Consultant Laboratory, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Purpose of the Consultancy

This consultancy will support the WHO Cambodia Health Emergencies Team lead to leverage the gains made during COVID-19 and continue to strengthen laboratory preparedness and response for pandemics and the public health laboratory system in line with National priorities.

Background

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodia continued to strengthen preparedness whilst simultaneously responding to the pandemic. This two-tiered approach is aligned with the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED III), which is the common strategic framework in WPR to guide the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005).

The WHE team in Cambodia works to strengthen the overall capacity of the Ministry of Health for the prevention, detection, and control of emerging diseases and preparedness and response to public health emergencies. There have been many lessons learned over the last three years that are relevant for the sustained management of COVID-19 and preparedness for future public health emergencies. One of these lessons includes the need to maintain the gains made in strengthening the laboratory capacities within the country. Priority laboratory initiatives being implemented by MOH, which need technical support from WHO in 2024, include the development of plans and strategies and the ccontinued strengthening of the public health laboratory system to support surveillance and outbreaks.

Deliverables

Under the guidance and supervision of the WHE Team Lead, and working closely with the Technical Officer and epidemiology, the consultant will support MOH on WHE technical functions on the public health laboratory. The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:

Output 1: Provide technical guidance and coordinate efforts to support MOH to develop policies and plans to strengthen national laboratory capacity

Deliverable 1.1: Facilitate the update of the existing National Laboratory Policy to be aligned with the National Strategic Plan.
Deliverable 1.2: Provide technical assistance and coordinate efforts with MOH to establish a national public health laboratory network.
Deliverable 1.3: Establish a genomic surveillance working group and initiate development of genomic surveillance plan with respiratory pathogens as an entry point to establishing a coordinated system

Output 2: Provide technical support to MOH to review and strengthen the national laboratory system

Deliverable 2.1: Facilitate the self-evaluation and development of slides of the national laboratory system Joint External Evaluation indicators
Deliverable 2.2: Facilitate the development and delivery of laboratory risk assessment training for biosafety and biosecurity

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree from a recognized university in laboratory medical sciences, Biomedical Science, Medical Microbiology or other public health related field with Laboratory training.
Desirable: Master's degree in laboratory or medical sciences.

Experience

Essential: Minimum five years’ professional experience in infectious disease surveillance, public health, and Laboratory medical sciences. Experience in laboratory systems, infectious disease diagnostics and responding to infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies is required.
Desirable: Experience working with WHO or other UN organization and/or with a Ministry of Health will be an asset.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and sensitivity to political and cultural issues
Proven ability to work in multisectoral teams at the international level
Proven ability to organize, deliver activities and meet deadlines
Strong coordination skills especially with operational partners

Language requirements

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential.

Location

Off site: Home-based

Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel within Cambodia to conduct laboratory risk assessment training as part of the deliverables.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: TBD
Expected duration of contract: 6 months
Part-time at 50%

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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