OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme is to strengthen countries’ capacities as well as a regional alert and response system to ensure public health security through prevention, preparedness planning, early detection, timely risk assessment and rapid response to emerging diseases, public health events and emergencies.is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Coordinate laboratory’s strengthening activities throughout the PICs in conjunction and cooperation with the Regional Office, HQ and counterparts, Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) LabNet, Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA), and other relevant partners and donors.
2. Provide technical expertise and operational support for the timely response to outbreaks/epidemics and health emergencies, in collaboration with national health officials, including laboratory staff, and other partner organizations.
3. Adapt and coordinate the development and implementation of technical guidelines and standard operational procedures for laboratory testing practices for outbreak detection, including those caused by (re-)emerging and other infectious diseases, including designing logistics and procurement plans for establishing new Pacific Health Laboratories (PHLs).
4. Coordinate the participation in Quality Assurance Systems of International Mobile Laboratories deployed in-country and National Central Laboratories involved in event management.
5. Lead the enhancement of laboratory infrastructure and the implementation of standard operating procedures to ensure safe collection, handling, shipment, storage, and analysis of human and environmental specimens.
6. Cooperate with partners in improving analytical and diagnostics services, quality and environmental management, equipment maintenance, safety, and bio-safety for laboratories.
7. Manage the implementation, reporting, performance assessment, and evaluation of the approved activities and ensure proper communication with partners as appropriate.
8. Contribute to strengthening the national capacity at the health laboratories; assess training needs and provide training for laboratory personnel in the related technical areas.
9. Oversee updating and maintaining the related reporting and information systems, documenting the response and laboratory strengthening activities, as and when required.
10. Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree (Master’s level or above) in health sciences or laboratory sciences from an accredited/recognized university/institute. Certified training or qualification in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/or epidemiology and laboratory techniques.
Desirable: Master’s level degree or training in microbiology or public health.

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/ . 

Experience

Essential: At least seven years experience, including relevant international exposure, in practical and operational application and management of laboratory services, and laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases. Some related experience in outbreaks and/or health emergency response of international impact.

Desirable:
• Experience in establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for microbiology and/or detection of infectious diseases.
• Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings at national and regional levels.
• Experience in evaluating novel diagnostics assays for emergency use authorization during outbreak response.
• Experience in developing country setting in the areas of surveillance and response to emerging and /or re-emerging diseases.
• Experience working with Ministries of Health to strengthen public health laboratories.
• Previous experience in UN organizations/agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations, international institutions or nongovernmental organizations, particularly in developing countries.

Skills

• Proven ability to analyse laboratory activities in diagnostic, biosafety and quality management, in order to develop innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement.
• Sound knowledge in biosafety standards, methodology and techniques in health laboratories, including those in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology and biosafety.
• Sound knowledge in Quality Assurance Systems for laboratories.

WHO Competencies  Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Beginners knowledge of French.

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 2990 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.

• 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 final candidates.

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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.

• 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 at shws@who.int.

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