Laboratory Specialist

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 74,649 USD and 97,747 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 mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacities of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.The Programme supports countries and coordinates international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. The objectives of the Country Readiness Strengthening Department include the development and strengthening of core national capacities necessary to mitigate and respond to emergency risks and vulnerabilities. The Department prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low capacity countries. The Public Health Laboratory Strengthening (PHL) Unit develops global strategies, mechanisms, guidance documents, manuals, and learning programmes aiming at strengthening public health laboratory policies,governance and regulations, infrastructure, workforce, networking, quality,safety, and diagnostic capacity for epidemic-prone diseases. The unit provides leadership and coordination across partners and regional offices to propose interventions aiming at ensuring that public health laboratory systems are ready to operate in a safe, secure, timely and reliable manner for the detection of, and response to disease outbreaks and other emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the Unit Head, Public Health Laboratory Strengthening and in close collaboration with PHL unit staff members, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Provide technical input to the work program in the area of laboratory systems strengthening; 2. Conduct capacity building in the area of public health laboratory strengthening; 3. Support development or revision and dissemination of relevant guidelines, training materials or tools and provide technical expertise for their further implementation at regional and country levels; 4. Support the development of work plans and monitor budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities; 5. Respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, techniques and procedures; 6. Participate in outreach activities concerning public health laboratory strengthening; prepareand deliver oral presentations; compile, prepare and distribute related informational materials; 7. Exchange information with counterparts in technical departments at HQ, Regional and Country Offices,and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) on implementation of public health laboratory strengthening activities; 8. Review and ensure quality assurance and relevance of contractual engagements with partners and institutions and make recommendations regarding WHO's support; 9. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A first level university degree in medicine, microbiology,pharmacy or related life sciences.

Experience

Essential: At least five years of experience in clinical, public health or research laboratories, or laboratory capacity building, of which 3 years at international level.

Desirable: Experience of work in an international organization.

Skills

Excellent knowledge in clinical or public health laboratory. Knowledge of laboratory and diagnostics systems, especially in developing countries. Knowledge of WHO mandate, policies and processes. Planning and analytical skills, with the ability to foster consensus and team spirit. Interpersonal and diplomatic skills. Strong commitment to international health.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

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

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 62,692 (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 1667 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.

• 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.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• 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 has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

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