National Professional Officer (Labs)

Contract

This is a NO-B contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about NO-B contracts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the Health Security and Emergencies (HSE) Cluster is to contribute to the reduction of the health consequences of public health emergencies, natural disasters, conflicts and minimize social and economic impact in the African Region through prevention, early warning, early detection, and rapid and effective response operations in acute and protracted emergencies arising from any hazard with health consequences.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the head of the WHO Country office in Sierra Leone, the supervision of the HSE Cluster Lead and the direct supervision from the Laboratory Team lead, the National Professional Officer, (Bacteriologist) will:1. Participate in the conduct baseline assessments of the bacteriology laboratories and AMR surveillance by conducting quality audits in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Sanitation2. Based on quality audit reports, support development a quality improvement plan and institute corrective actions for non-conformities, in collaboration with the MoHS laboratory quality team3. Train selected laboratory scientists and institute QMS within the laboratory system 4. Provide on-site comprehensive capacity building to strengthen bacteriology units at Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHRL), Connaught Government Hospital Laboratory, ODCH/PCMH Microbiology laboratory, and other selected sites, in specimen collection, macroscopy, microscopy, culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), quality management systems and data management.5. Provide on-the-bench training, coaching and capacity building on bacteriology to laboratory staff6. Review and support the development of standardized training materials, Standard operating procedures and bench aids in microbiology7. Develop and strengthen all elements of quality management systems to ensure accuracy and reliability of all results at designated laboratories8. Strengthen biosafety and waste management system for the bacteriology units at designated laboratories9. Support development systems for AMR surveillance, data collection, analysis and reporting to GLASS10. Build technical capacity for stock monitoring, and compile procurement lists and specifications of reagents, equipment and consumables to support bacteriology units11. Provide monthly reports including scheduled internal audit to the Laboratory team lead on progress of implementation12. Prepare laboratories for external quality audits 13. Participate in monthly National technical team meetings 14. Provide technical support with capacity building efforts, as required by the Laboratory team lead.15. Perform any other duty assigned by the supervisor(s).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in microbiology, biomedical sciences, medical laboratory sciences, laboratory medicine or related field, from a recognized university Desirable: Specialized training bacteriology from a recognized University or College

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of experience working in bacteriology or microbiology laboratories, at managerial level Desirable: Experience in providing oversight for bacteriology testing at one or more laboratories

Skills

Strong technical skills and knowledge in the area of bacteriology testing and AMR laboratory surveillanceGood management and leadership skillsAbility to produce results, while respecting WHO's professional, ethical and legal framework

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at SLL 253,561,000 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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'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 is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.