OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The Division of Prevention and Health Promotion (PHP) supportscountries in ensuring that people thrive in healthy environments, whileavoiding premature disease and death through integrated prevention across thespectrum of health and disease, health promotion, innovation, behavioural andcultural insights, trust building and climate action.The WHO European Centre forEnvironment, Climate Change and Health (Bonn, Germany) leads regional effortsto create healthy environments and drive climate health action.
Guided by theDeclaration of the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health(Budapest Declaration), the second European Programme of Work 2026-2030, the 14thGeneral Programme of Work, and the recommendations of the Pan-EuropeanCommission on Climate and Health, it supports countries in buildingclimate-resilient health systems, addressing heat and other climate-sensitiveconditions, and supporting the green transition in the health sector.
It alsoadvances action on environmental health risks including air and waterpollution, waste, and contaminated soil, working across sectors to address thestructural drivers of ill health.TheProgramme on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and Climate Adaptation and Climate(WCA) addresses the health-related aspects of water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH)and climate change adaptation. The programme works with Member States tosupport the development of climate change health adaptation plans, includingspecific focus on heat-health action.
It further supports implementation ofclimate-related priorities set out in the second European Programme of Work andrecommendations of the Pan-European Commission for Climate and Health. Theprogramme provides secretariat functions to the Protocol on Water and Health andsupports Member States in developing and improving WASH regulations, managementand surveillance approaches. The programme also supports the response to WASHand/or climate-related health emergencies, as well as the regional rollout of SDG6 monitoring for which WHO is the custodian agency.
The WCA programme works inclose cooperation with the programme on of Living Environments and ClimateMitigation, in a flexible yet highly coordinated matrix arrangement.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
As part of a unit team, and in close collaboration withother teams within the Bonn Office, the incumbent performs a variety ofsecretarial and administrative services in support of the activities in climatechange and health of the EuropeanCentre for Environment, Climate Change and Health. The incumbent:Draftscorrespondence and documents based on written/verbal prompts from theprofessional staff of the unit composes and finalizes correspondence ofadministrative nature provides translation or synopsis of incoming mail takesnotes at meetings
and types reports and other documentation.Assistswith the administrative preparation and conduct of regional and national meetingsand educational activities, in accordance with established procedures.Makesduty travel arrangements in accordance with established procedures.Preparescorrespondence for the recruitment of consultants and temporary advisers;arranges briefing appointments and provides secretarial support for them whilein EURO processes agreements for performance of work and other types ofcontractual arrangements as required
manages related correspondence, followsup on deadlines of such agreements/contracts, and prepares paymentinstructions.Initiatesaction to process or follow up on correspondence, documentation and forms createsbackground files and compiles reference material as appropriate accesses andretrieves information from relevant databases and updates as required.Respondsto and acts on e-mail and telephone enquiries and requests for information assessesthe critical nature of technical enquiries and refers them to appropriate stafffor reply
coordinates appointments for supervisor(s) and organizes programmesfor visitors.Providesbriefing and guidance to staff at all levels in the unit/programme on officepractices and procedures liaises with, assists or replaces other secretariesand/or programme assistants in the unit or department should the need arise.Performs other related duties as required.
Education
Essential : Completion of secondary school or equivalent.
Desirable : Relevant higher education from an accredited institution.
Experience
Essential : At least 5 years of experience in the secretarial/administrative field.
Desirable
Experience in an international environment or institution.
Relevant experience in WHO or the United Nations.
Skills
Proficiency in the use of standard office computer software, note taking and operation of computerized systems and databases.
Emotional intelligence: ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Knowing and managing yourself
Producing results
Use of Language Skills
Essential : Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable
Intermediate knowledge of French.
Intermediate knowledge of German.
Intermediate knowledge of Russian.
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 EUR 53,465 (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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