Lab Technical Officer (Sequencing)

Overview

Provide technical support and mentorship for NGS sequencing in Ukraine.

You have:

• University degree (Master’s level or above) in genetics, biology or medical virology or medical bacteriology from an accredited/recognized institute.
• At least two years' experience in planning, managing and implementing laboratory investigations including experience at national level. Prior experience in planning and conducting training activities.
• Experience in the practical and operational application and management of laboratory services in the area of NGS sequencing (3-5 years).
• Experience in Next-generation sequencing on Thermo Ion GeneStudio S5 System and NGS data analysis.
• Experience in NGS automation and real-time PCR.
• Experience in development of SOPs in the area of NGS.
• Experience in establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for NGS sequencing.
• Experience in training, supervising and coordinating the work of laboratory staff.
• Expert knowledge of English.
• Expert knowledge of Ukrainian.

Contract

This is a NO-B contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 3,231 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

WHO is closely working with the Government of Ukraine to respond to the public health and humanitarian crises as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemics and military offensive in the country. In Ukraine, capacity of the next-generation sequencing (NGS) in public health domain is currently limited. NGS sequencing of pathogens in public health domain is provided only by the Ukrainian Public Health Center. Currently, the focus is on SARS-COV-2 sequencing, but there is also the need to sequence other infectious agents. The next NGS sequencers are planned to be installed at regional laboratory hubs (Ternopil, Dnipro and Odesa OCDCPs). The NGS technology is very complex and substantial support is required in terms of successful launch of the NGS laboratory, continuous hands-on training, rapid scaling-up of the number of whole-genome sequences, bioinformatics, and timely upload resulted sequences to the public databases. UPHC developed the National Sequencing Strategy in summer 2021, however the document should be revised and updated with the new data, expanding for more pathogens including the AMR.

Reporting to the Technical Officer, Laboratories, and under the leadership of the Health Information Pillar Lead, the incumbent will be responsible to provide continuous technical mentorship, troubleshooting and hands-on trainings to the sequencing laboratories in the public health domain of Ukraine. Additionally, the officer will be responsible for conducting regular assessments of needs in terms of reagents, consumables, and equipment needed to perform NGS sequencing at maximum capacity and support development of the technical specifications and selection of the relevant equipment and reagents. S/he will provide technical support to Ukrainian Public Health Center (UPHC) to increase number of sequenced samples for COVID-19 and/or influenza and/or other priority infectious diseases and/or contribute to the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genomic surveillance and ensure timely submission of UPHC sequences of SARS-COV-2 samples into the GISAID database.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme.

1. Provide technical support to Public Health Center (UPHC) to scale up sequencing capacity for COVID-19 and/or influenza and/or other priority infectious diseases and contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genomic surveillance;

2. Provide continuous technical mentorship, troubleshooting and hands-on trainings to the sequencing laboratories in the public health domain;

3. Conduct regular field visits to assess and build the NGS capacity of regional laboratories as part of sequencing scale up plan, and evaluate their performance;

4. Support Ukraine Public Health Center with development of sequencing plan for priority pathogens as identified by the epi surveillance team and contribute to the revision/update the National Sequencing Strategy of Ukraine if requested;

5. Conduct regular assessments of needs in terms of reagents, consumables, and equipment to perform NGS sequencing at maximum capacity, conduct costing and budgeting, and support development of the technical specifications and selection of the relevant equipment and reagents;

6. Ensure timely publication of sequences of relevant infection disease agents in the public database(s) including GISAID;

7. Provide technical advice in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for all stages of NGS and related operations.

8. Support collaboration with the international partners in the NGS technical area;

9. Update and maintain the related reporting and information systems, documenting the response and laboratory strengthening activities, as and when required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Master’s level or above) in genetics, biology or medical virology or medical bacteriology from an accredited/ recognized institute.

Desirable: Advanced University degree (Master’s level or above) in genetics, biology or medical virology or medical bacteriology from an accredited/ recognized institute. Certified training or specialization in laboratory genetics and bioinformatics.

Experience

Essential: At least Two years' experience in planning, managing and implementing laboratory investigations including experience at national level. Prior experience in planning and conducting training activities

• Experience in the practical and operational application and management of laboratory services in the area of NGS sequencing (3-5 years)

• Experience in Next-generation sequencing on Thermo Ion GeneStudio S5 System and NGS data analysis

• Experience in NGS automation and real-time PCR

• Experience in development of SOPs in the area of NGS

• Experience in establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for NGS sequencing.

• Experience in training, supervising and coordinating the work of laboratory staff

Desirable: Previous experience in UN organizations/agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations, international institutions or nongovernmental organizations, particularly in developing countries. Experience in providing trainings on NGS.

Skills

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork;

• Producing result;

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;

• Communication;

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Proven ability to analyze laboratory activities in NGS sequencing and GMP management in order to develop innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement.

• Sound knowledge in NGS sequencing technique and NGS data analysis, capable to train others and provide mentoring.

• Sound knowledge of NGS system ThermoFisher Scientific Ion GeneStudio S5, Ion One Touch 2, Ion Chef System, Illumina MiSeq System.

• Sound knowledge in molecular biology and PCR.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Ukrainian.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 37,537 (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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

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

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

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States

https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to

reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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