Technical Officer, Meningitis Laboratory

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Programme is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster in the WHO African region. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control agenda in Africa, and using analytics to inform strategic investments and tailored interventions for disease control. This approach is underpinned by the guiding principles of comprehensive whole of society, people-centered, integrated approaches to disease control. The comprehensive whole of society approaches to disease control involves: (a) coherent implementation of triple response – technical response: implementing diseases specific normative guidance, promoting intervention mixes and deploying medical commodities; health systems response: building capacities of district service delivery systems in disease mapping and stratification, interventions tailoring, and sector/subsector planning; and multi-sectoral response: addressing socio-economic and environmental determinants of diseases through mobilizing non-health sectors, communities and stakeholders; (b) disease control partnership of public and private sectors, health and non-health sectors; and (c) community involvement in targeted high risk communities, focused on managing determinants of diseases, health services demand creation and accountability by local health stewards.

The people centered, integrated approaches to disease control involves: (a) integrated guidance on disease control for each health service delivery platform, a move away from stand-alone disease specific guidance; and (b) integrated and efficient disease control investments in strengthening the capacity of appropriate health services delivery platforms through deployment of appropriate technologies and analytics to guide stratification of disease risks across population groups to develop and deploy comprehensive packages of interventions appropriate to each targeted population group and health service delivery platform, as well as monitor population access, coverage and impact to leave no one behind.

The specific objectives of the UCN cluster to which the VPD program contributes, are to:
(i) provide leadership on disease control coordination, partnership and resource mobilization.
(ii) contribute to the development of WHO disease control technical products, services and tools including adoption of new technologies and innovations.
(iii) support generation and use of strategic information for action and decision making including optimizing investment; and
(iv) provide or facilitate provision of technical support in deployment of WHO technical products and services and institutional capacity building, including support to national disease programs and regulatory authorities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Provide technical expertise to countries in the sub-region to support the definition and implementation of quality-assured WHO endorsed diagnostic technologies with emphasis on quality management systems towards accreditation, including:
o Developing work plans in cooperation with sub-regional, regional and national.
o Establishing, planning, and implementing monitoring and evaluation protocols.
o Developing and reviewing existing guidelines and standard procedures and their implementation at the sub-regional, regional and national levels within the regional and national public health networks;
• Build the capacity of national public health or reference laboratories, to perform laboratory surveillance of priority communicable diseases, confirm etiological agents and monitor antimicrobial resistance, through training and supervision of laboratory technicians and improving quality assurance and control.
• Guide the development and update of norms and standards to improve laboratory technologies, with emphasis on capacity building through training courses on laboratory methodologies, procedures and biosafety aspects based on WHO policies; providing expertise for the development of new and revision of existing guidelines and promoting their implementation.
• Set up functional laboratory services to provide high-level expertise in laboratory diagnostics and quality control including conducting research and training to support these activities.
• Contribute to the establishment and strengthening of partnerships to fully support the joint regional activities of the Global Laboratory Initiatives (GLI) to promote uptake of WHO/AFRO policy guidance and use of GLI laboratory strengthening, including:
o Serving as focal point to coordinate technical assistance and strengthen laboratory capability at the sub-regional, regional and inter-country national levels, in close cooperation with other VPD staff and other clusters as appropriate.
o Lead critical reviews and assessments, documenting key achievements.
o Promote information-sharing on best practices in laboratory technologies through the analysis and interpretation of data and evidence-based results and strategies.
• Provide technical expertise and advice to Member States and partners, regional and sub-regional networks.
• Encourage close collaboration at/between regional, sub-regional and country levels and WHO collaborating centres, including.
o Promotion of Information-sharing through videoconferencing, informal consultations and, as required, inter- and/or sub-regional meetings.
o Ensuring collection, collation and analysis of data from countries and regular reporting on the situation of laboratories at IST level,
o Preparation and submission of annual global progress reports, development and maintenance of up-to-date sub-regional and national databases as part of the development on new/improved tools and strategies.
• Support the development of related work-plans and budgetary proposals as required within the framework of WHO staff Rules and Regulations, financial rules and AFRO accepted procedures.
• Contribute to resource mobilization for the Cluster’s programmes, in collaboration with EPG, ORD and WCOs;
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s degree in bacteriology.
Desirable: Post-graduate training in public health or epidemiology.

Experience

Essential:
• At least seven (7) years’ experience of national and international experience in managing or implementing the technical requirements in the field of laboratory methodologies and procedures.
• Experience in project management of tropical/communicable diseases reference laboratory projects at country level, including project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, quality assurance, research and/or health worker training.

Desirable:

Work experiences that are diverse, incorporating private sector, NGOs, other UN, or governmental Health related agencies will be an advantage.

Skills

Within the context of the Global and Regional Vaccine action plans, demonstrated knowledge of and experience in laboratory methodologies, technologies, procedures and biosafety aspects, complemented by ability to plan, coordinate and implement laboratory protocols at sub-regional level; monitoring and reporting on results, progress, lessons learnt and obstacles.
Proven track record in the assessment of laboratories surveillance, including but not limited to the development and implementation of norms and standards and effective reporting mechanisms and systems, and/or M&E.
Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners in resource-limited contexts; and to participate in resource mobilization and advocacy activities.
Proven interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics. Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

1.Teamwork
2.Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3.Communication
4.Creating a motivating and empowering environment
5.Moving forward in a changing environment.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of French and intermediate knowledge of English. The language requirements are interchangeable.

Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN official languages.

Other skills:

Working level of computer literacy with proven ability to use standard office software packages, including eHealth tools.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 77326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children. You may consult the salary scale on Salary Scales tendersglobal.net ICSC (un.org)

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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
• If 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.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
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• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
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• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected]
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
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• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
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