OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving the financial protection against health-related risks. The Country Office contributes to providing technical support in developing national policies, strategies and activities in the area of health systems strengthening including, (i) advocating for Universal Health Coverage and building up national capacity in UHC-related matters (ii) facilitating the adoption of evidence -based public health interventions as well as appropriate reforms/changes with a view to promote equity and accelerate the movement towards universal health coverage. Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO: All the Member States of WHO South East Asia Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work (2019-2023) is structured around three interconnected strategic priorities to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages: achieving universal health coverage, addressing health emergencies and promoting healthier populations. WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) 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 South-East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India’s population of 1.3 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage; (ii) health related sustainable development goals;(iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities; (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005); (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health. Mission of the WHO Country Office for India: Within the framework of WHO’s Country Cooperation Strategy, the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in: (i) developing and sustaining its own health policies, health systems and public health programmes; (ii) working to prevent and overcome threats to health; (iii) anticipating future challenges; and (iv) advocating public health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Head of WHO Country Office, and the direct supervision of the Administrative Officer, with a view to help achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India biennial work plans in accordance with WHO’s Country Cooperation Strategy, as a part of WCO-India team, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

1. Compliance Review: Review proposals for implementation and ensure correct contract mechanisms and documentation required for compliance with WHO guidelines; compliance with internal rules, as set out in WHO rules, regulations, directives, guidelines, policies and procedures and suggest required modifications upon obtaining necessary clarifications from technical units and contractual partners towards ensuring accountability and stewardship of Organizational resources. Communicate with supervisors on any operational problem, incident of fraud or other perceived risks as and when appropriate, including any control gaps or breaches of compliancy.

2. Quality Assurance: Review proposals for implementation of programme activities as per the work plan in line with Country Cooperation Strategy; Take up issues for rectification/ clarification, wherever deviations are observed; Assist technical units for completed documentation on technical assessment, adjudication report and terms of reference including budgetary estimates and compliance with WHO guidelines; Consistently reviews the processes and procedures to ascertain that each of the components of internal control that are built into the business process is functioning effectively. Suggest remedial actions in order to address control gaps or strengthen controls or other issues that may arise.

3. Support to Technical Officers and Team Leads in Awards and Workplan Management: Coordinate with technical units and guide program support team to ensure timely submission of deliverables (reports, financial statements) for release of installments, settlements of outstanding issues. Prepare/generate appropriate reports and monitor the exceptions and guide the programme support staff to provide necessary advisory support to concerned technical officers in monitoring the deliverables and contracts. Maintain close liaison with national authorities and various technical and administrative units in SEARO to follow-up and expedite the implementation of the workplans.

4. Support to Team Leads in Financial Planning and Management: Participate in internal discussions, senior management team meetings and provide inputs on administrative and programme related areas; Prepare and disseminate periodic implementation reports and exceptions. Support team leads and technical officers in financial planning and management.

5. Mentoring support to programme support staff: Prepare and/or Guide, supervise the programme support staff on programme, administrative areas; for compliance of WHO correspondence procedures including completed staff work; prepare necessary trainings modules for new joiners and programme support staff on different programme and administrative areas towards consistent updation and capacity building of the programme support team.

6. Assess the work load in the operational team for providing adequate programme and administrative support to the technical programmes, by allocating responsibilities of activities to the relevant Programme Assistants and administrative support staff working in the operational team for timely completion of priority activities and optimal staff time usage.

7. Prepare updated standard templates for frequently used correspondence/invitation letters, information note to participants/Temporary Advisers to standardize outgoing communications.

8. Engage with contractual partners for timely submission of deliverables, resolving contentious issues and compliance of WHO contractual requirements.

9. Follow-up with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India for nominations for various WHO-organized events and Governing body meetings; including sharing of relevant documentations.

10. Prepare draft SOPs for operational functions and ensure its compliance.

11. Prepare briefing notes for WR/Deputy Head of WHO Country Office/ AO.

12. Any other duties as assigned by the WR/Deputy Head of WHO Country Office/AO.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in any discipline.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in Management.

Experience

Essential: At least one (1) year of progressively responsible experience in health programme management.
Desirable: Experience of work in UN and/or other international organizations.

Skills

• The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization. Thorough knowledge of the situation in India with regard to vaccine preventable diseases including COVID-19 and health emergencies with good understanding of country’s needs and priorities, of issues and policies in various aspects of health financing, development of operational workplans and monitoring of and evaluation of workplan implementation. Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in the related areas.
• Good knowledge of the administrative functioning of government institutions and related departments / agencies, and of the other partners in India.
• Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors. Understanding ofthe potential motivating factors within national context and ability to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment.
• Modern management skills. Capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare and monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements. Capacity to convey information and options in astructured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports.
• Knowledge of WHO/UN agencies programmes and practices will be an advantage.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of Hindi.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at INR 1,889,386 (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 [email protected]

• 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 [email protected].

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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