Onsite
South Sudan
3 months
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1
assignment(s)

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General
Description of assignment title
Laboratory Technician

Assignment country
South Sudan

Expected start date
20/03/2024

Sustainable Development Goal
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category
International UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity
UNMISS

Type
Onsite

Expected end date
30/06/2024

Number of assignments
1

Duty stations
Wau

Details
Mission and objectives
Under Resolution 2677 (2023), the Security Council determined that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region.

The Council extended the UNMISS mandate until 15 March 2024. It also emphasized that the Mission should continue advancing its three-year strategic vision defined in resolution 2567 (2021) to prevent a return to civil war, build durable peace and support inclusive, accountable governance as well as free, fair and peaceful elections in accordance with the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, UNMISS is therefore authorized to use all necessary means to implement its mandate which includes:

(a) Protection of civilians
(b) Creating conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance
(c) Supporting the Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and the Peace Process
(d) Monitoring, investigating, and reporting on violations of humanitarian and human rights law

The overall ceiling for uniformed personnel is maintained at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 corrections officers.

Please refer to https://unmiss.unmissions.org/mandate for more information.

Context
UNMISS was established in 2011 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO); subsequently, UNMISS mandate has been renewed through resolutions 2057 (2012), 2109 (2013), 2155 (2014), 2187 (2014), 2223 (2015), 2241 (Dec. 2015), 2304 (2016) and 2327 (2016), 2392 (Dec. 2017), 2406 (Mar. 2018), 2459 (Mar. 2019), 2514 (Mar. 2020), 2567 (Mar. 2021), 2625 (Mar. 2022), 2677 (Mar. 2023)

Task description
Under the direct supervision of Medical Officer’s and guidance of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) / Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Collects samples from patients for Biochemistry, Hematology, Parasitological, Bacteriology, Immuno-Serology, sputum, and other body fluids and conduct routine and other tests that the laboratory facilities can accommodate.
• Collecting swabs for Ag/rtPCR tests (COVID-19) to perform the tests and transportation of samples as needed (like in EVD etc., outbreaks).
• Assisting medical team in contact tracing for communicable diseases.
• Manages the day-to-day administration of the laboratory including proper filing of patient records in the data management system.
• Verifies and releases quality and reliable clinical test results of patients to Medical Officers.
• Identifies and recommends quality control mechanisms and design laboratory modules and work plan that ensures safety and proper biohazard waste management.
• Ensures proper handling and storage of human blood products meant for transfusion.
• Ensures proper record keeping and strict confidentiality of patients’ records.
• Monitors laboratory inventory and prepares requisitions for laboratory reagents and laboratory consumables in collaboration with the Pharmacy unit.
• Ensures proper recording and reporting of laboratory data capturing the daily, monthly, and annual laboratory tests performed.
• Contributes insights on various hospital-based infection control measures.
• Performs a variety of procedures using established laboratory techniques on both manual and automated laboratory equipment.
• Ensures the cleanliness, maintenance, and calibration of laboratory equipment, as well as reporting any equipment malfunction and initiating repairs, when necessary, by qualified repair technician.
• Acts in a professional manner, reflecting the mission’s, philosophy, and values.
• Trains, assists, and supervises the daily activities of the Laboratory Assistant (if any) assigned to the medical section.
• Performs any other duties as may be required by the Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, or medical officer.

Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
5 years of experience in clinical laboratory science in a tropical country as a Registered Medical Technologist is required
• Experienced in UN mission or another international agency is desirable.
• Should have solid computer skills, including full proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word etc.) and other IT applications and office technology equipment.
• Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
• Should have sound security awareness.

Area(s) of expertise
Health

Driving license
Manual Transmission Required

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in medical technology (Clinical Laboratory Science)

Competencies and values
• Integrity and professionalism: high degree of personal initiative and willingness to accept wide responsibilities; ability to take ownership, and work independently under established procedures.
• Accountability: ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• Planning, 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 work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: 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.
• Communication; proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills.
Flexibility and willingness to live and work in hazardous and remote places, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the Mission area.
Commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance, and commitment towards the UN core values.

Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Living conditions vary between UNMISS duty stations. Each duty station where UNMISS has a field presence has basic residential camp facilities, which includes running water and electricity. Candidates should be aware that accommodation may be austere with the possibility of water shortages and power blackouts. On arrival in Juba accommodation will be on a share basis. Ablutions will also be shared. As the accommodation situation improves single unit accommodation, with an attached ablution, should become available in all locations. Hard wall accommodation is available in Juba.

All UNMISS duty stations apart from Entebbe, Uganda are considered non – family duty stations. The security level of UNMISS duty stations is classified by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) who will brief on arrival. A number of locations in South Sudan are prone to conflict.

Primary health care services (preventive and curative) are provided in 11 United Nations Owned Equipment (UNOE) Level-I clinics, 21 Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) Level-I clinics, 4 COE Level-II medical facilities within the mission area and the establishment of contractual agreements for Level-III and Level-IIII care outside the mission area. The 4 Level-II facilities available in Juba, Bor, Malakal and Wau, run by the Troop Contributing Countries (TCC), take referrals from the Level-I clinics and provide hospital-based care.

The climate is tropical with a rainy season in many areas, which should normally span from around April to October. Ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions is essential.

Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy