Laboratory Technical Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.

Description of task

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Technical Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Laboratory Technical Officer will:

• Document the establishment and expansion of laboratory networks testing SARS-COV-2 in EMR;
• Document the WHO Regional Office support provided to countries for COVID-19 diagnosis through the Incident Management Support Team;
• Review and monitor progress of indicators related to SARS-COV-2 testing of the Regional Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19;
• Support conducting Laboratory Community of Practice weekly meetings and documenting proceedings, particularly discussions relevant to EMR countries;
• Prepare and finalize data collection tools for assessment of COVID-19 laboratory diagnostic capacities in EMR countries;
• Map relevant data and data sources on SARS-COV-2 testing and sequencing capacities in the EMR countries and provide regular updates;
• Develop a report on the findings, recommendations and way forward for testing SARS-COV-2 in the EMR based on the assessments conducted;
• Support the laboratory team lead in ad hoc requests related to SARS-COV-2 testing.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Master degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

• Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in virology; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Required experience:

36 Months

Experience remark:

• At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in high threat pathogen laboratory diagnosis or research with demonstrated experience in molecular techniques, next-generation sequencing; experience with surveillance is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;

• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;

• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
• French(Optional), Level - Working Knowledge

Area of expertise:

Medical laboratory testing, Monitoring and evaluation, Development programme management

Area of expertise details:

- Medical laboratory testing.

Driving license:

No

Competencies values:

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Communication, Ethics and Values, Managing Performance, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Technological Awareness, Vision, Working in Teams

Application procedure:

Application procedure * Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool? First register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply. * Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool? First update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to apply. Application deadline: 10 January 2021