HIV testing services

1. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE POSITION

Access to quality medical products (medicines, vaccines, medical devices and diagnostics) and use of appropriate and evidence-based strategies for laboratory testing is crucial for achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030).

The goal of the HIV/Aids and Essential Drugs and Medicines Programs of the WHO/Mozambique office is to support the Ministry of Health, to improve people's access to quality testing services and medical products. Laboratory testing strategies and Medical products regulatory agencies should ensure the quality and efficacy of all diagnostics, adequacy and enforcement of appropriate HIV/STIs testing strategies, monitoring and ensuring compliance and alignment with WHO recommendations and statutory obligations.

Newer products are coming into the market for HIV self-testing (HIVST) and the role of the Mozambique national regulator is challenging to ensure the use of safe, efficacious and affordable products for the population. Through WHO country office increasing collaboration and the WHO/HQ commitment to support the implementation of the STAR/PSI project supporting on update the national HIV testing algorithm and enhance the ability of national regulatory authorities to ensure safety and quality of medical products for the HIVST.

1. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general coordination of the WHO Country Representative, the supervision of the HIV/AIDS Officer and the Essential Medicines and Laboratories Officer at the WHO-Mozambique Office, the consultant staff will work to accelerate and strengthen the implementation of screening strategies of HIV / AIDS according to WHO recommendations.

Specifically, the Consultant will support the structures of the Ministry of Health and the HIV Self-Test (HST) Central Technical Group (CTG?HST) to: (i) Set up the transition to the new WHO HIV testing strategy and algorithm which uses three (3) consecutive reactive tests to provide a positive diagnosis; (ii) Ensure the national approval and registration of HIV self-test kitsfor the implementation and scaling up of HIV self-testing in Mozambique.

Area One: Transition to the three (3) test algorithm for HIV screening

• Facilitate National stakeholder dialogue to ensure better understanding, buy-in and implementation of WHO recommendations;

• Support the "verification" of tests entering into the HIV screening algorithm including the HIV / Syphilis Duo-tests for diagnosis in pregnant women (development of the protocol, implementation of the study and sharing of results)

• Support the updating of national HIV testing guidelines and development of implementation support tools and training materials including the 3-tests and the HIV / Syphilis Duo-test

• Support on development the list of medical devices (diagnostic tests and reagents) to include them into the National Essential list for Medicines and Reagents.

Area Two: Support for the approval of tests for the implementation and scaling-up of HIV

self-testing in Mozambique

In collaboration with the implementing partners of the STAR/Unitaid (HIV self-testing) project in Mozambique,

• Work with Ministry of Health (MoH) regulatory authorities to ensure registration of HIVST products in the country including: (i) conduct assessment of current regulatory and registration policies and map country-level regulatory environment; (ii) Provide targeted technical assistance to MoH for regulatory issues, particularly related to product selection facilitated through WHO PQ

• Support MOH to update HIV testing guidance to include self-testing and develop implementation guidance to HIV self-testing scale-up and corresponding training materials, communication (IEC) materials

• Pilot post-market surveillance systems in the STAR project country, integrated into the existing surveillance systems.

• Provide targeted technical assistance to MOH during development / implementation of EQA systems and post-market surveillance systems.

• Perform any other task of its competence assigned by the hierarchy.

1. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: Master's degree or specialization in Laboratory sciences/technology or other related areas

• Desirable: Certificate or training in the regulation of Medical Products (medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, devices)

Experience

• Essential: At least three (3) years of experience in laboratory research or product regulation, some of which should have been obtained in Mozambique context. At least 3 years’ experience with HIV self-testing and HIV testing programmes.

  Desirable: Experience in working on HIV/STIs/Hepatitis programs or health medical product regulation in a low or middle-income country. Experience in working across multiple development agencies and managing their often-diverse objectives.

Skills

• Good knowledge of laboratory practices and/or product development, production and control. This includes having worked for the implementation of the laboratory component of a Health program and a national regulatory authority for the registration of health commodities. Demonstrated ability to work with experts at national and regional levels, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Excellent organizational skills.

• Other Skills (e.g. IT): Proficient in MS Office Software applications, data analysis and technical presentations.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

• Communication

• Ensuring the effective use of resources

• Producing results

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English or Portuguese.

REMUNERATION

• WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are based on United Nations scales.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Please note applications should be submitted through WHO's online recruitment portal. Please visit www.who.int/careers to complete an online profile and to apply to this vacancy.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be shortlisted and contacted

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• An in-person Competency-based interview will be conducted for shortlisted candidates . All measures will be taken to ensure respect of distancing measures and protect candidates against COVID-19 infection.

• Candidates are advised to make themselves available during that period if 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).