Programme Assistant

Organizational Context

The WHO European Centre for Environment, Climate Change and Health in Bonn, Germany, leads regional efforts on healthy environments and climate health action. It supports countries in building climate-resilient health systems, addressing environmental health risks, and advancing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. The Programme on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and Climate Adaptation and Climate (WCA) is a key part of this, working closely with other programs.

Job Purpose

The Programme Assistant will provide essential secretarial and administrative support to the Climate Change and Health activities within the European Centre for Environment, Climate Change and Health. This role is crucial for the smooth functioning of the unit, enabling professional staff to focus on their core responsibilities. The incumbent will manage correspondence, prepare documents, support meeting organization, handle travel arrangements, and assist with consultant recruitment and contractual processes, ensuring efficient operations and adherence to established procedures.

Responsibilities

The Programme Assistant will draft and finalize correspondence and documents based on prompts from professional staff. Responsibilities include composing administrative correspondence, providing translations or synopses of incoming mail, taking notes at meetings, and typing reports. The role involves administrative preparation for regional and national meetings and educational activities, including making duty travel arrangements. Additionally, the incumbent will prepare correspondence for consultant recruitment, arrange briefing appointments, and provide secretarial support. Processing agreements, managing related correspondence, following up on deadlines, and preparing payment instructions are also key duties. The role includes initiating actions on documentation, creating background files, compiling reference material, accessing and updating databases, and responding to inquiries via email and phone.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of experience in secretarial or administrative fields is required. Experience in an international environment or institution, particularly within WHO or the United Nations, is desirable.

Skills

Proficiency in standard office computer software; note-taking; operation of computerized systems and databases; emotional intelligence; teamwork; respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences; communication; self-management; results-orientation; expert knowledge of English; intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, or German is desirable.

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