Consultant (National Senior Laboratory Expert)

Contract

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

TERMS OF REFERENCE

NATIONAL SENIOR LABORATORY EXPERT – NHLS PROJECT, NOC (WHO RWANDA)

Grade: NOC

Contractual Arrangement: Special Services Agreement (SSA)

Contract Duration: 12 months

Duty Station: Kigali-Rwanda

Organization: WHO Rwanda.

Open: 1

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

WHO Rwanda is providing technical support to the Government of Rwanda during the construction of an ultra-modern facility dubbed the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) in Kigali. The newly established NHLS will have high containment laboratory capabilities (biosafety level 3 extensible to level 4 in future) to handle highly infectious and pathogenic organisms.

The incumbent will be responsible for providing technical laboratory assistance to the project, which consists of two main components with the following objectives

Under component I: Support establishment of the NHLS with high containment capability (Biosafety Level 3/4) that meets applicable requirements and international best practices

1. Support the planning and design phases of NHLS construction to ensure it meets applicable requirements and international best practices for a high containment laboratory
2. Strategically and technically support the preparation for optimal NHLS operationalization and the delivery of quality and safe laboratory services according to international standards in a safe environment

Under component II: Strengthen the national public health laboratory network focusing on primary health care (PHC) facilities (community, health centres and district hospitals) for health system resilience and overall health system performance to achieve UHC-related objectives

1. Strengthen the quality and capacity of diagnostic services from the community to district hospitals level

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME:

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative and the direct supervision of the National Senior Project Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions:

1. Provide technical laboratory expertise to the project manager and team
2. Coordinate WHO 3-level (Headquarters, Regional Office and Country Office) laboratory expertise and technical support to the project
3. Ensure laboratory technical monitoring and follow up on the implementation of the project
4. Provide technical assistance in conducting detailed risk assessment and needs assessment. Use the outcomes of these assessments to inform the risk control measures needed and the facility design.
5. Provide technical support during the concept design and feasibility study
6. Provide technical assistance in identification of appropriate laboratory equipment for the BSL3 laboratory, support in preparation of laboratory equipment procurement tender documents and development of national standards for laboratory equipment.
7. Provide technical support in conducting a comprehensive NHLS human resource (HR) capacity assessment and develop a capacity development plan in line with the HR needs of the NHLS
8. Provide technical support to RBC on all aspects related to the laboratory including but not limited to ensuring adherence to international biosafety and biosecurity best practices and standards, developing training materials, conduct training, support in designing laboratory information system, support the decentralization of current national reference laboratory (NRL) functions to laboratories at sub-national level
9. Draft required technical reports as per project requirements
10. Facilitate the establishment of partnerships and collaboration between NHLS and other high containment laboratories using existing collaborative platforms and networks.
11. Participate in and contribute to relevant technical NHLS project meetings.
12. Provide reports at the end of each month (or more frequently as required) on TOR deliverables to WHO representative through the direct supervisor.
13. Produce an end of contract report 1 month before the end of the contract.
14. Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Subject to the agreement of both parties, these terms of reference may be amended periodically, in the interest of the project.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• A university degree in laboratory or medical sciences or in one of the related fields including medical biotechnology from an accredited/recognized academic institution.
• Registered with relevant professional bodies with valid and appropriate professional licenses.

Desirable:

• An advanced university degree in laboratory or medical sciences or in one of the related fields including medical biotechnology from an accredited/recognized academic institution.
• Registered with relevant professional bodies with valid and appropriate professional licenses.

Experience

Essential:

• At least five years of experience in operational application and management of clinical laboratory services, laboratory diagnosis of communicable and non-communicable diseases at the national or international levels.

Desirable:

• Experience in establishing and improving laboratory infrastructure for all types of laboratory analyses.
• Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings at national and regional levels.
• At least 7 years’ experience in managing technical issues related to medical laboratory equipment.
• Experience in developing technical specifications for medical equipment including laboratory equipment.
• Experience in developing bill of quantities for setting up new laboratory facilities
• Previous relevant work experience for laboratory assignment with the UN agencies or other national or international organizations is an asset.

Functional Skills and Knowledge

• Sound knowledge in laboratory biosafety best practices and standards.
• Sound knowledge in Quality Management Systems for laboratories.
• Sound knowledge in methodologies and techniques in health laboratories, including those in molecular biology, virology and bacteriology.
• Familiarity and knowledge of international tenders` basic principles and procedures
• Ability to independently initiate and manage of project activities with a clear focus on reaching defined outputs in a timely manner as agreed in project documents and work plans
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

WHO COMPETENCIES

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources
6. Moving forward in a changing environment

Languages required: Essential: Expert knowledge of English and working knowledge of French.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.