Genome Surveillance Coordinator

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 110,869 USD and 138,944 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Programme 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. Within EPR, and in the context of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) and the International Health Regulations (IHR), the genomic surveillance programme is supporting countries to build and maintain regional genomic surveillance capacity to include: identifying the cause of outbreaks and epidemics; better understanding of transmission patterns; validating diagnostics; and tracking disease variants.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Genome Surveillance Coordinator is responsible for managerial and technical oversight for the effective implementation of regional genomic surveillance of emerging pathogens. The incumbent provides guidance on the development and implementation of guidelines, strategies, and standards for surveillance and molecular diagnosis of emerging pathogens with pandemic and epidemic potential.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties:

• Provide managerial and technical oversight for the effective implementation of the regional genomic surveillance strategy.
• Provide guidance on the development and implementation of technical guidelines for surveillance and molecular diagnosis of emerging pathogens with pandemic and epidemic potential.
• Coordinate the strengthening capacity of countries for genomic surveillance to address emerging pathogens and anti-microbial resistance (AMR).
• In close collaboration with relevant programmes, ensure the development and implementation of informed epidemiological analysis and sampling approaches to capture the emergence of variants of concern.
• Collaborate with partners and Centres of Excellence to build and sustain capacities of Member States to conduct genomic sequencing, including bioinformatics.
• Coordinate the functioning of the genomic sequencing laboratory networks in the region including: sample referral mechanisms within and outside the countries; biosecurity and biosafety; maintenance of sub-regional biobanks; and quality assurance systems.
• In close collaboration with partners, coordinate the provision of laboratory equipment, supplies and reagents to reference laboratories.
• Coordinate the development and publication of periodic reports and documentation on genomic surveillance.
• In close collaboration with partners, promote joint planning and implementation, advocacy and resource mobilization for strengthening genomic surveillance to address emerging pathogens.
• Coordinate genomic data management including regular reporting of emerging pathogens using GISAID and other recognized open-access genomic platforms.
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s degree in virology, microbiology, molecular epidemiology, genomics, genetics, or other related science-based discipline from an accredited institution.

Desirable: PhD degree in molecular microbiology/virology or leadership training are an added advantage.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of relevant professional work experience in public health pathogen genomics. At least 10 years of proven experience in public health in the field of preparedness and response to epidemic events, outbreaks and other public health emergencies combined with leadership and managerial experience.

Desirable: Experience in WHO and/or the UN system in the areas of outbreak preparedness and response; field experience in public health programmes or emergency response programmes in developing countries.

Skills

Sound strategic and tactical thinking with ability to formulate clear, comprehensive policies, strategies and plans. Superior organizational skills with ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure. Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to communicate in a clear and effective way, with tact, diplomacy and courtesy. Authoritative and comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods and techniques in international emergency risk management and humanitarian response, with a broad-based understanding of its growing complexity including knowledge of the workings of relevant international policy-setting bodies.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork

2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

3. Communication

4. Promoting innovation and organizational learning

5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

The above language requirements are interchangeable.

Knowledge of Portuguese will be an asset.

REMUNERATION

WHO offers staff in the Professional Category an attractive remuneration package, which for the above position includes an annual net base salary starting at 90,664 US Dollars (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

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

• 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/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

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

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

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

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.