National Consultant Influenza – SARS-CoV-2

Contract

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

Objective of the programme

The objective of the WHO Bangladesh Country Office is to implement the Country Cooperation Strategy by supporting the Bangladesh Government in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national health policies, strategies and plans and developing and managing WHO's technical cooperation programmes. The position is based in strategic priority 2: The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE). The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme is to help countries, and to coordinator international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. The focus of this position is to expedite the end-to-end integration of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza testing, reporting, and sequencing, as to ensure the sustenance of Influenza surveillance activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, while leveraging the system for SARS CoV-2 monitoring.

Description of duties

Under the overall supervision of the TL HSE and direct supervision of WHO National Professional Officer – Emergency Humanitarian Action (EHA), the incumbent will:

• • To support the Input of Sampling strategy variable in GISAID metadata for sequences uploaded so far and prospectively (within 2mo of start of consultancy)
  • To develop the batch upload CSV template that links the labs data management system with the GISAID reporting format (within 1mo of start of consultancy)
  • To upload all WGS sequenced over the period Mar 2020 to date to GISAID including the metadata on sampling strategy variable (within 2mo of start of consultancy)
  • To provide support and monitor the weekly receipt of sentinel surveillance specimens to the NIC
  • To support data management and weekly reporting of multiplex assays test results for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza to FluNet / regional flu platform
  • To support other support required as under the TOR to expedite the integrated testing, reporting of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza and SARS-CoV-2 sequencing

Required Qualifications****:

Education:

Essential: Medical degree from a recognized medical college with valid Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council registration.

Desirable: Postgraduate in public health - master’s in public health (MPH).

Experience:

Essential: At least 3 years of experience in public health in infectious diseases surveillance and/or laboratory support

Desirable: Experience in Microbiology and project management related activities

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• • Ability to employ critical thinking skills and work independently to solve problems and contribute to achievement of deliverables.
  • Skills required in basic computer operating packages (Microsoft word, excel, PowerPoint etc.) and data analysis

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Producing Results

Languages:

Good written and spoken knowledge of Bangla and English

Computer Literacy:

Skills required in basic computer operating packages

Remuneration:

WHO offers locally competitive packages such as:

• Monthly salary: BDT 120,263.00 (SSA – 7 Step I) (non-negotiable)
• Insurance, Leave and Holidays as per WHO rules.

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 or a presentation using computer followed by an interview will be held only for qualifying candidates.
• 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 availability of fund and performance.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• This vacancy is open to Bangladeshi Nationals (all genders) only.
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Any attempt to unduly influence on WHO’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.