MCAT-Technical Officer, Diagnostics Laboratory Services (DLS)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objective of the Diagnostic and Laboratory Services (DLS) Unit is to provide leadership and action in supporting Member States to strengthen the quality, safety and efficacy of diagnostics and laboratory services for the prevention, detection, investigation, monitoring and eradication of diseases. This contributes to building and sustaining resilient health systems that provide equitable access to quality essential health services to people across the life course using people-centered approaches towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the WHO African Region.

The Unit supports countries in translating national laboratory policies, strategies, plans and guidelines into actions in the following areas: strengthening of human resource capacities; laboratory-based surveillance and control activities; evidence-based selection and rational use of diagnostics and laboratory technologies; expansion of access to biomedical engineering services, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostics; establishment of regional laboratory networks; promotion of the integration agenda in the synergistic implementation of laboratory-based interventions, strategies and programmes; and support to the resource mobilization efforts of Member States. The goal is to enable countries in the WHO African Region to ensure evidence-based policies and strategies are in place to achieve universal access to high-quality, integrated, people-centered health services, increase the coverage and quality of effective interventions, and to create mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies and interventions.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Within the context of the ARD Cluster, the purpose of the position is to provide technical leadership to the work of the Multicountry Assignment Teams (MCATs) at identified countries and in accordance with the DLS Unit and the ARD Cluster for the implementation of regional policies, strategies, plans and activities related to diagnostics and laboratory services. More specifically, s/he will support the development, update, revision and implementation of policies, strategies, plans, guidelines and interventions in relation to regulations, norms and standards, human resources, infrastructures, equipment, and networks for clinical, anatomic pathology and public health laboratory, health products quality control laboratory, imaging services, and point-of-care tests. The incumbent will also ensure that WHO plays among in country and sub-regional partners, a convening role and a leadership role in policy dialogue about diagnostics and laboratory systems.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In collaboration with other WHO technical clusters and partners, in an integrated manner within the context of Universal Health Coverage, primary health care, ensuring people-centered approaches across the life course, the incumbent will be expected for each of the MCAT countries under its jurisdiction to perform the following duties in a collaborative way with the ministries of health and their institutions, partners, including WHO Collaborating Centers; academic, teaching and research institutions; regional and sub regional economic entities; global health, multilateral and bilateral partners, and NGOs to ensure that appropriate and efficient support is provided to national systems:

• Facilitate and manage the WHO Country offices work in the development, implementation and oversight of relevant strategies, programmes of work, and annual workplans for diagnostic and laboratory services.
• Conduct the design, drive, and oversee the integration of diagnostics and laboratory services in health systems and across disease programmes and interventions.
• Provide strategic leadership in developing and implementing national policy, strategic plan, and guidelines for diagnostics and laboratory services.
• Provide guidance for resource mobilization and conduct advocacy and policy dialogue and establish/strengthen partnerships, for the harmonization and alignment of actors and resources in the formulation and implementation of national action plans for improving diagnostics and laboratory, as an integral part of strengthened and resilient national health systems.
• Support the strengthening and implementation of regulations, norms, and standards in diagnostics and laboratories, particularly for package of tests and services; human resources qualifications, registration; infrastructures; equipment; and diagnostics lists.
• Support the implementation of quality management systems, biosafety and biosecurity, radiation protection, and health technology management including maintenance.
• Support the building of diagnostics and laboratory services national networks for patients and samples referral, national quality assessment programmes, training of staff and research.
• Facilitate the sourcing and provision of expert technical assistance to country diagnostics and laboratory programmes, including promoting the use of technical resource networks and leveraging in-country institutional capacities to enhance sustainability.
• Facilitate and disseminate best practices and lessons learned on all aspects of diagnostics and laboratory.
• Identify research needs and priorities aimed at improving universal access to diagnostics and laboratory services at country level, including promotion and strengthening of research capabilities, and support the addition of new knowledge and technologies into country health systems.
• Provide technical inputs into regional planning; monitoring and evaluation; assessments, surveys and reports; in collaboration with ARD/DLS and concerned units.
• Contribute to resource mobilization, including but not limited to drafting proposals and proactively participating in resource mobilization campaigns, in collaboration with other technical units and programmes, partnerships team and country offices.
• Provide expertise and technical advice to the WRs in the areas of diagnostics and laboratory services.
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• Degree in medicine or equivalent medical / health degree
• Specialization or post-graduate qualification in a Laboratory Sciences or Radiological and Imaging diagnostic sciences.

Desirable: Training in Management of health programmes.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in the field of managing laboratories or radiological services; managerial and leadership skills and demonstrable ability to coordinate cross cutting activities and provide advice and leadership; demonstrated experience in working and collaborating at national and international level; communication and technical writing skills.
• Experience in policy, strategy and planning formulation, guidelines development and facilitating consultations, and technical support to countries.

Desirable:

• Experience in capacity building, developing, and promoting collaborative partnerships.
• Relevant work experience in International Organizations, UN agencies, non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.
• Field experience in developing countries.

Functional Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated ability to develop, innovate, coordinate and monitor the adoption and implementation of norms, standards and plans related to diagnostics and laboratory services.
• Proven track record in the development and implementation of effective reporting mechanisms and systems for monitoring, evaluation and assessment of progress at the regional and country levels.

WHO Competencies

1. Moving forward in a changing environment
2. Promoting the Organisation position in Health Leadership
3. Producing results
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond
5. Communication
6. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Proficient knowledge of English.
Desirable: Good working knowledge of others language (French or Portuguese).

Other Skills (e.g., IT): Good level of computer literacy; the ability to analyze and manage electronic information; and familiarity with eHealth tools including epidemiological and statistical software.

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 77,326 (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. 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• 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.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.