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Technical Advisor - Laboratory Services

Dhaka

  • Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Location: Dhaka
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Biology and Chemistry
    • Project and Programme Management
    • FAO Bangladesh
  • Closing Date: Closed

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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality.

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations

depending on the evolving needs of the Organization 

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Organizational Setting
 
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.
 
FAO in Bangladesh has been implementing activities in close cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh since its establishment in 1978.  According to the FAO Country Programming Framework (2014-2018) for Bangladesh, five areas are identified as development priorities; (1) reduce poverty and enhance food security and nutrition; (2) Enhance agricultural productivity through diversification/intensification, sustainable management of natural resources, use of quality inputs and mechanization; (3) Improve market linkages, value addition, and quality and safety of the food system; (4)further improve technology generation and adaptation through better producer extension-research linkages and (5) increase resilience of communities to withstand ‘shocks’ such as natural disasters, health threats and other risks to livelihood.
 
The tasks envisaged for this consultancy are to be conducted through the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases
(ECTAD). Within the ECTAD framework, the Animal Production and Health Division (AGA) is closely working with the Emergency and Rehabilitation Division (TCE) under the Strategic Program 5(SP5) to support various aspects of the animal health programme of FAO, including the Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT2) and Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Programmes.
 
Reporting Lines
The Technical Advisor will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Bangladesh and the direct supervision of the ECTAD Country Team Leader.
 
Technical Focus
The Technical Advisor will provide technical assistance to Bangladesh national animal health laboratories to strengthen national diagnostic capacity and improve genetic and antigenic characterization of avian influenza viruses.
 
Tasks and responsibilities
  • Provide technical support to the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) laboratory for the following\:
  • HI testing execution and revision of the current SOPs as necessary
  • reference antigens and antisera production and their correct use and storage
  • virus isolation and characterization by HI tests and sequencing and bioinformatic analysis with revision of current SOPs if necessary
  • development and implementation of a laboratory quality management system
 
  • Provide technical support to the Central Disease Investigation Laboratory (CDIL) and the Field Disease Investigation Laboratories (FDIL) for the following\:
  • Bench-side mentorship training in core laboratory skills of CDIL and FDIL technicians
  • Assess the functionality of the equipment present at CDIL
  • Provide technical support for CDIL implementation of action plans for initiation of laboratory diagnosis of common and priority animal diseases
  • Training of laboratory staff in diagnosis of animal diseases following regional and international standards or agreed protocols
 
  • Coordinate closely with the Regional Laboratory Coordinator for harmonization with regional laboratory capacity building and proficiency testing initiatives.
 
  • Coordinate with regional service providers for servicing of any FAO-provided laboratory equipment requiring repair
 
  • Prepare technical specifications and procurement plans as necessary for procurement of required laboratory equipment, reagents, and supplies
 
  • Participate in the Bangladesh National and relevant Regional Laboratory Network Coordination meetings on behalf of ECTAD Bangladesh
 
  • Coordinate with international partner laboratories for technical support for improved virus isolation and antigenic characterization through antigenic cartography
 
  • Closely coordinate with the regional team of ECTAD-Asia to harmonize and standardize laboratory capacity strengthening in line with the regional strategy
 
  • Perform other related duties as required.
 
 
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING\:
 
Minimum Requirements
  • Advanced university degree in life sciences or closely related field
  • At least five years of relevant experience in animal health laboratory diagnostics, preferably  in international setting or developing countries
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English and limited knowledge of another FAO language.
 
FAO Core Competencies
  • Results Focus
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Building Effective Relationships
  • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
 
Technical/Functional Skills 
  • Technical support and bench-side, hands-on knowledge of laboratory procedures
 
Selection Criteria
  • Previous experience with serological diagnostics and/or antigenic characterization of avian influenza viruses laboratory good laboratory management practices, quality assurance, biosafety/biosecurity  and/or  in management  and  implementation  of  infectious  disease  control  programmes,  preferably  in international setting or developing countries
 
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 Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO,

Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing).
  • Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognised in the IAU/UNESCO list.
  • Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
  • Candidates with acceptable language certificate/s should upload them when submitting their application. For details, visit http\://www.fao.org/3/I8446EN/i8446en.pdf
  • For other issues, visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
  • For further information on categories, contract duration and honoraria, please refer to the Conditions page.
 
HOW TO APPLY
 
To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered.
 
Vacancies will be removed from the recruitment portal at 23\:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
 
If you need help, or have queries, please contact\: iRecruitment@fao.org
 

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

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