Laboratory Consultant- Roster

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Tuesday 12 Oct 2021 at 21:59 UTC

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Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

  1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the national public health laboratory in the country for providing timely and reliable results preliminary for the purpose of disease control and prevention,

  1. Background

National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) continues to play a critical role in all diseases control and prevention programmes by testing diseases of public health importance, providing timely and accurate information that will help to make an evidence-based decision in surveillance, outbreak investigation, response and monitoring. The WHO Country Office for Somalia is currently faced with a significant surge in work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to leading the coordinated response efforts of the UN Country Team, it is also providing close support to the to the Federal Ministry of Health-led preparedness and response activities. To date, there has been three confirmed case of COVID-19 in Somalia, with more expected.

In view of the above needs, WHO Somalia intends to hire a consultant with a high professional qualification and experience in Public Health Laboratory.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

To be decided

  1. Work to be performed

Output 1: to enhance the capacity of the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) to establish, expand and maintain WHO standard laboratory testing services in the country for the diagnosis of public health priority pathogens to enable the laboratory to support outbreak detection and response in the country

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Deliverables:

1.1 Build NPHRL capacities to ensure professional practice, service delivery, appropriate scientific and technical performance and biosafety/biosecurity measures according to standard guidelines. A capacity building plan developed and implemented)

1.2 Develop COVID-19 testing capacity and influenza surveillance tools.

1.3 Recommend documentation process of laboratory activities, especially the completion of the laboratory strategy and implementation plan.

1.4 Recommend structure for management processes such as supply chain monitoring plan for the laboratories.

1.5 Conduct a thorough review and quality checks for basic plans/activities of the laboratory, identify gaps and provide expert views on improvement.

1.6 Coordinate development and review of laboratory quality manuals.

1.7 Provide technical advice to nationals on how to ensure that the hygiene and safety protocols both for individual as well as for collective protection (i.e. required clothes and equipment, hygiene and universal precautions, etc.) are implemented in laboratories and that the cleaning personnel is informed about biohazards.

1.8 Provide technical opinion and advise to nationals on how to compile , analyze and report on laboratories activities and results to the medical staff and the immediate supervisor providing data on complications, the total number and types of tests and in general, any problem with the staff and / or laboratory material. Also participating in the development of epidemiological reports relating to Federal Ministry of Health services.

1.9 Build national capacities on managing laboratory activities in other states.

1.10 Engage widely with NPHRL laboratory service users to seek input into setting strategic objectives and identifying new ideas and improved ways of working.

1.11 Provide technical insights in the development of different laboratory guidelines, manuals, training curricula, standard operating procedures as well as job aids/formats related to accreditation and laboratory quality assurance

1.12 Organize formal and on the job trainings to laboratory personnel at national and sub national levels

1.13 Conduct national laboratory accreditation assessment and support the accredited the laboratories

1.14 Provide technical assistance in establishing influenza testing in the three labs in Mogadishu, Garowe and Hargeisa, with the required SOPs, tools and training

  1. Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:

Responsible Officer:

Solomon Chane, Public Health Officer

Email:

[email protected]

Manager:

Dr.Mirza Mashrur, Acting WHE Team Lead

Email:

[email protected]

  1. Specific requirements

Educational requirements:

Essential: Minimum first University degree in Laboratory science, another relevant field from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable: Advanced University degree or training in Laboratory science, Public health, Epidemiology is an asset.

Experience requirements:

  • At least five years of relevant experience of implementing/establishing and strengthening of public health reference laboratory, establishment of public health laboratories in low middle-income countries
  • Familiarity with the core components of Laboratory Information Management System, Biosafety and Biosecurity is essential

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

  1. Reviewing and technical analysis
  2. Analytical writing
  3. Excellent communication skills operating within a multicultural team
  4. Ability to function independently and drive required change in implementation

Language requirements:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English

  1. Place of assignment

Mogadishu, Somalia with frequent travel to field locations

  1. Medical clearance

The consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness to work

  1. Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel inside Somalia as and when needed for better coordination of the assigned tasks and functions

If travel occurred, all travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

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 consultancy. 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice - https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values.

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.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: who.int