Operations Officer

World Health Organization

Ankara, Turkey

Experience: 5 to 10 Years

Skill Required: HR and Admin

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 right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying value of equity as described 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, prioritizing 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 Mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

The Management & Administration unit of the Health Emergencies Programme is responsible for effective and efficient management and administrative support for the emergencies programme and for ensuring that WHO emergency operations are rapidly and sustainably financed and staffed. This consists of the provision of high-quality, administrative services (i.e. HR, Finance, work planning, grant management) to the Emergency Programme, including during emergency response, as well as effective monitoring of (and compliance with) SOPs and risk management, leading to continuous improvement and business process excellence.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To manage service provision in the following areas: human resources management, preparation and oversight of plans and budgets for the emergency prevention, preparedness, recovery and response plans of work, management of finances, office premises, procurement, security compliance, and information technology.The incumbent will be deployed to emergency operations when required.

Key duties: 

  • Adapt and implement procedures, in compliance with existing policies and SOPs, for the administration, monitoring, control and evaluation of human, financial and material resources processes. 
  • Support the formulation of general and specific budgetary estimates for the emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities; ensure the management of funding allocations and awards; track and report on financing against budget; support, monitor and report on financial implementation in compliance with WHO rules, emergency SOPs and delegations of authority. 
  • Provide administrative support in the implementation of emergency operations through initiation of relevant proposals for all planned activities, in cooperation with the resource mobilization team, follow-up on donor proposals and reporting deadlines; ensure payments are made to support emergency programme plans and in compliance with rules and procedures.
  • Provide a range of human resources services, including forecasting future needs, facilitating rapid deployment of surge staff and international responders, sourcing, recruitment, medical clearance, travel to the relevant duty station, entry formalities, briefing and training, on-site administrative support, de-briefing and performance evaluations. Track and report on HR requirements against plans, status of filled positions/vacancies, in collaboration with the relevant Regional Office and/or HQ.
  • Manage procurement of services and all necessary supplies required for support of the incident management, track inventory, coordinate with logistics and HR to provide supplies and equipment to the local response team. Participate in local contract review committees and ensure best value for money in procurement practices as per the delegated authority. Ensure appropriate asset management, provide relevant reports to the management.
  • In case the Field Security Officer position is not established in the duty station, liaise with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and the Regional Field Security Officer to ensure the safety of all WHO staff and responders, Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) compliance, timely report on security related incidents, disseminate security and travel advisory information and arrange security briefings and training of staff.
  • As required, manage Information Technology support services provided either by local Information technology technicians.
  • Consolidate the replies to audit reports and comments, review and follow-up on any outstanding audit recommendations related to the different areas of management and administration.
  • Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

  • Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in public or business administration, public health, finance or accounting, human resources management or other social studies.
  • Desirable: Master's degree in any of the above fields.

Experience

  • Essential: At least five years of relevant experience, combined at the national and international levels in management and administration, including supervision of staff. Experience in supporting emergency or health outbreak operations.
  • Desirable: Experience in developing countries. Prior humanitarian working experience at field level, with WHO, other UN agency, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or with an international nongovernmental organization.

Skills

  • Thorough knowledge of administrative and management principles and practices (including, but not limited to the areas of Human Resources, Finance, Budget, Procurement and Security).Excellent time management skills and the ability to work under pressure. Demonstrated ability to act independently and exercise sound judgement. Advanced leadership skills and proven ability to coach and motivate staff.Skills in programme formulation, design and research development an asset. Proven ability to translate requirements into workable solutions.

Use of Language Skills

  • Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
  • Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of WHO Official language.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2303207&tz=GMT%2B05%3A30&tzname=Asia%2FCalcutta