OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME:

All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the General Programme of Work. 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, prioritising 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 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. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures a two way flow of information exchange between the country and WHO.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

As part of a team, and under the general supervision of the Head of the Country Office, the incumbent performs a variety of financial, administrative, coordinating and monitoring services to ensure the efficient daily running of the Country Office and in support of project/programme activities, as follows:

• Maintains financial records for the Country Office, including running of the Imprest account; prepares and submits financial reports to WHO Regional Office for Europe (EURO); completes cash/advance reconciliations; manages the Country Office petty cash; prepares monthly Imprest accounts and other related financial statements and reports.
• Using online management systems, monitors aspects of the implementation of country activities and availability of funds for project/programme budget levels and financial expenditures, according to the approved country work plan. Assembles, jointly with the Administrative Assistant, draft background for planning, monitoring and evaluation (including mini/review) exercises.
• Assists in the organization of meetings held in the country (working groups, seminars/courses, workshops, and symposia), i.e.: makes general financial preparations of required documents (purchase orders, agreement for performance of work, etc).
• Establishes and maintains the filing system of financial documents and correspondence. Creates background files and compiles reference material as appropriate. Responsible for sending finance information to WHO/EURO on a regular basis. Provides Registry archives with purged master files containing key financial documents for official record purposes.
• Advises local staff on all aspects of allowances, salary advances, travel claims and other financial matters. Reviews all financial documents prior to payment and effects correct and timely payments. Makes regularly a cash count (custodian of cash and bank balances).
• Controls paying the contractual partners (hotels, travel agencies, printing companies, etc) and monitors that all supporting documents (invoices, contract, act of acceptance, etc) are attached and properly signed, stamped an in-accordance with the delegation of authority, before making any payments.
• Monitors income and expenditure recording, reconciles outstanding advances, receives and distributes funds to WHO counterparts, makes accounts reconciliation within the Country Office and with EURO. Organizes vendor payments, processes and monitors all requests for payments (travel advances and claims, payment requests, payment orders, internal commitments, etc) against provided allotments and approved obligations.
• Monitors financial transactions between the relevant bank/s and WHO CO and makes regular cash and bank transfer reconciliations. Maintain regular contacts with national banks and other financial institutions to obtain day-to-day information on exchange rates, changes in procedures and regulations.
• Performs other duties as it may be required by Head of Country Office and Administrative Assistant.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Essential: Equivalent to graduation from secondary school or equivalent technical or commercial school.
• Desirable: Higher education degree. Specialized training preferably in finance / administration / management related fields

Experience:

• Essential: At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the finance/administrative field. Bookkeeping experience (minimum 2 years).
• Desirable: Relevant experience within the UN and/or WHO.

Skills: Training in accounting. Proficiency in the use of standard office computer software, note-taking and operation of computerized systems and databases. Administrative training.

Source:https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=1901466&tz=GMT%2B05%3A30