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Senior Laboratory Technician

Addis Ababa

  • Organization: UNECA - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
  • Location: Addis Ababa
  • Grade: Administrative support - GS-7, General Service - No need for Higher Education - Locally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Biology and Chemistry
    • Technology, Electronics and Mechanics
  • Closing Date: Closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

ECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission is guided by ECA's five strategic directions which are: advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take local solutions to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

Responsibilities

This position is located in the Division of Administration, United Nations Health Care Centre (UNHCC). The Senior Laboratory Assistant reports to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Within delegated authority, the Senior Laboratory Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Laboratory Quality Improvement
• Ensures the security and proper maintenance of the laboratory and the equipment.
• Sets up, calibrates, cleans and tests the functionality of the medical laboratory equipment.
• Ensures the maintenance of cold chain/refrigerator and performs necessary measures to maintain an optimal temperature for all reagents, specimens, and materials requiring cold chain in the laboratory.
• Ensures the application of appropriate infection prevention and control standards in collecting specimens for all laboratory tests.
• Performs internal and external quality control tests to ensure accuracy of all laboratory results.
• Ensures safe handling of bio-hazardous materials in compliance with international standards and practices.
• The incumbent would ensure disposals of biohazards.
• Monitors the availability/expiry dates of reagents and proper functioning of laboratory equipment.

Laboratory technical duties
• Performs all laboratory examinations including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, stool examination, cultures, immuno and molecular assay needed for the diagnosis of patients' medical condition as defined in the laboratory standards.
• Performs lab examinations during field mobile clinics and/or emergency situations and extra working hours if designated by the supervisor.
• Reports urgent test results following clinic protocols and alerts physicians and/or nurses about abnormal results.
• Ensures accurate record keeping of results by entering all results into the Earth Med system.
• Complies with all laboratory policies and regulations and international standards related to safety, cleanliness, and infection control.
• In close coordination with the medical doctors and nursing staff, assists with HIV testing program following up to date international standards and guidelines.
• Provides technical support for lab diagnosis referrals as requested by the Medical Officer/Clinician.
• Assists the organization in the implementation of health promotion/monitoring programs.

Administrative duties
• Prepares job aids, Standard Operating Protocols, Formats, Guidelines and Manuals for the different laboratory procedures following international guidelines.
• Plan procurements, takes Umoja and other relevant actions on time, including preparing annual procurement plans for the unit.
• Prepares timetable of work including night duty coverage when designated by the supervisor, ready to take additional duties to bridge the man-power gaps that may occur.
• Manages performance of junior laboratory technicians, provides feedbacks, develops performance improvement plans, train the team and share knowledge related to laboratory functions with the team members.
• Prepares the necessary terms of reference for recruitment purpose with the supervisor when required.
• Prepares monthly data report of laboratory activities according to the UNHCC reporting format.
• Identifies training programs and prepares a training plan for the laboratory personnel geared towards maintaining continuous professional development in order to improve quality of services at the UNHCC laboratory and perform other tasks as deemed necessary and assigned by the supervisor.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
• Performs other tasks as deemed necessary and assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to analyze and produce laboratory results with a maximum precision leading to reliable results. Demonstrating initiative and professional judgement in applying SOPs, Rules & Regulations to cover special cases and in exceptional circumstances. Ensuring the strict adherence to prevailing policies governing UN staff conduct and responsibilities. Showing pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrating professional competence and mastery of the subject matter. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Knowledge of clinical, occupational and tropical laboratory techniques. Knowledge of quality control ISO certification in laboratory services. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for decisions made during the dispensation of his or her duties.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required. College diploma in laboratory studies/ techniques and/or medical laboratory technology is required. An advanced degree in laboratory studies is an advantage.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive working experience in a full-service laboratory or related area is required.

Hands-on experience in laboratory service including molecular biology techniques is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated
in the application.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

This vacancy is now closed.
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