Laboratory Technician

UNDP believes that the people of Indonesia should have ownership over the programmes and projects we support. All UNDP programmes therefore actively promote the spirit of mutual respect, support and accountability and subscribe to the principle of national ownership as enshrined in the Jakarta Commitment – a declaration put forward by the government and its development partners in 2009 to strengthen aid effectiveness in Indonesia. In the true spirit of national ownership, all of UNDP’s assistance in Indonesia is implemented by national entities, including line ministries and the Ministry of National Planning and Development, and at the subnational level by line departments, provincial and district authorities as well as community groups.

While each programme supported by UNDP has specific and varied objectives, capacity development is one aim that all UNDP programmes – in Indonesia and worldwide – have in common. This takes on many forms including institutional reform, leadership development, education, and training for members of the public such as journalists, and women’s communities. In line with this logic, UNDP advisers work side by side with Indonesian counterparts to strengthen capacities in technical matters, policy formulation and budget planning, amongst others.

UNDP Indonesia and the Ministry of Health have been working together in a long-term partnership on health governance that is aimed at narrowing health development gaps and meeting the SDGs commitments. This partnership has been expanded with the implementation of activities under the 2020-2025 Health Governance Initiative (HEART). HEART Programmes focus on the support to strengthen Indonesia's health system capacity through policy advocacy, evidence-based generation intervention, technical assistance, and partnerships by adoptions of information technology advancement with a total program budget of approximately USD 70 million.

The HEART Programme will have two outputs: (i) By 2025, strengthened national policy and institutional environment that is governing access to affordable medicines through evidence-based and multisector collaborations. (ii) By 2025, the performance of national programmes is improved and positively impacts the coverage and the sustainability of service delivery and the health system better integrate environmental concerns in waste management practices to mitigate or limit its impact on environment(s) and prevent and reduce diseases related to climate change.

One of HEART Programme effort is to be involved in supporting the ILI SARI (Influenza Like Illness Severe Acute Respiratory Infections) surveillance. The ILI SARI is an initiative that aims to identify illnesses as the earliest as possible to allow minimum treatment costs and impact nationwide. The National Influenza Centre (NIC) in coordination with Health Surveillance Quarantine Laboratory is the primary partner in the initiative which supervises laboratories around the country.

This UNV assignment is part of the Health Governance Initiative (HEART) Programme for ILI-SARI, specifically supporting BB Biokes Laboratory. It contributes to national efforts to enhance influenza surveillance through serological testing of avian influenza A/H5N1. The Laboratory Technician position will be responsible to conduct high-quality and accurate laboratory testing-including virus neutralization testing (VNT), hemagglutination inhibition (HI), virus characterization, and serum preparation- to detect specific antibodies to influenza A/H5N1 in human serum specimens. These tests will be performed using standardized WHO-recommended protocols and conducted in a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) facility where the generated data will be utilized to support serosurveillance among high risk populations and contribute to evidence-based public health decision-making at the national level.

Under the supervision of the Advisor for Health Governance Initiative Cluster, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Perform Laboratory Works in compliance with Biosafety and Regulatory Compliance, which includes:
- Basic laboratory reagents preparation and logistics management.
- Operating a computer-based laboratory system, recording data, and performing laboratory tests with experimental procedures include but not limited to performing cell culture protocols, isolation of DNA, micro pipetting and meticulous measuring.
- Conduct laboratory activities strictly following BSL-3 biosafety protocols, include but not limited to specimen collection, tracking, processing and biobanking, nucleic acid extraction, performing quality control of RNA/DNA samples, tape station and plate reader preparation, as well as processing and pre-treating serum samples.
- Ensure all testing activities are safe from contaminations.
- Ensure proper handling, thawing, and storage of virus stock, reagents, and antigen materials in accordance with specific laboratory protocols following testing objectives.
- Interpret results based on standard cut-off values.
- Ensure sample-to-data traceability and integrity throughout the workflow.
- Maintain laboratory instruments and consumables stock and ensure all procedures meet national and international laboratory biosafety and quality standards.

2. Ensure quality assurance, improvement and documentation of laboratory activities, which includes:
- Perform quality control of collected laboratory data to ensure its completeness and consistency. Compile and integrate laboratory data into project databases.
- Coordinate and collaborate with laboratory personnel and research teams to ensure smooth workflow and troubleshooting.
- Accurately record all laboratory procedures, observations, and results using approved data capture tools, and prepare relevant laboratory/technical report.
- Maintain confidentiality of patient data and sample identity.
- Support calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Support continuous validation of testing methods and workflow optimization when necessary.

3. The incumbent of the position should contribute to avoiding any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensuring that:
- Human rights and gender equality are prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions.
- Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with the “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”.
- Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, or gender are respected within all implementations including data production.
- Differentiated needs of women and men are considered.
- An inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created.
- Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, training, etc. introduced.