UNV Medical Technologist/Laboratory Manager

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.

•Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); •Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives; reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. •Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site. •Promote or advise local groups on the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. •Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers, fellow UNV volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis. •Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans.

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) the UNV volunteer will undertake the following tasks: •Review and recommend improvement of the functional capacity of the laboratory unit. •Ensure quality management of the UNAMA medical laboratory following ISO 15189 standards •Develop laboratory SOPs for basic testing procedures in all the regional clinics and train the regional medical doctors in basic laboratory techniques. •When possible, train national staff in the different laboratory techniques to enhance the quality of work that are in accordance with international standards. •Conduct daily routine examinations of Blood (full Hemogram, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, WBC (differential count), RBC, ESR, VDRL, Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, Uric Acid: Urine (albumin, sugar, specific gravity, microscopy): stool (parasitology) and sputum and other tests that the laboratory facility can accommodate. •Responsible for the inventory of yearly requirements of all equipment, reagents, and other supplies needed in the laboratory and ensuring its timely submission to the CMO. •Responsible for all laboratory equipment and for reporting all malfunction of equipment as well as initiating repairs, when necessary, by qualified laboratory repair technicians. •Liaise with the Pharmacist in preparing monthly expense medical associated financial reports for submission to the CMO. •Liaise with the authorized JMS medical contractors in ensuring that PCR services are available to staff members when needed. •Prepare and submit medical insurance claim forms to CIGNA arising from staff clinic visits. •Perform preventive maintenance on all the medical laboratory equipment. •Properly register daily all laboratory tests performed. •Maintain records of all activities in the laboratory and provide monthly statistics to the CMO.

•Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in the area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. •Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. •Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in the area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in the work environment. •Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. •Teamwork and respect for diversity: the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender. •Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote, and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary.

The incumbent must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who supports UNAMA with professionalism, dedication and client orientation. The following qualifications are required: •Graduate of Medical Technology •Passed the National Licensure Examination •Has received laboratory training in a reputable hospital or in any laboratory facilities. •Has 5 years experience of work in a clinic or hospital laboratory facilities. •Sound security awareness •Good command of written and spoken English. Knowledge of Dari, Pashtu and / or Farsi would be beneficial but not essential. •Flexibility and a willingness to live and work in hazardous condition involving physical hardship and little comfort. •Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.”

Results/Expected Outputs:

•Efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to patients visiting the UNOCA Clinic •A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.

UNAMA has three different locations in Kabul: most of the substantive offices, including the SRSG’s, are located at the so-called Compound B, which is adjacent to UNDP and in the Alpha compound – both close to the city centre, while most of the administrative and technical support offices are located at the UNOCA compound on Jalalabad Road, at some distance from central Kabul.

Stringent security measures are in place throughout the country and UNV volunteers, as other UN staff, are quite limited in all Afghan duty stations when it comes to movement (walking virtually not allowed) The movement is done inside the “green box” only mostly in armored vehicles with local drivers. Many places are off limits (including restaurants). There is also a curfew throughout the country, generally from 11 pm to 5.30 am, but this can vary between duty stations.

There are several security measures to be complied with (the so -called Minimum Operational Residential Security Standards or MORSS) before moving into any accommodation. The UNAMA Security Section provides these guidelines during the initial security briefing upon arrival in the Mission area. Upon arrival, volunteers are accommodated at the UNV Guesthouse within the UNOCA compound for a fixed charge of US$ 10 per night for a room, exclusive food. The facilities (kitchens and bathrooms) are shared. There is the possibility of individual accommodation in full equipped containers, also in the UNOCA premises, at arrival, upon availability. Inside the UNOCA compound are two cafeterias and two small restaurants, and a small shop which has a small variety of imported canned and frozen food on offer. There is also a social centre, a gym hall and a small library with books and DV Ds, run by the Welfare Office, within the same compound.

It is possible for UNV volunteers to live outside of UNAMA’s provided accommodation but for security reasons, UN staff * are recommended to stay in UN cleared guesthouses (monthly cost ranging between US$ 1,000 -1,200 for the most modest rooms with board).

In the provinces, the situation is quite different, as the UN staff * there are confined to guesthouses. In most of the regions, both electricity and water are readily available, although water can sometimes run low as a result of severe droughts in the last couple of years. Most guesthouses have secured water (e.g., through a water well in the compound) and generators in the event of a power failure. Some degree of medical service is provided in all UNAMA duty stations. There is a UN Clinic in UNAMA / UNOCA complex, and access is granted in Kabul to other private international clinics.

Most produce/staples are common in the markets, e.g., rice, meat, vegetables, cooking oil, salt, etc. Kabul and Mazar-i-Shariff have a few UN - cleared supermarkets. Summer in Afghanistan is hot and dry, but winter is the opposite – cold and wet. Therefore, both summer and winter clothing and comfortable boots with insulation are necessary. Most common consumer articles are available in Kabul (and in the regions). Contact with and outreach to the local community is unusually limited. As mentioned, many places are off–limits and the choice of recreational facilities are very poor. For all these reasons, bringing a stock of books, DVDs/VCDs, computer games, etc. is highly recommended.

Living allowances are paid in US$ at the end of each month, but bank transfers by UNAMA to accounts abroad are possible. There is a Western Union money transfer office in Kabul and Standard Chartered Bank offices are operating downtown as well as in the UNAMA compound.