Technical Officer (Laboratory)

Organization: WHO - World Health Organization

Location: Hanoi (Vietnam)

Grade: P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position - Mid level

Occupational Groups:

Biology and Chemistry

Closing Date: 2021-09-12

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To strengthen countries' capacities as well as a regional alert and response system to ensure public health security through prevention, preparedness planning, early detection, timely risk assessment and rapid response to emerging diseases,public health events and emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Team Coordinator and guidance of the Head of WHO Country Office, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Provides support to the Ministry of Health in developing and implementing strategies to strengthen the International Health Regulations 2005 core capacities in the area of laboratory and thenational public health laboratory network, in accordance with the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies;

2. Supports the development of technical guidelines and standard operational procedures on laboratory testing for the detection of emerging and other infectious diseases, including the development of quality assurance systems and contribute in strengthening quality management at the health laboratories;

3. Supports the enhancement of laboratory infrastructure and the development of standard operational procedures to ensure safe collection, handling, shipment storage and analysis of human specimens;

4. Participates, in timely responses, to outbreaks/epidemics in collaboration with national health officials and with other partner organizations;

5. Promotes coordination among partners from national laboratories and international/regional laboratories as needed;

6. Supports planning and implementation of research activities to strengthen policy and performance of public health laboratories; and

7. Performs other related duties as may be required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First university degree in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/or epidemiology from a recognized university.

Desirable: Advanced university degree in molecular biology, virology bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/or epidemiology. Additional training in biosafety standards.

Experience

Essential: Minimum of five years of experience working in laboratory diagnostics or related epidemiological analysis at public health or clinical laboratories including exposure at national and international levels

Desirable: Experience in developing country setting in the area of surveillance and response to emerging and/or re-emerging diseases. Experience working with Ministry of Health to strengthen public health laboratories. Experience in working in Asia is an asset.

Skills

• Sound knowledge of standards, methodology and techniques in health laboratories, including those in molecular biology,virology, bacteriology and biosafety;

• Knowledge in communicable disease prevention and control, including the concept and principles of surveillance,risk assessment, rapid response and preparedness;

• Ability to communicate effectively to facilitate positive changes and strategic partnerships with government officials, UN agencies, development partners, private sectors, nongovernmental organizations;

• Experience in operational planning,capacity-building, monitoring and evaluation;

• Demonstrated success in developing reports and scientific publications;

• Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team and with other teams within the Organization;

• Ability to adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Knowing and managing yourself

Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other UN languages.

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 62,120 (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, and currently amounts to USD 1372 per month for the duty station indicated above. 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.

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