Consultant - providing technical assistance and training to laboratories in complex emergency countries

Overview

Provide technical assistance and training to enhance laboratory capabilities in emergency countries

You have:

• Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences preferably in bioinformatics, epidemiology, data science, and/or public health.
• At least 7 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, results-based management, and/or genomic sequencing/surveillance.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic.
• Knowledge of French is an asset.
• Sound knowledge and experience of working with Ministries of Health in Eastern Mediterranean Region.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills to draft synthesis documents and/or reports.
• Understanding of basic computer applications such as MS Word, Excel, and database management.

Area of expertise

A consultant with previous first-hand experience in providing technical assistance and training to laboratories in complex emergency countries is being sought.

Purpose of consultancy

The Infectious Hazards Preparedness (IHP) Unit of the Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) supports Member States in the Region in the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. IHP delivers strategic, operational and technical support to all countries to prepare for, detect and respond to outbreaks of the most dangerous and high-threat infectious pathogens and to prevent their global spread. The laboratory diagnostic workstream plays a crucial role in supporting countries for early confirmation of emerging infectious diseases which requires specialized laboratories with appropriate biosafety levels, capacity for accurate detection and diagnosis of emerging viral and bacterial pathogens, and a referral network of laboratories to provide advanced diagnostic services. A consultant with previous first-hand experience in providing technical assistance and training to laboratories in complex emergency countries is being sought.

Background

The Infectious Hazards Preparedness (IHP) Unit of the Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) supports Member States in the Region in the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. IHP delivers strategic, operational and technical support to all countries to prepare for, detect and respond to outbreaks of the most dangerous and high-threat infectious pathogens and to prevent their global spread. The laboratory diagnostic workstream plays a crucial role in supporting countries for early confirmation of emerging infectious disease which requires specialized laboratories with appropriate biosafety levels, capacity for accurate detection and diagnosis of emerging viral and bacterial pathogens, and a referral network of laboratories to provide advanced diagnostic services. In addition to supporting the strengthening of sustainable national COVID-19 laboratory capacity, the laboratory workstream helps countries by 1) supporting deployment of laboratory specialists to enhance country diagnostic capacity and 2) enhancing or establishing a laboratory referral system within and outside countries for regional emerging and (re-) emerging infectious disease (EID) surveillance.

Work to be performed

Output 1: Provide full technical support and follow up for setting up and running an NGS facility to the 8 complex emergency countries in the region following their recent training in genomic surveillance

• Deliverable 1.1: Support laboratory staff to conduct all aspects of a typical NGS workflow from sample preparation, through to preparation and sequencing of NGS libraries, followed by data analysis.
• Deliverable 1.2: Ensure successful understanding of NGS (Next Generation Sequencing), execution and analysis
• Deliverable 1.3: Produce reports summarizing the technical support to use Next Generation Sequencing, documenting, and communicating results and progress

Output 2: Provide technical support with regards to bioinformatics data analysis and sharing on designated global platforms to these countries

• Deliverable 2.1: Document the MoH support required in relation to the sequencing and bioinformatics capacity building
• Deliverable 2.2: Engage with Ministries of Health (MoH) and help them keep track of generated sequencing data, submission to global platform on timely manar, etc
• Deliverable 2.2: Monitor the quality sequencing and bioinformatics practices in the priority countries

Output 3: Strengthen the national capacities for sequencing and bioinformatics in the priority countries

• Deliverable 3.1: Facilitate hands-on trainings on sequencing and bioinformatics in priority countries
• Deliverable 3.2: Provide remote technical support as the needs arise to these 8 countries
• Deliverable 3.3: Provide technical report documenting progress of the national sequencing and bioinformatic capacities, including bottlenecks and significant gaps based only on unmet critical requirements, general user interactions, outputs of Infrastructure and sequence read quality etc.

Output 4: Develop a manuscript describing the support provided to establish and enhance the COVID sequencing in 7 Complex Countries.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences preferably in bioinformatics, epidemiology, data science, and/or public health.

Experience Essential

• Sound knowledge and experience of engaging and working with Ministries of Health in Eastern Mediterranean Region, and regional determinants and policy developments.
• Knowledge and experience in designing conducting system capacity and/or laboratory assessments and/or evaluations.
• At least 7 years of experience in areas of monitoring and evaluation, results-based management, development of global health stakeholder network community.
• Development and learning initiatives, and/or genomic sequencing/surveillance.
• Preferred experience in data science, epidemiology, and/or global health data sharing development of policies, programs, and initiatives.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Excellent writing and analytical skills to draft synthesis, documents, and/or reports

Understanding and knowledge of basic computer applications such as MS Words, Excel and data base management

Languages

Essential: Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic.

Desirable: knowledge of French is an asset

Location

Homebased but with frequent travel to the 8 complex emergency countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen) when required to give face-to-face technical assistance and/or training.

Remuneration and Expected duration of contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year)

• Remuneration: at Band level “B”
• Expected duration of contract: 6 months within this period: Start date: 1/11/2022- End date: 30/04/2023

Medical clearance

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

Hiring Unit

Infectious Hazards Preparedness (IHP)

Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel according to the required needs to give face-to-face technical assistance and/or training for the 8 complex countries.

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=

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.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: who.int