National Professional Officer (Labs)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. Within the Programme, this project contributes to strengthening national capacities against COVID-19 and other public health emergencies. The project, which is funded by EU and implemented by MoH with the technical collaboration of WHO Country Office Ankara, aims to further strengthen laboratory capacities for diagnosis and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging pathogens of epidemic potential, reinforcing health security in Türkiye and to strengthen laboratory systems for improved preparedness and response to public health threats in the earthquake affected areas.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the “Strengthening national capacities against COVID-19” project and in alignment with the EU contribution agreement, the incumbent will provide technical expertise and operational support to the Ministry of Health and partners in timely response to outbreaks/epidemics and health emergencies through managing the laboratory related activities in compliance with the WHO recommended standards.

Key duties:

1. The incumbent will provide technical expertise and operational support to the Ministry of Health and partners in implementing laboratory related activities within the framework of the project and in alignment with the EU contribution agreement.

2. Technically guide and coordinate technical staff, short-term experts and consultants to ensure high quality implementation of project activities.

3. She/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.

4. Assist with the development of workplans and activity budgets, and support monitoring, evaluation and reporting of project implementation.

5. Lead technical and operational support to enhance genomic surveillance capacity in Türkiye and expand capacity of public health laboratories in the earthquake affected region to conduct genomic surveillance for a range of priority pathogens.

6. Enhance the institutional and policy capacity of laboratory and surveillance system by leading the development of strategies, guidelines, standard operating procedures and other national/sub-national guidance documents.

7. Lead the technical support to the strengthening the capacity of public health and laboratory staff on next generation sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics and molecular epidemiology through the development and delivery of trainings to enhance the use of genomic sequencing data for public health action.

8. Coordinate and provide expert technical guidance on implementation of the National genomic surveillance strategy and costed action plans.

9. Design and deliver capacity building workshops and training initiatives to strengthen the capacity of public health and laboratory staff on next generation sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics and molecular epidemiology and enhance the use of genomic data for public health action.

10. Provide strategic and operational support to strengthen the laboratory system in the earthquake affected provinces to detect public health threats, including vector borne diseases, via workshops, on-site training, and mentoring and supervisions field visits.

11. Enhance the institutional and policy capacity of laboratory and surveillance system by leading the development of strategies, guidelines, standard operating procedures and other national/sub-national guidance documents.

12. Coordinate and oversee execution of large-scale procurements of laboratory equipment and supplies for public health laboratories in the earthquake affected area.

13. Other tasks as requested by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A first university degree in molecular biology, genetics, biomedical science, veterinary medicine, medicine or medical virology from an accredited/ recognized institute.
Desirable: Advanced degree in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/or epidemiology and laboratory techniques. Training in Public Health or Public health laboratory practice.

Experience

Essential: At least five years of practical and operational application using molecular technique for rapid typing and whole genome sequencing, and management of laboratory services, laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases at the national levels. Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings at national level. Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.

Desirable: Experience in outbreaks and/or health emergency response of international impact. Experience in establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for microbiology and/or detection of infectious diseases. Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings at national level. Experience in evaluating novel diagnostics assays for emergency use authorization during outbreak response.

Skills

1. Demonstrated knowledge of response operations and their implementation in emergencies as related to public health, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations.

2. Excellent skills in the monitoring and analysis of emergency situations.

3. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.

4. Proven ability to communicate effectively.

5. Tact, discretion and ability to promote consensus.

6. Proficiency in standard computer applications e.g. electronic communication, database searches and management, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and planning software.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Setting an example

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Turkish.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 47,857 (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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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• 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.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• 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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