Technical Officer (Health Laboratory)

Job content

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMMEThe mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The objective of the Strategic Health Operations Department is to ensure the establishment of strong emergency management system at all three levels of the Organization (based on incident management), implementation of operations and services according to agreed standards, and availability of a strong logistics and operational support capacity. The Department prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low capacity countriesDescription Of DutiesDuring deployment, the dutystation may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme.

• Provide technical guidance to OSL team and technical units regarding laboratory and diagnostic component of the needs assessments of the affected population in the context of Incident Management Support.
• Provide 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.
• Provide expertise on development and review of technical specifications for laboratory and diagnostic to support the OSL and procurement team.
• Undertake and complete a full and detailed assessment of all proposals received in response to Invitation to bid (ITB) or Request for quotations (RFQ).
• Participate to the installation of the laboratory equipment/systems ensuring the works are carried out as per the design specifications and contracts administrations of installation work.
• Participate to the enhancement of laboratory infrastructure and the implementation of standard operating procedures to ensure safe collection, handling, shipment, storage and analysis of human and environment specimens.
• 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.
• Provide support for design, execution and maintenance of quality system processes at WRE for laboratory and diagnostic supplies.
• Coordinate with HQ desks and technical unit and other laboratory partners to identify gaps and recommend corrective actions.
• Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Required QualificationsEducationEssential: Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in life science, medicine or medical virology 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.ExperienceEssential: At least seven years of practical and operational application and management of laboratory services, laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases at the national and international levels. Some related experience in outbreaks and/or health emergency response of international impact.Desirable: Experience in establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for microbiology and/or detection of infectious diseases. Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings at national and regional levels. Experience in procurement of Laboratory supplies. Experience in evaluating novel diagnostics assays for emergency use authorization during outbreak response. Previous experience in UN organizations/agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations, international institutions or nongovernmental 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 in biosafety standards, methodology and techniques in health laboratories, including those in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology and biosafety.
• Sound knowledge in Quality Assurance Systems for laboratories.

WHO CompetenciesTeamworkRespecting and promoting individual and cultural differencesCommunicationProducing resultsUse of Language SkillsEssential: Expert knowledge of English.Desirable: Expert knowledge of French.REMUNERATIONWHO 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 75,602 (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 4473 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

• 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 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.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• 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.
• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

GradeP4Contractual ArrangementTemporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)12 monthsJob PostingJan 23, 2023, 4:05:25 PMClosing DateFeb 14, 2023, 11:59:00 PMPrimary LocationSwitzerland-GenevaOrganizationHQ/SHO Strategic Health Operations WREScheduleFull-timeIMPORTANT NOTICE:Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.