Technical Officer Laboratory

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. Within WHE, the strengthening national capacities against COVID-19 and other public health emergencies, project funded by EU and implemented by MoH with the technical collaboration of WHO Country Office Ankara, aims to further strengthen laboratory capacities for diagnosis and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging pathogens of epidemic potential, reinforcing health security in Türkiyeand to strengthen laboratory systems for improved preparedness and response to public health threats in the earthquake affected areas.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the Strengthening national capacities against COVID-19 project and in alignment with the EU contribution agreement, the incumbent will provide technical expertise and operational support to the Ministry of Health and partners in timely responses to outbreaks/epidemics and health emergencies through managing the laboratory related activities in compliance with the WHO recommended standards.

Specific tasks will include:

1. Act as international technical expert for laboratory in the WHO country office Türkiye and within the Incident management system for the earthquake response.

2. Lead technical and operational support to enhance genomic surveillance capacity in Türkiye and expand capacity of public health laboratories in the earthquake affected region to conduct genomic surveillance for a range of priority pathogens.

3. Coordinate and provide expert technical guidance on development and implementation of the National genomic surveillance strategy and costed action plans.

4. Design and deliver capacity building workshops and training initiatives to strengthen the capacity of public health and laboratory staff on next generation sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics and molecular epidemiology and enhance the use of genomic data for public health action.

5. Provide strategic and operational support to strengthen the laboratory system in the earthquake affected provinces to detect public health threats, including vector borne diseases, via workshops, on-site training, and mentoring and supervisions field visits.

6. Enhance the institutional and policy capacity of laboratory and surveillance system by leading the development of strategies, guidelines, standard operating procedures and other national/sub-national guidance documents.

7. Coordinate and oversee execution of large-scale procurements of laboratory equipment and supplies for public health laboratories in the earthquake affected area.

8. Promote collaboration and partnerships on public health diagnostics and genomic surveillance across institutions in Türkiye and internationally.

9. Strengthen coordination and linkage between surveillance and laboratory systems through data sharing field missions, workshops, trainings and overall system design and strengthening.

10. Facilitate generation of lessons learned and sharing of experience on laboratory response to earthquakes and natural disasters through development of publications and hosting national/international conferences and workshops.

11. Technically guide and coordinate technical staff, short-term experts and consultants to ensure high quality implementation of project activities.

12. Maintain regular contacts with the relevant Technical Unit(s) at the WHO Regional for Europe to ensure that the project implementation is consistent with Regional and Global strategies.

13. Support Project Coordinator to ensure that the project implementation is consistent with administrative and financial organizational rules, regulations, and reporting requirements.

14. Assist with the development of workplans and activity budgets, and support monitoring, evaluation and reporting of project implementation.

15. Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree (Master's level or above) in life science, biomedical science, medical microbiology from an accredited/ recognized institute.
Desirable: Certified training or qualification in laboratory techniques for molecular biology, bacteriology, and/or genomic epidemiology. Training in genomic sequencing, bioinformatics, data management. Training in Public Health or Public health laboratory practice is an added advantage.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of national and international experience in infectious diseases laboratory science with special focus on high threat pathogens including at least three years' experience in genomic surveillance. Expert knowledge in application of molecular techniques for genomic surveillance. Ability to work with national and international staff in the laboratory setting. Proven track record of successfully contributing as a laboratory science specialist at the international level. Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings. Experience in strengthening laboratory quality management systems.
Desirable: Experience in outbreaks and/or health emergency response of international impact. Experience in establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for microbiology and/or detection of infectious diseases. Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.

Skills

• Expert knowledge in Microbiology or Biomedical Sciences and/or use of molecular techniques and next generation sequencing in infectious disease diagnosis and surveillance.

• Proven ability to develop innovative and appropriate solutions for the improvement of laboratory systems.

• Sound knowledge in biosafety standards, methodology and techniques in public health laboratories, in particular molecular biology and genomic surveillance for infectious diseases.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.

• Proven ability to communicate effectively with tact, discretion and the ability to promote consensus.

• Excellent writing skills in English and proven analytical skills and ability to synthesize findings from diverse materials and sources.

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.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of WHO official language.

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 77,326 (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 1714 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (

https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

) are strongly encouraged to apply.

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

reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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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• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

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