PN 383149

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The goal of the presence of WHO in countries, territories and areas is to develop a two-way collaboration between the Secretariat and countries, territories and areas, by supporting them to reach national health goals and contribute to global and regional public health action. WHO utilizes the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), a key element of the Country Focus strategy, as a strategic management tool to create synergy and alignment between WHO leadership priorities and national health policies, strategies and plans as well as United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). Creating this synergy and alignment will be essential to advance and ensure WHO organizational effectiveness and relevance at country level.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Ensure proper implementation of the regional Strategic Framework for Strengthening Health Laboratory Services 2016-2020 and relevant activities in the National Five-year IHR Road Map;

2. Strengthen human and institutional capacity for optimizing systems, functions and practices, related to specimen collection, storage and transportation; identification of pathogens; biosafety and biosecurity best practices; and laboratory information management system

3. Contribute to the preparedness and response actions to the existing and potential threats of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

4. Ensure finalization/ endorsement and implementation of the national laboratory policy, development and implementation of the national laboratory strategic plan and quality standards;

5. Coordinate strengthening of national and provincial laboratories, in terms of infrastructure, workforce development, equipment, and supplies to establish the national integrated public health laboratory network;

6. Conduct assessments and provide technical advice to the national and provincial public health laboratories in establishing, maintaining and strengthening laboratory quality management system and bio-risk management system;

7. Support building laboratory capacity through coordinating and guiding training needs assessments, developing training plans, participating in the development of training materials, organizing and providing training courses at the provincial and national level;

8. Asses and review WHO Country Office Programme Work plans and related projects and activities for laboratory strengthening, bio-safety and bio-security in Health, Veterinary and Agriculture sectors, coordinate development and implementation of inter-sectoral action plans for improvement;

9. Monitor laboratory diagnostic methodologies, standard operating procedures, and information management systems for public health surveillance activities;

10. Prepare for and attend meetings and workshops, provide technical inputs to other WHO programmes, national government counterparts and collaborating partners on issues related to public health laboratories;

11. Collect, analyze, and report data on progress towards meeting the indicators of the regional Strategic Framework for Strengthening Health Laboratory Services 2016-2020 and the National 5-year IHR Road Map;

12. Prepare and coordinate missions; organize technical workshops and meetings; develop communication materials such as talking points, newsletters, presentations;

13. Prepare and submit analytic quarterly reports of the activities to WR Pakistan.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University Degree in Medicine.
Desirable: Qualification in any of the laboratory disciplines (microbiology; virology; immunology).

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of experience in public health laboratory strengthening programmes with expertise in epidemiology and laboratory surveillance.
Desirable: Previous work experience with WHO or other UN organizations will be an asset.

Skills

–> Theoretical and practical knowledge of public health laboratories, planning and policy development, analyzing data, concise reporting and surveillance;

–> Excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to coordinate activities and multitask; capacity and ability to work with multiple teams and agencies for a common purpose;

–> Proven skills in the development and implementation of plans and projects, including training and managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical laboratory strengthening programs and activities, including budget programming and control

–> Strong professional skills in development of reports, oral presentations and technical and advocacy documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Ministry and/ or the Organization;

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Urdu.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at PKR 8,185,743 (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.

• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line. For assessment of your application, please ensure that your profile on Stellis is updated; all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. Kindly note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are not accessible.

• 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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