CONSULTANCY – Support to bacteriology laboratories for surveillance and management of AMR. Band level B (higher end of range)

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

1. Purpose of the consultancy

This consultancy will build on previous work in the EMR region, to ensure that the gains made in countries that have already received support are sustained, and that more countries are assisted to develop a realistic and sustainable bacteriology component of their laboratory system, including in some instances appropriate use of Whole Genome Sequencing.

2. Background

High quality bacteriology laboratories are important for effective prevention, diagnosis and management of communicable diseases, including antimicrobial resistance, and for surveillance of the prevalence of pathogens and their susceptibility patterns.

Investment in bacteriology laboratories has often lagged behind other components of the laboratory system, but as the world emerges from the COVID 19 pandemic, and there is renewed interest in laboratory strengthening, high quality bacteriology laboratories should be included in laboratory systems.

Within the framework of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) pandemic preparedness and health security, the objective of the Department of Communicable Diseases in the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), is to assist Member States in strengthening their health sectors toward the communicable disease targets of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3). EMRO therefore supports Member States in the development of appropriate national policies, guidelines and strategies to strengthen systems to prevent, diagnose and manage infections. SDG3 also aims to help Member States meet legal obligations in early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks under the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005). Quality laboratory testing is central to both national public health programmes and core response capacities required by the IHR.

3. Planned timelines

Start date: 1 July 2023

End date 28 Feb 2023

4. Work to be performed

Output 1 Support the procurement systems for bacteriology laboratories, as a part of overall laboratory system strengthening in selected countries, including:

a. Update audits of laboratory capacities that have been carried out in the last 5 years

b. Support countries in reviewing procurement systems for equipment and consumables

c. Assist with the development of systems for procurement

d. Assess need for pooled procurement at regional level for discs and other reagents

e. Develop a list of reagents for regional pooled procurement

Output 2 Enhance the quality of bacteriology laboratory services

a. Assess the Quality Management Systems in place related to antimicrobial resistance and identify gaps in provision of quality laboratory services.

b. Provide recommendations for improvements, aligned with international best

c. Practices, and develop a draft action plan for measurable improvement in close collaboration

d. Contribute to training of laboratory staff using trainers experienced in the relevant

area(s) of laboratory QMS.

e. Provide technical advice to laboratory staff to ensure proper implementation of quality

laboratory management for a defined period.

f. Support National Reference Laboratory of AMR in the EM region to provision quality services to the laboratory network

g. Review and finalize standard operating procedures (SOPs) for laboratories,

Output 3 Guidance on Whole Genome Sequencing

a. Review global and regional guidance on Whole Genome Sequencing

b. Adapt available guidance to ensure that regional communicable disease and AMR issues are appropriately and effectively covered

c. Provide advice and assistance to countries on the implementation of guidance

Output 4: Submission of the final report.

a. Submit final report at the end of the assignment to relevant unit which include an executive summary, recommendations and plan of action, with soft copies of training curriculum and training modules.

5. Specific requirements

Qualifications required:

· Master’s degree in laboratory sciences or microbiology.

Experience required:

· 7 years’ experience in laboratory quality management, training and provision of external quality assessment, including antimicrobial resistance.

· Experience with providing technical support to laboratories in limited resource settings.

· Practical experience of support to countries in the use of Whole Genome Sequencing

Skills/Technical skills and knowledge:

1. Very good reviewing and technical analysis skills

2. Excellent analytical writing skills

3. Excellent communication skills

4. Good knowledge of laboratory procurement systems

Language requirements:

o Advanced knowledge of English.

o Advance knowledge of Arabic or French is preferable/desirable (based on the country of assignment).

6. Place of assignment

EMRO, CAIRO/EGYPT (Not necessarily office based)

Medical clearance : The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.) All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance. Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

Additional Information section

· This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

· Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

· Remuneration is in line with WHO consultant established rates

· Successful candidates will be included in the roster for consideration for future contractual engagement via a consultancy, as they become available. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee any future contractual relationship with WHO

· A written test may be used as a form of screening.

· If your candidature is retained for 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.

· For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

· WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

· WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

· Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

· WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

· Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.

· WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

· Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that: (a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated; (b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided; (c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.