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Qualifications

Objectives of the Position:

The programme for Immunization Preventable Disease (IPD) of WHO Nepal has been providing continuous technical assistance to the Government of Nepal (GON) mainly in areas of vaccine preventable disease (VPD) surveillance and immunization, for over past two decades. In addition, WHO-IPD has also supported the government in various emergency responses including the 2015 and 2023 earthquake, COVID-19 surveillance and response and introduction of new vaccines in national immunization campaign. WHO-IPD operates through a nationwide network of 15 Surveillance and Immunization Medical Officers (SIMO) working through 10 field offices managed by a central coordinating office. 

WHO has been providing technical assistance to National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in supporting National Immunization Program on progress related polio-free status, accelerating laboratory surveillance sensitivity critical for measles rubella and CRS elimination, and facilitating in laboratory testing of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and rotavirus specimen. In addition, WHO has been providing continuous support in capacity building of laboratory staff for external quality assurance, annual accreditation process and supervisory system in ensuring proper implementation of laboratory activities. 

The primary objective of the position is to provide technical assistance to National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in all matters related to VPD laboratory surveillance. The laboratory support officer is expected to provide technical and expert support to NPHL in laboratory diagnosis and management of VPD specimen. The specific objectives include support in laboratory diagnostic quality assurance, capacity building of Provincial Public Health Laboratory (PPHL) on VPD laboratory surveillance, supportive supervision of subnational VPD laboratories, support in update and development of laboratory guidelines/standard operating procedures (SOPs), facilitate laboratory operation research, and liaise with WHO regional laboratory focal point in supporting NPHL and subnational VPD lab for achieving laboratory accreditation. 

Description of duties:

Under the overall guidance of Team Lead- WHO IPD and direct supervision of the National Professional Officer (NPO) – Surveillance Cluster Lead, the “Laboratory support officer- VPD surveillance” will work in close collaboration with VPD laboratory section of NPHL.

The Laboratory Support Officer will be based at NPHL, Department of Health Services (DoHS) to support NPHL on all VPD laboratory surveillance. The Laboratory Support Officer will provide technical assistance and expert support including support to maintain WHO accreditation standards for NPHL and subnational VPD labs. She/he should have demonstrated competencies in laboratory work (including but not limited to performing ELISA and PCR testing), systematic and timely data compilation and clear and cogent communication. 

Specifically, the Laboratory Support Officer- VPD surveillance will:

 1.       Provide technical support to NPHL in laboratory tests related to JE/Measles/Rubella/Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), rotavirus diarrhoea, and other priority VPD diseases. These tests will be performed maintaining WHO standards and reported as per WHO protocol.

 2.       Provide technical support in expansion of poliovirus environment surveillance sites, processing of environmental sewage water for poliovirus, review of laboratory result and periodic supervision of sewage sample collection sites.

 3.       Coordinate with VPD laboratory section to maintain Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP) including but not limited to, testing sample, storage and archiving, reporting, inventory maintenance, and other documentation. Ensure that the VPD surveillance lab maintains WHO proficiency standards.

 4.       Coordinate with NPHL, in consultation with Surveillance and Data Cluster, for sharing laboratory report, as per WHO recommended reporting timeliness and protocols.

 5.       Provide technical support to accurately evaluate specimen condition and enter information into computer system (i.e., demographics and results). Support NPHL identify any missing or invalid data entry information and take the appropriate corrective action.

 6.       Coordinate with Data Clusters WHO- IPD in desk review and analysis of VPD laboratory data.

 7.       Facilitate laboratory coordination meetings including monthly coordination meetings with NPHL and periodic meetings of subnational VPD labs, rotavirus sentinel sites, Invasive Bacterial Disease (IBD) sentinel sites.

 8.       Provide technical support in reviewing diagnostic kit stock, estimation of required kits per annum based on sample testing trend and coordinate with NPHL to ensure the availability of appropriate and adequate number of diagnostic kits for testing of VPD samples.

 9.       Coordinate with NPHL for timely shipment of VPD samples to designated reference laboratories.

 10.   Provide technical support to NPHL in expansion of subnational VPD laboratories, laboratory workshop and capacity building training.

 11.   Maintain proper documentation of VPD samples and laboratory activities undertaken by NPHL and ensure that sub-national labs also do the same.

 12.   Conduct supportive supervision of subnational labs with standard SOP and checklist. Monitor the quality of their test and support sub-national laboratory(ies) for supply for test kits as needed.

 13.   Perform quality checks to ensure lab accreditation is maintained as per WHO standards and protocols.

 14.   Support operational research activities on immunization and VPD laboratory surveillance whenever required.

 15.   Perform other task as assigned by supervisor and Team Lead- IPD. This includes duty travel and  duty-station reassignment on short notice as per the program requirements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential:    First University degree in microbiology (Bachelor) or equivalent education from an institution recognized by Nepal Health Professional Council.

Desirable: Post graduate qualification in one or more of the following disciplines or allied disciplines: microbiology /virology / Biochemistry

Experience:

Essential:    

At least two years of experience in vaccine preventable disease (VPD) laboratory surveillance or related work at National or subnational level.

Desirable:  

1) Experience of working on serology test including ELISA and PCR testing for VPD diseases.

2) Training on laboratory serology and molecular diagnosis of VPD.

Functional skills and knowledge:

–          Knowledge of public health, immunization and vaccine preventable diseases are essential.

–          Knowledge and experience of monitoring, evaluation, and data analysis is required.

–          Ability to plan and execute review meetings / workshops/ trainings.

–          Ability to participate actively and cooperatively in knowledge sharing and policy forums at various levels, negotiation skills with authorities, and to coordinate with the GoN agencies.

–          Very good analytical skills including ability to collect and analyse technical data and information effectively, use required analysis tools, and to draw and present conclusions in written and spoken form, including presentation skills.

–          Ability to write clear and concise progress reports, analytical reports, plans and proposals, policy and strategic documents.

Other Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 
• Proficiency in Statistical / Epidemiological Analysis software desired. 
• Able to follow instruction and work independently would be an asset.

WHO Competencies:

 ·         Teamwork

 ·         Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

 ·         Communication

 ·         Moving forward in a changing environment

 ·         Producing Results

Language: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken language skills in English and Nepali

Remuneration: 

Monthly Salary: (Net of tax) NPR 196,102 (Grade: SSA Level 8) at single rate (taxable as per Nepal Government laws and functional modality will be through Special Services Agreement)

Duty Station: National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Teku, Department of Health Services, Kathmandu

Additional Information

• This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level. 
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. 
• A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening. 
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required or 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. 
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• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. 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 for WHO jobs. 
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• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates. 
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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 atshws@who.int. 
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• This post is subject to local recruitment (Nepalese national) only. 
• Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds. 
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply