Technical Officer (Laboratory)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To strengthen the ability of Member States to reduce the level of risk and degree of impact of health emergencies, such as outbreak and epidemic-prone disease, and food illness, through programmes and technical support that lead to improved surveillance, assessment, preparation, prevention, and response.

Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (ESR)

To support the efforts of Member States to prepare for and handle health emergencies and disasters, by leading intersectoral collaboration efforts, and by providing technical support in the areas of programme planning, capacity building, risk management and mitigation, and recovery / rehabilitation efforts.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the Head of WHO Country Office, the incumbent will\:

--> Act as WHO expert focal person for diagnostic, and public health laboratories, and in collaboration with a focal person for pharmaceutical, antimicrobial resistance to the Ministry of Health;

--> Provide technical guidance and support to the Ministry of Health with achieving IHR core capacities, in particular those related to laboratories, in line with APSED (2010);

--> Play a leading role in the development of a public health laboratory system for surveillance of and response to EIDs;

--> Support field activities related to outbreak investigations and responses of EIDs;

--> Play a leading role in strengthening national coordination of laboratory services among authorities and partners, which include the Bureau of Medical Laboratory Services, National Blood Transfusion Centre and National Institute for Public Health, in laboratory support and between programmes within the health sector related to laboratories for diagnostic, blood safety and public health surveillance;-

-> Provide technical guidance and support related to laboratory matters and antimicrobial resistance, including training and continuing education of laboratory personnel, laboratory commodity supply and distribution, maintenance of laboratory equipment, laboratory quality assurance, laboratory safety and legal and regulatory issues;

--> Provide support, when necessary and requested by WHO ESR Cambodia and Regional Office, to other WHO country offices in the Western Pacific Region for strengthening laboratory services in order to manage emerging infectious diseases.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Postgraduate degree (master's level or above) in medical laboratory sciences or related field from a recognized university.

Desirable\: Postgraduate degree (master's level or above) in public health or related field, strategic planning, programme development, management and evaluation.

Experience

Essential\: Minimum of seven years' experience in health laboratory systems planning, management and evaluation as well as laboratory programme design and implementation including experience at international level.

Desirable\: Experience of working in microbiology services. Experience in management of large health projects, international coordination and collaboration.

Skills

--> Excellent knowledge of laboratory techniques, organization and management to support health system development and outbreak investigations

--> In-depth knowledge of WHO strategies and guidelines on EIDs, health laboratory systems, and antimicrobial resistance

--> Skills in the management of laboratory and blood safety services including formulation of strategies, and the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions

--> Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with Government counterparts and WHO colleagues, as well as with donors, other UN agencies and relevant partners in civil society

--> Team management skills in an international, multicultural and multidisciplinary environment

--> Thorough knowledge of WHO policies, rules and regulations

--> Working experience in resource-constrained setting and understanding of health system

WHO Competencies

Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment
Teamwork
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.

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 72,637 (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 1701 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 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.

• 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.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

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

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.