles.
· Proven ability to utilize main generative AI applications.
· Understanding of effective management practices, program planning, and evaluation.
Education Qualifications
Essential: Completion of Secondary School, or its equivalent in technical or commercial education.
Desirable: University degree in the area of Public Health Management, Project /Programme Management, Economics or Statistics.
Experience
Essential: Minimum of ten years’ experience working in programme management.
Desirable: Experience in public health programme. Experience working in the United Nations system and/or other International Organizations.
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 19 231 USD (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
‘Staff members who apply to this requisition and who have been or will be separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will be given special consideration’
- 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 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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