Laboratory Officer

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 97,118 USD and 127,169 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 main objective of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme is to help memberstates, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for,detect, rapidly respond to and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Provide technical support for the implementation and timely operational response to outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging diseases and new pathogens, in collaboration with national health officials, including laboratory staff and other partner organizations on:
   • Detection and laboratory diagnosis of high threatpathogens.
   • Proper specimen collection, packaging, transportation and shipment using standard biosafety and bio-security measures.
2. Monitor and analyze the laboratory results forcommunicable diseases especially epidemic-prone diseases along with watertesting data and advise on effective control measures.
3. Contribute effectively to the development of logisticsand procurement plans to ensure laboratories' effective role in detection andmonitoring of communicable diseases threats.
4. Develop national supervisory and monitoring systems toensure proper implementation of laboratory activities.
5. Conduct regular field visits to assess and evaluate the performance of public health laboratories and identify critical areas to strengthen the laboratories' capacity for detection a diagnosis of epidemic pathogens.
6. Conduct laboratory evaluations,trainings and laboratory capacity strengthening activities for the detection of dangerous and emerging pathogens in EMR members states. And update related reporting and information systems.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in health sciences, laboratory sciences or relevant areas Desirable: Postgraduate degree or training in microbiology and molecular biology

Experience

Essential: At least five years' experience in planning, managing and implementing laboratory investigations including international exposure. Prior experience in planning and conducting training activities with regards tohigh threat pathogens. Desirable: Experience working in medical laboratory practice in clinical or research facility or on public health laboratory functions, planning implementation and monitoring of activities at a national level work plan such as an annual national laboratory work plan

Skills

• Broad knowledge of principles, practices, methodology andtechniques in public health, clinical laboratory, surveillance, biosafety and communicable disease control.
• Relevant skills and work experiences on laboratory testing,laboratory training, clinical laboratory management
• Ability to interact with and to advise Government and Ministry of Health counterparts on policy and technical areas related to communicable disease control and to develop effective working relationships with senior decision-makers and in a variety of settings and cultures.

WHO Competencies WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Ensuring the effective use of resources
5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

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

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 64,121 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1240 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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.

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

• 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)are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

• 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• 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.

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

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

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