Diagnostics Project Officer

UNOPS has hosted the Stop TB Partnership Secretariat (STBP) since 1 January 2015, in Geneva, Switzerland. The vision of the Stop TB Partnership is to realize the goal of elimination of tuberculosis (TB) as a public health problem and, ultimately, to obtain a world free of TB by ensuring that every person with TB has access to effective diagnosis, treatment and cure; stopping transmission of TB; reducing the inequitable social and economic toll of TB; and developing and implementing new preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic tools and strategies. The Stop TB Partnership is uniquely positioned to support the development and further implementation by partners of the current and future Global Plan, acting as a coordinator and catalyst for the range of partners engaged in the fight against TB.

Founded in 2001, the Stop TB Partnership's mission is to serve every person who is vulnerable to TB and ensure that high-quality care is available to all who need it. Stop TB partners include international and technical organizations, government programmes, research and funding agencies, foundations, NGOs, civil society and community groups and the private sector.

One of the primary objectives of the project is to strengthen diagnostic networks in high-burden countries through several approaches: 1.) by introducing new screening and diagnostic technologies that can bring testing closer to point-of-care and increase access in hard-to-reach places, 2.) by introducing new technologies for rapid and comprehensive drug susceptibility testing, 3.) by introducing new technologies for accurate detection of TB infection (LTBI), and 4.) by building country capacity to make optimal use of digital data produced by diagnostic instruments with the aim of improving care and improving performance and uptime of instruments.

Within the Stop TB Partnership, the project is a cross-team collaboration, with the engagement of multiple colleagues’ technical expertise across teams in diagnostics and digital health technologies, including the recently formed Stop TB Digital Health Technology Hub, and with procurement primarily by the Global Drug Facility (GDF). 

As products have started to arrive in countries, the project has moved into an implementation phase, with ongoing close engagement of in-country partners and the provision of guidance and support. As implementation progresses, data on product use will be collected and analyzed together with project countries and partners for monitoring and evaluation. Best practices identified will be shared between early implementers as well as with global stakeholders and will be used to strengthen Stop TB and other global implementation guidance, tools and curricula. Provision of country support for use of additional diagnostic products may also be planned to provide a more comprehensive package of tools.

Within this context and under the direct supervision of the Diagnostics Technical Officer, the specific responsibilities of the Diagnostics Project Officer include:

• Drafting of content based on information compiled from early implementer experiences, published literature, manufacturer information and other sources

• Coordinating inputs and reviews from Stop TB teams and external partners

• Liaising with online learning platform developers

• Finalizing products for publication and distribution

• Reviewing and contributing to development of country-specific operational plans and budgets and other remote technical assistance, adapting global implementation guidance as required based on country consultation

• Collecting, reviewing and analyzing data on country use of new diagnostic technologies, following up with countries and partners to strengthen implementation and troubleshoot as required, and identifying best practices and lessons learned

• Reviewing and analyzing data from diagnostics connectivity solutions to understand functioning of instrument networks and performance of service providers, and preparing recommendations for action and improvement

Travel may be required (max 30% of time), pending COVID-19 situation.

This is a home-based (remote) position, with expectations of working hours primarily aligned with Geneva working hours.

This is a full-time position. Qualified candidates shortlisted but not selected for this position may be offered placement on a roster for engagement in time-limited specific tasks.

Education Requirements:
Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a health-related or biology-related discipline is required.

• Qualified Candidates from High TB Burden countries are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.