Consultant - National Laboratory Strengthening

Contract

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

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) / Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The mission of the Pan American Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Department 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 Infectious Hazard Management Unit of the Health Emergencies programme is responsible for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority high-threat infectious hazards. This includes developing and supporting prevention and control strategies, tools and capacities for high-threat infectious hazards, establishing and maintaining expert networks to detect, understand and manage new or emerging high threat infectious hazards as well as providing support for the management of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework including timely diagnosis and detection of new viruses.

All national and international influenza surveillance systems, including those for monitoring of clinical disease, depend mainly on virologic surveillance performed in national and subnational viral diagnostic laboratories. The laboratory network of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) of the World Health Organization (WHO) is articulated with the intention of generating timely data on the etiological agent involved in respiratory diseases. Thus, the WHO National Influenza Centers (NIC) are technical reference facilities for virologic surveillance within a country. PAHO has been working with the Central Laboratory of the Bureau of Public Health, Suriname, in strengthening their capacity according to the global standards established by WHO for the NICs. The Central Laboratory was officially recognized as a National Influenza Centre (NIC) by the World Health Organization in 2020 and is the main laboratory designated by the government to do diagnostic tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

To support the Central Laboratory in the strengthening of their technical and managerial capacities and services and enhancement of their role in surveillance for respiratory viruses, in the context of their role as a NIC.

Deliverables:

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

• Gap analysis performed and workplan including timeline and cost-estimate presented
• Maintenance of strong laboratory procedures by conducting a gap analysis to identify areas for further improvements; establishing priorities; enhancing testing strategies and efficiencies; revision of guidelines and manuals; capacity building and knowledge transfer. This shall be done via:
  • Hands-on (re-) training in PCR testing done and delivered agenda, and participation list
  • Provision of training in biosafety and support to the biosafety program at the facility and delivered agenda, and participation list
• Updated laboratory testing protocols for the diagnosis of emerging and other infectious diseases for the Central Laboratory
• Electronic laboratory supplies and stock management system including built in alerts delivered and training held among staff
• Final national guideline on laboratory surveillance for respiratory viruses, with inclusion of other relevant laboratories
• (annual) Needs presented to sustain the CL as the National Influenza Center for Suriname corresponding to the national guideline on laboratory surveillance for respiratory viruses.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A master’s degree in laboratory sciences, public health, or molecular biology or virology, from a recognized institution.

Desirable: A doctoral degree or post-doctoral experience in virology, microbiology or molecular biology.

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/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience:

At least nine years combined experience in medical laboratory services and laboratory management.

Desirable competencies:

• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Outstanding analytical abilities including the use of statistical softwares.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
• Organizational and team management skills.
• Supervisory or Management experience preferred.
• Proven experience in projects for strengthening laboratory services at the national or international level.

Use of language skills:

Expert knowledge of English and Dutch.

REMUNERATION

Will be based on PAHO scales for international consultants. Current daily rates range from USD 172 – USD 314 (A-Band to B-Band).

Work Schedule:

Full-time

Contract Duration:

The duration of this consultancy is from October 2021 until March 2022 (6 months).

Additional Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, SharePoint, etc. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Workday, Visio and Project would be an asset.

Accountability, collaboration and working conditions

• Reporting to and working in close collaboration with the PAHO PHE Focal Points.
• Working in close collaboration with the Head of the Central laboratory and the staff of the Central Laboratory.
• The consultant will use their own equipment.
• The assignment is open for individual consultants, or for a group of consultants with an individual lead.

Reporting requirements

The consultancy fee is linked to the deliverables. All logistical costs necessary to conduct this assignment, e.g. travel costs and accommodation in the scope of work are included in the consultancy fee to be covered by PAHO. Logistics related to training such as printing of materials and the stock management system will be covered by PAHO. The following deliverables, linked to the payment schedule, are expected from the consultant.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 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.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO/WHO Regulations, and e-Manual.
• For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org
• 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. PAHO/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.
• PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• PAHO/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.
• 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 PAHO and the Consultant.
• PAHO/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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by PAHO/WHO.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this consultancy.