Consultant Laboratory - Band level B - Nairobi

1. Background

   1. PURPOSE OF THE POST

The main purpose of the post is to support the Influenza Programme activities in the region, specifically the adaptation of key influenza surveillance documents to encompass other respiratory pathogens considering the post-COVID-19 pandemic landscape. Support will also be provided to enhance Member State capacities in the context of influenza laboratory and epidemiological surveillance activities.

2. Background

Emerging and existing health threats pose continual risks to global health security, and this is no more evident than in the African region where infectious disease outbreaks occur frequently. Communication and collaboration among human health, animal health and the environmental sectors under One Health is essential for rapid and appropriate responses to outbreaks to achieve prompt containment. Additionally, early detection of infectious disease outbreaks relies on functional and sensitive indicator and event-based surveillance systems in human and animal populations and functional laboratory capacities. The Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, along with the US CDC Influenza Division Cooperative Agreements aim to strengthen global detection and response capacities of countries to influenza outbreaks and potential pandemics.

Influenza surveillance in the WHO African region is implemented through the Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system and contributes to the Global Influenza Program through the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, which has been in operation for 70 years. The objectives of Influenza Surveillance in the WHO African region are i) to monitor circulating influenza strains, ii) to identify the epidemiologic characteristics of influenza and other unusual respiratory disease events iii) to characterize and monitor trends in illnesses and deaths attributable to acute respiratory infections and iv) to detect new influenza strains capable of causing a pandemic. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the objectives of GISRS and the regional programme have also expanded to surveillance of other respiratory diseases.

As the pandemic continues to impact populations the importance of respiratory disease surveillance and establishing robust surveillance systems in conjunction with epidemiological data analytics has been highlighted.

In this regard the Influenza Programme within the Infectious Hazard Preparedness area proposes the recruitment of a consultant at the regional level to support the development of key documents and to support countries in the implementation of activities to strengthen respiratory virus surveillance.

2. Deliverables

3. Description of duties

Under the overall guidance of the Emergency Preparedness Programme Manager, and the technical guidance of the PIP Programme Manager, the incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

1. Provide on-site and remote technical support and mentoring for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 detection and sequencing to National Influenza Laboratories and other network laboratories in the Region.
2. Contribute to peer review article(s) on any influenza related subject;
3. Support the preparations for and the reporting from any influenza related meetings e.g. PRET, Module 1 workshops, National Vaccine Deployment Plan workshops and PIP Regional Co-ordination Meeting;
4. Support countries on the implementation of influenza/respiratory disease surveillance using the updated national sentinel surveillance protocol;
5. Conduct any activities to support capacity building for laboratory detection of pathogens in the context of respiratory viruses;
6. Support the establishment of integrated influenza/SARS CoV-2 sentinel surveillance in countries;
7. Provide support and guidance to countries for the development of National Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plans in the context of PRET Module 1;
8. Coordinate the development of best practices on influenza epidemiological surveillance and response in the African Region and ensure all relevant materials pertaining to influenza preparedness and response (reports, plans, SOPs and other information products) are available for Member States.

9. Any other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor(s) in line with the implementation of influenza activities in the region.

10. Expected outputs from his/her work include

• Updated integrated Protocol for Sentinel Surveillance for Respiratory Pathogens;
• Enhanced capacities of selected Member States on integrated influenza virological and epidemiological surveillance;
• Development of viral sequencing capacity in selected countries and follow up to ensure sustainability of capacities;

• Effective roll-out of relevant activities for PIP framework High Level Implementation Plan and US CDC projects in the region.

  3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

  4. Educational Qualifications

An undergraduate degree with a post graduate training in virology, molecular biology or microbiology or a related science from a recognized university.

2. Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience on working in a virology laboratory and be familiar with molecular techniques and cell culture.
• Documented experience with Next generation sequencing (NGS) platform sequencing using Nanopore and/or Illumina platforms including bioinformatic analysis of data generated.

3. Desirable

• Experience in WHO or the UN system.
• Experience in surveillance, either epidemiological or laboratory, of respiratory viruses.

4. Skills/Knowledge

• Good knowledge and technical expertise in infectious disease surveillance, control and prevention, in particular for influenza or other respiratory viruses.
• Demonstrated knowledge in virology, specifically influenza/SARS-CoV2;
• Sound knowledge of biosafety standards, techniques in molecular biology laboratories;
• Sound knowledge in Quality Management Systems for laboratories;
• Basic knowledge of GISAID;
• Writing of technical documents for varied audiences and good communication skills;
• Computer skills appropriate to the task, i.e data analysis and word processing;
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results.

5. Languages and level required

Excellent command of English or French and a working knowledge of the alternative

4. Technical Supervision

   Technical Supervision will be provided by Dr Belinda Herring, the technical lead for the Influenza Programme and overall supervision will be provided by the PAM for EMP Dr Dick Chamla.

5. Location

   On site: Nairobi Hub

6. Travel -

   Travel may be required to support countries with the work outlined in the Terms of Reference i.e Support for laboratory capacities to detect and characterise respiratory viruses, establishment of integrated respiratory surveillance in countries, development of Respiratory Pandemic Preparedness Plans.

   7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

   Rate: Band B

Currency: USD 8,490/month