Laboratory Diagnostics Technical Officer, Harare at World Health Organisation

job Description

WHO supports the country response through all the pillars and works closely with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and partners across civil society, bilateral partners, donors, private sector and the UN agencies. The Laboratory Technical Officer will provide key technical leadership in the areas of laboratory diagnosis

The incumbent will act as the expert for laboratory within the laboratory services pillar of the response. S/he will manage the laboratory component of the incident management system, and provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) and partners. S/he will establish and maintain collaborative networks involving national and international organizations, governmental and nongovernmental institutions, professional and scientific societies, and liaise with other units/teams at the country office, regional office and HQ.

Reporting to the WHO Representative, and under the overall guidance of the Incident Manager, and working closely with counterparts at all levels of the organization, the incumbent will act as the expert for laboratory within the laboratory services pillar of the response. S/he will manage the laboratory component of the incident management system, and provide technical support to the member states and partners. S/he will establish and maintain collaborative networks involving national and international organizations, governmental and nongovernmental institutions, professional and scientific societies, and liaise with other units/teams at the country office, regional office and HQ.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.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.

2.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

3.Coordinate the participation in Quality Assurance Systems of International Mobile Laboratories deployed in country and National Central Laboratories involved in the event management.

4.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 environment specimens.

5.Cooperate with partners in improving analytical and diagnostics services, quality and environmental management, equipment maintenance, safety and bio-safety for laboratories.

6.Manage the implementation, reporting, performance assessment and evaluation of the approved activities and ensure proper communication with partners as appropriate.

7.Contribute in strengthening the national capacity at the health laboratories; assess training needs and provide training for laboratory personnel in the related technical areas.

8.Oversee updating and maintaining the related reporting and information systems, documenting the response and laboratory strengthening activities, as and when required.

Qualifications and Experience

-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. eGz0h5W DGiSU5
-Sound knowledge in Quality Assurance Systems for laboratories.
-Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications.

Education (Qualifications):
-Essential: Advanced University degree (Master’s level or above) in life science, laboratory medicine or medical microbiology from an accredited/recognized institute.
-Certified training or qualification in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/or epidemiology and laboratory techniques.
-Desirable: Master’s level degree in public health or health related field.

Experience:
Essential;
-At least 7 years of progressive practical and operational experience and management of laboratory services, laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases at the national level.
-Experience in establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for microbiology and/or detection of infectious diseases.
-Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings
-Experience in evaluating novel diagnostics assays for emergency use authorization during outbreak response.

Desirable:
-Previous experience in UN organizations/agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations, international institutions or nongovernmental organizations, particularly in developing countries

Languages
Essential: Excellent knowledge of English.
Desirable: Working knowledge of English or another WHO official language would be an asset.