OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To provide technical assistance and support at WHO Emergency Sub Office Cox’s Bazar on the overall laboratory activities at IEDCR Field Lab and Laboratories in camp settings. This will include monitoring laboratory activities to ensure the diagnostic capacity of diseases with epidemic potential including vaccine preventable diseases and ensuring good biosafety standards with high level lab containment at every level of emergency response within WHO recommendations.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Work under the direction of the health operations lead to expand and sustain laboratory diagnosis capacities for emerging diseases with endemic and pandemic potential in compliance with national and WHO Laboratory standards; 
2. Ensure good laboratory standards are practiced for all the lab tests, procedures undertaken at IEDCR Field lab; 
3. Strengthen laboratory quality management system of day to day functioning of the lab; 
4. Ensure uninterrupted testing services of tests undertaken at IEDCR field lab by meticulous planning, timely procurement of reagents and consumables including maintenance of lab equipment; 
5. Review the need and provide the technical specifications to lab equipment and trouble shoot potential laboratory difficulties like cross contamination, failed runs result interpretations etc.; 
6. Produce a quality assurance report after procurement and installation of equipment; 
7. Maintain inventories at IEDCR field lab and information about the gap filling supplies to health facilities in camp settings; 
8. Establish integrated reporting and recording mechanisms for performance indicators of laboratory and maintain timeliness and performance indicators of the IEDCR and field labs in camp settings; 
9. Develop standard guidelines and update Standard Operation Procedures as per emerging need related to laboratory services; 
10. Promote collaboration within and beyond organization for sustaining and strengthening the laboratory standards as per WHO guidelines; 
11. Provide technical assistance for adaptation of policy and strategies to establish blood transfusion set up in refugee settings for emergency needs, and implement the activities to improve the quality of blood screening, ensuring safe blood transfusion to the patients free from transfusion transmissible infections (TTI); 
12. Enhance community engagement through local awareness campaigns promoting voluntary blood donation within camp settings, fostering a culture of lifesaving contributions; 
13. Collaborate with Government and stakeholders in facilitating research activities; 
14. Assess and monitor laboratory capacities and practices in emergency units, hospitals and health care facilities using predetermined tools and methodology; 
15. Evaluate and enhance the activities conducted by laboratories across different tiers, focusing on standardizing protocols for sample collection, storage, transport, testing facilities, and result dissemination within healthcare settings; 
16. Build capacity of medical technologist and lab personnels on Laboratory Quality Management, Biosafety and good laboratory practices including infection control and prevention to strengthening laboratory services; 
17. To carry out any other related jobs as requested by the supervisor; 
18. Submit an end of assignment report at the end of assignment (mandatory). 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First-level university degree in Medical Laboratory Technology.

Desirable:

• Postgraduate degree in Laboratory Technology with specialization in infectious disease or related laboratory fields. 
• Demonstrable training and experience in the area of Molecular techniques, routine clinical laboratory techniques, and immune diagnostics is also advantageous. 

Experience

Essential:

• At least 1 years of work experience in clinical laboratories, protocol preparations and laboratory maintenance in low resource setting. 
• Experience in emergency health response. 

Desirable: Experience in UN agency/WHO or other International Organization would be added an advantage.

Skills

• Ability to collaborate with different institutions, organizations, and personalities from the Government, NGO, and private sectors 
• Ability to work independently and creatively 
• Willingness to travel 
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment and a team 

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication

Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Bangla.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at BDT 3,634,083 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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. 

• 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. 

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. 

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int. 

• 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. 

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered. 

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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements