Job Vacancy at World Health Organization (WHO) – Technical Officer (Laboratory)

The objective of the Health Security and Emergencies 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 team Lead, and the direct supervision of the Laboratory Team Lead, the incumbent will coordinate and guide the process of establishing the bacteriology unit at Makeni Government Hospital Laboratory, as well as contribute to national capacity building for bacteriology testing. He/she will support the Directorate of Laboratory Diagnostics and Blood services of the MoHS to institute a functional and resilient bacteriology system in the country capable of providing accurate and reliable results, including for antimicrobial resistance surveillance:The bacteriologist will perform the following key activities:1. 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, develop 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

• Support certified training for Laboratory Scientists to build national capacity5. Provide on-site comprehensive capacity building with establishing a bacteriology unit at Makeni Government Hospital Laboratory, including specimen collection, microscopy, culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), quality management systems and data management.6. Provide on-the-bench training, coaching and capacity building on bacteriology to laboratory staff7. Review and support the development of standardized training materials, Standard operating procedures and bench aids for an intensive short course in microbiology.8. Develop and strengthen all elements of quality management systems to ensure accuracy and reliability of all results.9. Strengthen biosafety and waste management system for the bacteriology unit10. Develop systems for AMR surveillance, data collection, analysis and reporting to GLASS.11. Build technical capacity for stock monitoring, and compile procurement lists and specifications of reagents, equipment and consumables to support the bacteriology unit.12. Liaise with WHO procurement officers to ensure timely ordering and delivery of required items.13. Provide monthly reports including scheduled internal audit to the Laboratory team lead on progress of implementation.14. Prepare laboratory for external quality audits 15. Participate in monthly National technical team meetings 16. Provide technical support with capacity building efforts, as required by the Laboratory team lead.17. Perform any other duty assigned by the supervisor(s).

Education

Essential: University degreein microbiology, biomedical sciences, medical laboratory sciences or laboratory medicine, from a recognized university.

Desirable: Training in laboratory management, laboratory quality system, global antimicrobial resistance surveillance system (GLASS), or public health-related fields . Master's degree in public health or any of medical laboratory sciences is an added advantage.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience, working in the field of Medical Laboratory Science or Public Health Laboratories, at national and international level
• Demonstrated experience in working in Microbiology laboratories and experience in setting up and managing bacteriology laboratories.
• Good knowledge of WHO Antimicrobial resistance policies and guidelines
• Experience with establishing laboratory-based AMR surveillance systems and reporting to WHO GLASS.

Desirable: Experience working in Laboratory Strengthening in low resource settings.

Skills

--> Strong technical skills and knowledge in establishing systems for Bacteriology and AMR testing --> Ability to plan and implement processes within a highly demanding environment --> Strong organizational, management and communication skills, and ability to negotiate with national stakeholders and partners--> Ability to exercise leadership and to work effectively with national staff and partners--> Proven ability to plan, execute, supervise and manage a bacteriology laboratory . Demonstrated ability to produce results, while respecting WHO's professional, ethical and legal framework

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Ensuring the effective use of resources

Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

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 60,962 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2576 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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.
• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested individuals should click on the button below to apply.