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Laboratory surveillance officer

Brazzaville

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Brazzaville
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Biology and Chemistry
    • Security and Safety
    • AF/IHM Infectious Hazard Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Purpose of the Post\:
 
To strengthen the African region laboratory networks (influenza, emerging dangerous pathogen and public health laboratory networks) in the context of IDSR and IHR.
 
Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field  activity (Overview of the programme)\:
 
The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.
The Infectious Hazard Management Unit of the Health Emergencies Programme is responsible for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority high-threat infectious hazards. This includes developing and supporting prevention and control strategies, tools and capacities for high-threat infectious hazards, establishing and maintaining experts networks to detect, understand and manage new or emerging high threat infectious hazards as well as providing secretariat support for the management of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.
 
Organizational Context (Describe the work environment, the role of the individual within the team – team member, specialist, adviser, facilitator, coordinator/manager, representative, expert, authority in the field, etc) available guidelines and degree of independence in decision making, and nature and purpose of contact within and outside the Organisation.
 
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Infectious Hazard Management programme manager area and the Regional Emergencies Director, and in collaboration with the health technologies program in Health Systems  and Services (HSS) cluster, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the AMR activities in the region, supporting the strengthening of AFR laboratory networks, developing documentation on laboratory quality management system and biosecurity/biosafety. The incumbent will also support the laboratory activities for collaboration between animal and human health laboratories in line with the One Health approach.
He/she will be informed of AFRO’s Transformation Agenda orientations and priorities related to health security and emergencies in general. The plan of work will be prepared under the direct supervision of the program manager or his designee.  Reviews of the incumbent’s performance will be based on the WHO PMDS, and will be guided by the broad programme goals, specific objectives and measurable indicators. New initiatives and long term plans required for the achievement of the programme’s objectives will be discussed.   Expected results will be reviewed to determine the achievement of objectives as set up in the work plan.
 
Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what  the incumbent has to do  to achieve main objectives)\:
 
Under the direct supervision of the HSE Director, the laboratory expert – Health Security and Emergencies will be responsible for the following specific duties\:
•           Facilitate the development of norms, standards, polices, plans, guidelines and other laboratory tools for the laboratory performance in the frameworks of IDSR and IHR (2005)
•           Support the enhancement and expansion of regional laboratory networks (WHO Collaborating centers, Influenza laboratory network, emerging dangerous pathogen network and national reference public health laboratory networks) for disease surveillance and response of IDSR priority diseases, conditions and events in the Region.
•           Support the implementation of the laboratory component of the global, regional  and countries plans on Antimicrobial resistance
•           Coordinate laboratory training courses and regional or sub regional meetings in relation with public health laboratory networks and WHO’s global prevention, detection, preparedness and response activities
•           Strengthen laboratory quality management system through documentation of best practices and training as well as implementation and monitoring of the Regional Quality Assurance Programmes in microbiology
•           Coordinate support to Member States in strengthening biosafety and biosecurity including proper handling of specimens with the aim of improving  country’s capacity and capability in the area of bio-risk reduction and containment of highly infectious pathogens
•           Promote collaboration between public and animal health laboratories in the framework of the One Health Concept in collaboration with other partners
•           Perform any other duties that may be assigned by the supervisors
•           Perform other duties as required.
 
Competencies\: Generic (Describe the core, management or leadership competencies required -  See WHO competency model – list in order of priority, commencing with the most important ones)
 
1. Producing results
2. Communicating in a credible and effective way   
3. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.
4. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
 
Functional Skills and Knowledge
 
•Ability to work under pressure to make decision, to elaborate strategies and organise priorities
•Ability to coordinate activities and undertake multitasks
•Strong knowledge of microbiology of infectious disease including emerging dangerous pathogens
•Strong analytical skills and good judgement.
•Sense of prioritization and attention to detail.
•Discretion and tact; ability to handle and preserve confidential information.
•Ability to liaise with people at all levels and to proactively search for information.
•Self-motivated, flexible and able to innovate.
•Professional commitment.
•Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to negotiate with and convince officials with tact and diplomacy.
•Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual information.
•Ability to work in stressful context and under tight deadline
•Ability to work in an international and multi-cultural environment
 
Education (Qualifications)\:
 
Essential\: Doctor of medicine or pharmacy with post graduate training in microbiology or related science.
Desirable\: University degree or diploma in epidemiology or public health
 
 
Experience
Essential\: At least 10 years’ experience in laboratory training, evaluation, planning and management
Working experience on emergencies in Africa
 
Desirable\: Experience in disease surveillance prevention and control at national and/or international level. Experience of working with WHO or other UN agencies would be an asset.
 
Languages\:
Excellent knowledge of English or French with a good working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of the Portuguese language will be an asset.
  
Other Skills (e.g. IT)\:
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft applications (Excel, Word, power point, etc)
 
This vacancy is now closed.
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