Consultant - laboratory technical officer, imst/whe/wproWorld Health Organization

1. Purpose of consultancy
In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS), at the regional level, the incumbent will provide technical expertise and operational support to the Incident Management System Team (IMST) of the Regional Office for the Western Pacific in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak through managing the laboratory related activities in compliance with the WHO recommended standards, throughout the partial or full cycle of the incident, under Health Service Delivery (HSD) pillar.
2. Background
The COVID-19 outbreak has been characterized as pandemic by the WHO Director-General. WHO teams have been working non-stop to develop the interim guidance and facilitate meeting obligations under the International Health Regulations (2005). Since early on, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has been immersed in preparedness and response activities and will continue to do so until the threat posed by COVID-19 is under control.
As increasing number of cases continue to be reported across the world, enhance preparedness and response efforts are required in the Region. Countries in the Region are experiencing challenges when dealing with outbreak response: low capacity of healthcare systems; limited laboratory capacity for testing COVID-19 shortage of skilled laboratory workforce; shipments of reagents and shortage of supplies, etc.
To cope with the situation, the laboratory team with HSD is being strengthened, to provide technical assistance to Member States for preparedness and response efforts. The COVID-19 response operations to upcoming surges in the region are expected to continue for several months with preparation for the endemic phase of COVID-19 taking place synchronously.
3. Deliverables
Under the overall guidance of the WPRO IMST Incident Manager, the Pillar Lead on Health Services Delivery, and direct supervision of the WHE Laboratory Focal Point, the consultant will work closely with technical staff at all three levels of the Organization. The consultant will act as a subject matter expert for laboratory within the WPRO IMST laboratory sub-pillar. S/he will be expected to provide timely technical support to WHO Country Offices, units and teams, Ministries of Health and relevant key stakeholders.
During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme.
Output 1. Provide laboratory technical expertise and operational support for the regional COVID-19 response.
Output 2. Provide technical advice regarding testing strategy shifts related to the transition to endemic COVID-19, potential regression to epidemic response due to case surges, and the detection and genomic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Deliverable 2.1 : Guidance notes/documents, Whisper paper and/or briefing notes.
Output 3. Support the development of the Western Pacific Region Emerging Molecular Pathogen Characterization Technologies (EMPaCT) Surveillance Network through working closely with WCOs to collect updated situation of the system development.
Deliverable3.1: Report on system development of the Western Pacific Region EMPaCT Surveillance network
Output 4. Coordinate the discussion at fortnightly regional coordination teleconferences with WHO Country Office laboratory focal points at WHO country offices.
Deliverable4.1: meeting notes
Output 5. Support the EMPaCT surveillance network meeting preparation in 2022 through drafting and development of documents and Power Point presentations.
Deliverable 5.1 Required materials for the EMPaCT surveillance network meeting in 2022, including final meeting report
Output 6. Contribute to planning and development of the future scope and resourcing of the EMPaCT surveillance network.
Deliverable 6.1: Concept note
Deliverable 6.2 Draft planning document and cost estimates
Output 7. Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.
Other Deliverables:
-Progress report (monthly)
-Technical report at the end of consultancy
4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Education:
Essential: Advanced university degree in the area of health laboratory sciences or related field.
Desirable: Advanced degree or training in public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases or molecular biology.
Experience
Essential: Minimum seven years of demonstrated experience working in public health or clinical laboratories including exposure at the national and international levels. Relevant experience in infection control, outbreaks and/or health emergency response in the context of COVID-19.
Desirable: Experience in planning and conducting training activities. Experience in developing country setting in the area of surveillance and response to emerging and/or re-emerging diseases. Previous relevant international experience in working for WHO in a developing country context. Previous work experience in Asia is an asset.
Skills/Knowledge:
Ability to assess laboratory capacity and to find solutions to fill gaps.
Ability to establish collaborations and mobilize partnerships to strengthen and expand networks, including the regional genomic surveillance network.
Knowledge and skills in providing technical support to WCOs, MOHs and technical partners.
Ability to work flexibly, autonomously and efficiently, in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to adapt to shifting priorities.
Excellent abilities in overall planning, management, organization and coordination of technical workstream.
Strong writing skills including for presentations, proposals, concept notes, reports and other documents.
Excellent communication, interpersonal and diplomatic skills.
Experience synthesizing information and communicating effectively in a timely manner to broad and diverse audiences.
Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational background and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.
Languages and level required:
Excellent written and spoken fluency in English is essential.
5. Location
WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines. However, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the emergency event.
6. Travel
The Consultant is expected to travel for this consultancy.
7. Medical clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
Additional Information:
This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A written test may be used as a form of screening.
If your candidature is retained for 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:
. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review. * For information on WHO's operations please visit:
. * WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the
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.
Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
Qualifications
World Health Organization

Manila City, Metro Manila
Permanent
Full-time