National Professional Officer - TB Laboratory

Contract

This is a NO-C 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 3,598 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

Laboratories and laboratory networks are a fundamental component of tuberculosis (TB) control, providing testing for diagnosis, surveillance and treatment monitoring at every level of the health-care system. New initiatives and resources to strengthen laboratory capacity and implement rapid and new diagnostic tests for TB calls for the recognition that laboratories are systems that require quality standards, appropriate human resources, and attention to safety in addition to supplies and equipment. To prepare the laboratory networks for new diagnostics and expanded capacity, there is need to focus efforts on strengthening quality management systems (QMS) through additional resources for external quality assessment programmes for microscopy, culture, drug susceptibility testing (DST) and molecular diagnostics. QMS should also promote development of accreditation programmes to ensure adherence to standards to improve both the quality and credibility of the laboratory system within TB programmes.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technical guidance on TB Lab Strengthening Program, networking and external quality assurance.
2. Provide technical guidance on the implementation of GeneXpert and other new TB rapid diagnostic tools where necessary and monitor the progress.
3. Provide technical advice to the TB programme on improving the laboratory systems as well as improving the use of laboratory related data for decision making.
4. Guide the development of TB laboratory strengthening/strategic plans within the context of the national laboratory strategies.
5. Coordinate the development of TB Laboratory guidelines, SOPs, forms and other documents as necessary in line with international practices.
6. Oversee the implementation and monitoring of laboratory quality management activities.
7. Assess whether microbiology test for TB diagnosis are carried out in accordance with TB Laboratory guidelines. Improve performance of external quality assurance on TB microscopy/culture/ drug susceptibility testing (DST).
8. Builds capacity of healthcare workers and partner organizations through training and mentorship.
9. In coordination with RO, facilitate training on TB Lab techniques such as microscopy/culture/DST at the country level, etc.
10. Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First level university degree in medicine or medical bacteriology or virology from an accredited/ recognized institute.

Desirable: Post graduate degree in public health or related field. Certified training or qualification in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/or epidemiology and laboratory techniques.

Experience:

Essential: At least five years of experience in practical and operational application and management of laboratory services, laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases at the national level.

Desirable:

• Previous experience with WHO, in UN organizations/agencies, international institutions, health cluster partners, humanitarian organizations or nongovernmental organizations.
• Experience in establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for microbiology and/or detection of infectious diseases.
• Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings at national and regional levels.
• Experience in evaluating novel diagnostics assays for emergency use authorization during outbreak response.
• Some related experience in outbreaks and/or health emergency response of international impact.

Skills

• Proven ability to analyse laboratory activities in diagnostic, biosafety and quality management, in order to develop innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement.
• Sound knowledge in biosafety standards, methodology and techniques in health laboratories, including those in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology and biosafety.
• Sound knowledge in Quality Assurance Systems for laboratories

WHO Competencies:

• Producing results
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Fostering Integration and teamwork
• Communication in a credible and effective way

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of the English.

Desirable: Working knowledge of Amharic, Knowledge of French or other UN language.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 28,573.00 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

Additional Information

• Duty station – Addis Ababa
• Candidates should indicate their preferred duty station in the letter of their application
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
• 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.

• 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.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted.

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

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.