New Jobs at World Health Organisation Recruiting: Scientist Laboratory
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The overall goal of the WHO laboratory programme is to strengthen the performance of national laboratories that support immunisation initiatives including essential interventions for vaccine-preventable diseases. The key objectives of the Programme are:–> Achieve and sustain certification standard surveillance as a strategy to eradicate poliomyelitis and reduce morbidity and mortality caused by vaccine-preventable diseases–> Strengthen integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) by providing laboratory confirmation of disease outbreaks and genotyping results –> Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities to establish/maintain monitoring systems for EPI and IDSR activities as well as for all vaccine-preventable diseases.–> Provide data, feedback results and reports to the Zambia MoH at national, provincial and district level as well as WHO country and AFRO office, and cooperating partners.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The incumbent will perform the following duties:– Develop laboratory-backed surveillance including 😮 Development of Laboratory work plans, Virus isolation and identification using recommended WHO guidelines and procedures, Tissue culture maintenance and propagation, Specimen processing and handling- Liaise with other partners in support of AFP laboratory-backed surveillance- Ensure WHO guidelines and standards operating procedures are strictly adhered to as recommended by WHO- Provide technical support to the other countries of the region in Polio eradication and other activities when need arise- Implementation of the Real Time PCR for Intratypic Differentiation (ITD) for polio molecular epidemiology.- improved quality assurance through accreditation & proficiency testing programmes implementation of validated, standard laboratory procedures- provision of training for laboratory personnel- linking of laboratory data and activities to surveillance for diseases of public health importance- Perform data management, for Polio, Measles, Influenza and Rotavirus surveillance.Secondary Activities:o Measles, Rubella, Rota, Influenza, Yellow fever and Human papillomavirus (HPV) diagnostic procedures for virus isolation and identification according to WHO guidelines Vaccine quality control activities including vaccine sampling and potency testing when indicated on Documentation and report writing as a way of feedback to relevant partners. Data harmonisation meetings with MoH and partners. Any other duties as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: Bachelors Degree in Biomedical Sciences / Biology & Chemistry or another related field
Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in related field and/or Public Health
Experience
Essential: A minimum of five years experience in Bacteriology and Virology Laboratory work
Desirable: Experience in laboratory activities for vaccine preventable diseases
Skills
Significant knowledge of and experience in laboratory technology, operations and laboratory-backed surveillance, Including basic epidemiological skills and analysis and interpretation of data. Publication in peer-reviewed journals will be an added advantage.
WHO Competencies
- Communication
- Moving forward in a changing environment
- Teamwork
- Building and promoting partnerships across the organisation and beyond
- Producing results
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
REMUNERATION
Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at ZMW 354,748 (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/recognised 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.
- For information on WHO’s operations please visit http://www.who.int.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- 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.