Technical Officer, Meningitis Laboratory at World Health Organization

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:
• Developing work plans in cooperation with sub-regional, regional and national.
• Establishing, planning, and implementing monitoring and evaluation protocols.
• 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:
• 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.
• Lead critical reviews and assessments, documenting key achievements.
• 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.
• Promotion of Information-sharing through videoconferencing, informal consultations and, as required, inter- and/or sub-regional meetings.
• Ensuring collection, collation and analysis of data from countries and regular reporting on the situation of laboratories at IST level,
• 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

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

Experience

•  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

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Creating a motivating and empowering environment
• Moving forward in a changing environment.

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of French and intermediate knowledge of English.
• 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.