International Consultant, Public Health Laboratory System Support, WR/PNG

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1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant is being recruited to conduct a situation analysis and diagnosis of the status of the national public health laboratory capacity aiming at strengthening and optimizing the role of vulnerable, quality and resource-limited laboratory network in PNG and establish its current capabilities for the detection and confirmation of potential public health events of international concern (PHEIC), as required during health emergencies, and as defined by the national laboratory policy and strategic plan within the framework of International Health Regulations or (IHR 2005). Provide technical assistance in identifying issues related to laboratory technologies supply chain and logistical requirements for effectively address outbreaks, emergencies, and major public health threats.

The consultant will also assist the WHO-PNG to assist the country to develop laboratory capacity to detect, assess and respond to emerging and re-emerging threats through the implementation of the regional health security framework (APSED-III), monitor antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and provide effective assistance to PNG to response to outbreaks and epidemics.

2. Objectives of the Consultancy

The mission of the WHO Health Emergency Program (WHE) is to support Member States (MS) to build their capacity to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and to coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and provide effective relief and recovery to the affected populations. WHE brings together and enhances WHO’s operational, technical, and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies, and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable, and accountable manner.

WHE is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.

The main objective of the consultancy includes the following:

To assess and evaluate the current country public health laboratory capacity to support preparedness for public health and humanitarian emergencies and assist the development of the country capacity to plan and implement critical capacities to detect and respond to major public health threats as stated by the IHR (2005). This objective takes into consideration the intersectoral nature of emergency preparedness and entails for a large partnership with other organizations and take into consideration several global frameworks such as the sustainable development goals related to health, emergencies and disasters, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025-2030, the pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework, the performance of Veterinarian Services Pathway, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, regional strategies such as APSED-III, and other regional strategies for disaster risk management within a broader agenda of regional and global Health Security Agenda and the Universal Health Coverage 2030.

The consultant shall support the WHO country office in its effort to strengthen intersectoral national capacity for early detection, timely and effective response, to public health emergencies as required under the IHR 2005 by working with all major public health programs to ensure that laboratory needs listed in national plans are translated into targeted capacity-building in the priority and vulnerable parts of the country.

3. Summary of assigned duties:

Within the framework of delegated authority, the consultant is assigned the following responsibilities:

1. Conduct a comprehensive review of the current status of the national public health systems capacity and diagnosis its weaknesses and propose affordable solutions to strengthen the national and sub-national capacities for detection and characterization of emerging and other infectious diseases of major public health interest in line with the requirements of APSEDIII and IHR (2005).

2. Work with the existing network of national public health laboratory and regional partners to improve laboratory quality management systems, perform/participate in laboratory evaluations, training and capacity building, and external quality assessment programs.

3. Assist PNG to develop and establish protocols for collection, storage, and shipping of laboratory specimens within the country and to international reference laboratories.

4. Provide technical assistance and capacity building support to national reference laboratories for diagnosis of infectious diseases and AMR.

5. Provide oversight, technical assistance, and capacity building support to establish, strengthen and expand national genome sequencing surveillance network in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

6. Liaise with national laboratories and international/regional reference laboratories including WHO collaborating centers.

7. Support response to outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases and public health emergencies in collaboration with other relevant UN agencies and partners, supporting PNG to strengthen its laboratory-based component of outbreak investigations.

8. Strengthen capacity of national laboratories and improve access of subnational laboratories for the identification of AMR in human pathogens, including the whole genome sequencing where appropriate

9. Provide technical support for laboratory systems strengthening in line with APSED III, taking an all-hazards approach and, where appropriate, applying One Health approach.

10. Provide advice on priority investments to make regarding new technologies related to laboratory investigation of outbreaks of emerging and other infectious diseases and public health emergencies.

11. Upon request, provide technical support, backstopping and gap-filling for emergency related activities at country level and or perform other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Outputs:

Deliverable 1: To conduct a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the current country public health laboratory capacity to support preparedness for public health emergencies; and

Deliverable 2: Assist the development of the country capacity, to plan and implement critical capacities to detect and respond to major public health threats as stated by the IHR.

Other Deliverables:

• Monthly progress report
• Submit End of Mission Report towards the end of the consultancy assignment.

4. Competencies:

· Teamwork

· Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

· Communication

· Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

· Ensure effective use of resources

5. Functional Skills and Knowledge:

· Excellent knowledge of microbiology and its application for laboratory diagnosis and outbreak investigation

· Knowledge of international public health laboratory systems including quality systems and external quality assessment schemes, especially in developing countries

· Knowledge of One Health approach to infectious disease and its concepts

· Ability to assess laboratory capacity and find solutions to fill the gaps

· Ability to establish collaborations and mobilize partnerships to strengthen and expand networks, including the regional genomic surveillance network

· Planning, management, and analytical skills, with the ability to foster consensus and team spirit

· Ability to work flexibly, autonomous, and efficiently, in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to adapt to shifting priorities

· Demonstrated ability to use and make sense of complex data and/or information to effectively solve problems and contribute to public health decision-making

· Strong writing skills including for presentations, proposals, concept notes, reports, and other documents

· Excellent communication, interpersonal and diplomatic skills

· Experience synthesizing information and communicating effectively in a timely manner to broad and diverse audiences

· Strong commitment to international health

· Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational background and maintain a high standard of personal conduct

6. Education Qualifications:

Essential:

· Advanced degree in the area of health laboratory sciences or related field

Desirable:

· Advance degree or training in public health, epidemiology, infectious disease, or molecular biology

· Certified training or qualifications in laboratory techniques and/or biosafety

7. Experience:

Essential:

· At least seven (7) years of practical and operational application and management of laboratory services, laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases at public health and clinical laboratories including exposure at national and international levels. Relevant experience in infection control, outbreak and or emergency response.

Desirable:

· Experience in working in a public health laboratory. Experience in planning and conducting training activities. Experience in developing countries setting in the area of surveillance and response to emerging and/or re-emerging infectious diseases. Previous relevant international experience of working for WHO in developing country context. Previous work experience in Asia is an asset.

8. Language:

· Expert level in written and spoken English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN language is an advantage

9. Other Skills:

· Proficient in standard MS Office software applications particularly the use of database, spreadsheet and statistical programs. Excellent presentation skills.

10. Planned timelines:

Start date: 1 July 2023

End date: 31 December 2023

11. Place of assignment: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

12. Medical or Microbiology studies certificate: required

13. Travel: Consultant might be required to travel locally

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.
• 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. 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 WHO and the Consultant.
• 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 in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.
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Added 11 months ago - Updated 10 months ago - Source: who.int