Laboratory Officer World Health Organization

Objectives Of The Programme
The incumbent will act as the subject matter expert for laboratory within the health operations and expertise team. S/he will manage the laboratory component of the EPR and provide technical support to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and partners within the health cluster. S/he will establish and maintain collaborative networks involving national and international organizations, governmental and nongovernmental institutions, professional and scientific societies, liaise with other units/teams at the country office.

Description Of Duties
The incumbent will perform the following duties: Provide technical expertise and operational support for the timely response to outbreaks/epidemics and health emergencies, in collaboration with national health officials, including laboratory staff, and other partner organizations. Adapt and coordinate the development and implementation of technical guidelines and standard operational procedures for laboratory testing practices for outbreak detection, including those caused by (re-)emerging and other infectious diseases Coordinate the participation in Quality Assurance Systems of International Mobile Laboratories deployed in country and National Central Laboratories involved in the event management. Lead the enhancement of laboratory infrastructure and the implementation of standard operating procedures to ensure safe collection, handling, shipment, storage and analysis of human and environment specimens. Cooperate with partners in improving analytical and diagnostics services, quality and environmental management, equipment maintenance, safety and bio-safety for laboratories. Manage the implementation, reporting, performance assessment and evaluation of the approved activities and ensure proper communication with partners as appropriate. Contribute in strengthening the national capacity at the health laboratories; assess training needs and provide training for laboratory personnel in the related technical areas. Oversee updating and maintaining the related reporting and information systems, documenting the response and laboratory strengthening activities, as and when required. Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Required Qualifications
Education
Essential: University degree in life science, medicine or medical virology from an accredited/ recognized institute. Certified training or qualification in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/or epidemiology and laboratory techniques

Desirable: Master’s level degree in public health or health related field or Advanced University degree (Master’s level or above in life science, medicine or medical virology from an accredited/ recognized institute.

Experience
Essential: At least five years of practical and operational application and management of laboratory services, laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases at the national and international levels. Some related experience in outbreaks and/or health emergency response of international impact

Desirable: Experience in establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for microbiology and/or detection of infectious diseases. Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings at national and region levels. Experience in evaluating novel diagnostics assays for emergency use authorization during outbreak response. Previous experience in UN organizations/agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations, international institutions or non-governmental organizations, particularly in developing countries.

Skills
Proven ability to analyse laboratory activities in diagnostic, biosafety and quality management, in order to develop innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement. Sound knowledge in biosafety standards, methodology and techniques in health laboratories, including those in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology and biosafety. Sound knowledge in Quality Assurance Systems for laboratories

WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

REMUNERATION
Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at UGX 247,693,000 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.