Laboratory Diagnostics Technical Officer - World Health Organization

The incumbent will act as the expert for the laboratory within the laboratory services pillar of the response. She/he will manage the laboratory component of the incident management system, and provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) and partners.

She/he will establish and maintain collaborative networks involving national and international organizations, governmental and non-governmental institutions, and professional and scientific societies, and liaise with other units/teams at the country office, regional office and HQ.

Description Of Duties

• Provide technical expertise and operational support for the timely response to outbreaks/epidemics and health emergencies, in collaboration with national health officials, including laboratory staff, and other partner organizations.
• Adapt and coordinate the development and implementation of technical guidelines and standard operational procedures for laboratory testing practices for outbreak detection, including those caused by (re-)emerging and other infectious diseases
• Coordinate the participation in Quality Assurance Systems of International Mobile Laboratories deployed in country and National Central Laboratories involved in the event management.

• Lead the enhancement of laboratory infrastructure and the implementation of standard operating procedures to ensure safe collection, handling, shipment, storage and analysis of human and environmental specimens.
• Cooperate with partners in improving analytical and diagnostics services, quality and environmental management, equipment maintenance, safety and bio-safety for laboratories.
• Manage the implementation, reporting, performance assessment and evaluation of the approved activities and ensure proper communication with partners as appropriate.
• Contribute to strengthening the national capacity at the health laboratories; assess training needs and provide training for laboratory personnel in the related technical areas.
• Oversee updating and maintaining the related reporting and information systems, documenting their response and laboratory strengthening activities, as and when required.

Required Qualifications

Education

Essential:

• Advanced University degree (Master’s level or above) in life science, laboratory medicine or medical microbiology from an accredited/recognized institute.
• Certified training or qualification in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/or epidemiology and laboratory techniques.

Desirable: Master’s level degree in public health or health-related field

Experience

Essential:

• At least 7 years of progressive practical and operational experience and management of laboratory services, and laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases at the national level.
• Experience in establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for microbiology and/or detection of infectious diseases.
• Experience in planning and implementing laboratory training
• Experience in evaluating novel diagnostics assays for emergency use authorization during outbreak response.

Desirable: Previous experience in UN organizations/agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organisations, international institutions or non-governmental organizations, particularly in developing countries.

Skills

• Proven ability to analyse laboratory activities in diagnostic, biosafety and quality management, in order to develop innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement.
• Sound knowledge of biosafety standards, methodology and techniques in health laboratories, including those in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology and biosafety.
• Sound knowledge of Quality Assurance Systems for laboratories.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Promoting innovation and organizational learning
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: French.

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 77,326 (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 2810 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.