Laboratory Officer

Laboratory Officer- Kampala (Temporary Appointment) NO-C – (2306234)

Grade: NO-C
Contractual Arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 12 months
Job Posting: Jul 7, 2023, 2:47:21 AM
Closing Date: Jul 26, 2023, 3:59:00 PM
Primary Location: Uganda-Kampala
Organization: AF_UGA Uganda
Schedule: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.

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 anaccredited/ recognized institute. Certified training or qualification inmolecular biology, virology, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/orepidemiology 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 internationallevels. Some related experience inoutbreaks and/or health emergency response of international impact
Desirable: Experiencein establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for microbiology and/ordetection of infectious diseases.Experiencein planning and implementing laboratory trainings at national and regionallevels. Experience in evaluating novel diagnostics assays for emergency use authorization duringoutbreak response.Previousexperience in UN organizations/agencies, health cluster partners, recognizedhumanitarian organizations, international institutions or non-governmentalorganizations, 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.

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.
• 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. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
  The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion)are strongly encouraged to
  apply for WHO jobs.
  Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
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