Laboratory Consultant

Purpose of consultancy

The mission of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 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. Within WHE, the “Strengthening national capacities against COVID-19 and other public health emergencies” project funded by EU and implemented by Ministry of Health (MoH) with the technical collaboration of WHO Country Office Ankara, aims to further strengthen laboratory capacities for diagnosis and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging pathogens of epidemic potential, reinforcing health security in Türkiye and to strengthen laboratory systems for improved preparedness and response to public health threats in the earthquake affected areas.

The consultant will work in close collaboration with the staff of the WHO Country Office in Turkey, WHO Regional Officer for Europe and WHO Headquarters. The consultant will act as the international subject matter expert for laboratory within the team. S/he will establish and maintain collaborative networks involving national and international organizations, governmental and nongovernmental institutions, professional and scientific societies, liaise with other units/teams at the country office, respective regional office and HQ.

Background

Within the framework of strengthening national capacities against COVID-19 and other public health emergencies project and in alignment with the EU contribution agreement the consultant will provide technical expertise and operational support to the Ministry of Health and partners in implementing laboratory related activities in compliance with the WHO recommended standards. The consultancy will require travel to field with a strong focus on laboratory system strengthening in the earthquake affected provinces of Türkiye.

The consultant will contribute to further strengthen laboratory capacities for diagnosis and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging pathogens of epidemic potential, reinforcing health security in Türkiye and to strengthen the laboratory systems for improved preparedness and response to public health threats in the earthquake affected areas.

Deliverables

The following specific tasks are expected from the consultant:

1. Provide expert technical guidance for laboratory and surveillance within the Incident management system for the earthquake recovery at the WHO country office Türkiye throughout the contract duration.
2. Provide technical and operational support to strengthen the laboratory system in the earthquake affected provinces by providing at least four on-site trainings and participate in at least four mentoring and supervisions field visits over a six-month period.
3. Coordinate and provide expert technical guidance to develop an annual costed action plan for the National genomic surveillance strategy.
4. Enhance the institutional and policy capacity of laboratory and surveillance system by leading the development of at least four laboratory-related guidelines and standard operating procedures.
5. Coordinate and oversee the execution of a large-scale procurement for laboratory reagents for public health laboratories in the earthquake affected area to ensure delivery before March 2024.
6. Assist with the development of workplans and activity budgets, and support monitoring, evaluation and reporting of project implementation consistent with Regional and Global strategies.

Qualifications

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Advanced University degree (Master’s level or above) in life science, biomedical science, medicine or medical virology from an accredited/ recognized institute.

Desirable: Training in genomic sequencing, bioinformatics, data management. Training in Public Health or Public health laboratory practice is an added advantage. Certified training or qualification in molecular biology, genomic surveillance and bioinformatics.

Experience

Essential:

• At least seven years of national and international experience in infectious diseases laboratory science with special focus on high threat pathogens including at least three years' of international experience.
• Expert knowledge in application of molecular techniques for genomic surveillance.
• Proven track record of successfully contributing as a laboratory science specialist at the international level.
• Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings.
• Experience in strengthening laboratory quality management systems.

Desirable:

• Experience in outbreaks and/or health emergency response of international impact.
• Experience in establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for microbiology and/or detection of infectious diseases.
• Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English is must, both oral and written.

Location

On site: WHO, CO, TUR Ankara Office, Türkiye

Travel

To support project missions the consultant is expected to travel, particularly to the earthquake affected areas.

Remuneration

a. Pay band level B: 450 USD per day / 9,000 USD per month

b. Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited): currency and rate Consultants who are required to perform all or part of the work at another location than their place of residence, may receive an amount to cover living expenses, up to a maximum of the official per diem rate for the location. This amount should be negotiated by the hiring manager.

c. Expected duration of contract: 6 Months full-time from 15 October 2023 to 15 April 2023

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.
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