Operations Support Officer

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2604466
• Grade: P2
• Contractual arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
• Contract duration: 2 years
• Organization: WP_WSM Samoa
• Schedule: Full-time
• Closing date: Nov 7, 2026, 3:59:00 AM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

In line with the Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW14), the WHO Representative office for Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau supports WHO’s overarching goal to promote, provide and protect health and well-being for all people, everywhere. The immediate strategic objective is to ensure the efficient, compliant, and accountable delivery of programme and operational services that enable the effective implementation of WHO-supported health priorities across Samoa and the associated Pacific Island Countries and Territories served by the office.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the Head of the WHO Country Office, the incumbent will oversee the delivery of efficient, effective, and timely operational services for the WHO Country office. This includes the management of financial and human resources management, procurement, ICT, security, and general administrative areas, adhering to organizational policies, regulations, and procedures. The role holder proposes methods and necessary process readjustments which respond to changes in the operating environment, particularly in emergency settings.

Summary of assigned duties

• Provide information to the head of the WHO country office and other staff of the country office and projects on all aspects of country office operations, interpreting policies, systems, and procedures.
• Supervise staff and teams of operations in delivering the full range of services in budget and finance, human resources, procurement, information and communication technologies, security and staff safety, and general administration, in compliance with organizational policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Provide appropriate solutions grounded in policy compliance and geared towards responsiveness to business needs.
• Assist in reviewing, coordinating, and assessing the biennial work plans including the human resources plans.
• Provide inputs for the operational budget, and support its management and implementation monitoring.
• Provide advice on financial policies and procedures applicable to the office in conformity with WHO-established procedures.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree (bachelor’s) in finance, management, accountancy, economics, business administration or other similar relevant fields.
Desirable: Training in business administration or programme management.

 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/ .

Experience

Essential: A minimum of two years relevant work experience in the area of administration, supporting implementation of budget and finance, human resources, procurement and/or logistics services.
Desirable: Previous work experience in WHO or other United Nations agencies. Relevant international exposure an asset. 

Skills

• Experience with administrative, financial, and management principles, procedures, and policies of large public-sector organizations
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of administration, programme and project management
• Experience with financial procedures including imprest management
• Knowledge of quality assurance and compliance monitoring
• Skills in implementing financial budgetary principles
• Ability to analyze financial and administrative data
• Ability to engage with government, UN agencies and other development partners
• Ability to maintain excellent interpersonal working relations
• Ability to work with competing priorities under pressure

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:  who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 56,046 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1,742 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
• 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 eManual.
• 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.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• 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.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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