Technical Officer (Public Health Laboratories)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME [link removed]

The objective of the WHO Nepal Country Office is to implement the Country Cooperation Strategy by supporting the Ministry of Health and Population(MoHP), Government of Nepal (GoN) in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national health polices, strategies and plans and developing and managing WHO’s technical cooperation programmes at the country level.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the Head of WHO Country Office and direct supervision of the Health Emergency Lead, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

1) COVID-19 laboratory capacity & response: Support the development of Public Health Laboratory Preparedness & Response Readiness core components for efficient response to and recovery from the COVID- 19 pandemic and provide technical guidance to the National Public Health Laboratory and provincial laboratories charged to manage the laboratory component of COVID-19 interventions and the national network of designated COVID-19 labs. Manage the implementation, reporting, performance assessment and evaluation of the approved activities and ensure proper communication with partners as appropriate. Provide technical advice to MOPH on public health laboratory related matters whenever requested. Support close coordination between Laboratory Capacity and other pillars of the COVID-19 response IMS across the three levels of the organization.

2) Influenza Surveillance and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness & Response: Provide technical and implementation support for strengthening laboratory-based Influenza surveillance and reporting, quality assurance and virus sharing under the Pandemic Preparedness Plan (PPP). Support the sustainability of the Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV)and COVID-19 surveillance initiated in the country within the Influenza surveillance platform, strategically building on the enhanced COVID-19 lab network in the country.

3) Infectious hazard emergencies and outbreak response: Provide technical advice for the early detection and laboratory support for surveillance, outbreak confirmation and diagnostic support for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases through review, updating/development, and dissemination of guidelines, standard operational procedures, and implementation and capacity building strategies using lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious hazard emergencies in the country and the region in the past. Provide laboratory technical expertise and operational support for the timely response to outbreaks/epidemics and health emergencies, in collaboration with national health officials, WHO field teams and relevant partner organizations. Support resource mobilization for strengthening the laboratory capacity of the country and to conduct infectious disease surveillance, outbreak detection and response, implementation research and training of laboratory human resources through one health approaches. Support implementation of operations research and surveillance projects related to emerging and reemerging infectious diseases.

4) Public Health Laboratory Network: Leveraging the rapid expansion of the COVID-19 lab network in the country, support the development of a national public health network strategy and action plan and its implementation to result in a three-tier national public health laboratory network up to district level with effective horizontal linkages to intersectoral laboratories upward linkages to research and academic institutional laboratories and downward linkages to the primary health care institutional laboratories. Facilitate mutually beneficial liaison and collaboration between the national network and acknowledged expert labs in the region and globally – especially WHO collaborating centers and build linkages with well-functioning public health laboratory networks of other low/middle income countries for mutual learning.

5) Laboratory Quality Assurance: Support the development and establishment and sustained functioning of a National Quality Assurance System for the national public health laboratory network to enhance the IHR related laboratory core capacity using lessons from past initiatives and the COVID-19 response including though initiating and sustaining a national proficiency panel. Support participation of the national public health laboratory network in international laboratory quality assurance programmes at the regional and global levels. Advocate for quality accreditation of laboratories in the network. Cooperate with partners in improving analytical and diagnostics services, quality and environmental management, equipment maintenance.

6) Laboratory information management and data sharing: Support to the national public health laboratory network to develop and implement a robust laboratory information system based on learning from previous initiatives, the COVID-19 response and global best practices in low/middle income countries and encourage real time sharing of data for public health evidence synthesis. Oversee updating and maintaining the related reporting to national, regional and global information systems. Document the laboratory information strengthening interventions to aid knowledge management and diffusion.

7) Laboratory Training & Capacity building: Support assessing training / capacity needs, develop training materials and conduct and/or supervise public health laboratory training for staff at national, provincial and district level public health laboratories with comprehensive review of laboratory practice guidance aligned with WHO guidance. Contribute to the design and implement a hybrid (online and onsite) training programme in collaboration with International laboratories like Public Health England (PHE), US-CDC etc.

8) Biosafety and Biosecurity: Contribute to assessments and training to ensure laboratory bio-safety and biosecurity in public health laboratories. Provide technical support and guidance for the operationalization of Biosafety level -3 laboratory at NPHL and facilitate sustenance of the facility through collaborative surveillance and research programmes. Facilitate the process of establishing national and regional biorepositories. Provide technical support for developing and implementing operational manual and standard operating procedures for the biorepository.

9) Antimicrobial Resistance: Provide technical and implementation support for surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in a one health context and contribute to various laboratory-based AMR activities in the country.

10) Coordination and team management: Support Health Emergency Lead, other Team Leads of the WCO and the Head of WHO Country Office to develop and effectively implement the work plan activities related to laboratory capacity building interventions; manage and mentor the laboratory support team; advise on and proactively develop effective and feasible Public Health Laboratory Preparedness and Response Readiness interventions leveraging potential partnerships and resource mobilization opportunities; represent WHE team and WCO in coordination and technical meetings with MoHP and partners.

11) Perform any additional duties and discharge any additional responsibilities assigned by the Health Emergency Lead or the Head of WHO Country Office as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree (bachelor’s) in the Medical Laboratory Technology field / Medical Microbiology.

Desirable: An advanced university degree in Medical Microbiology

Experience

Essential: At least two years' practical experience, in the development, advocacy, planning, implementation of laboratory based infectious disease surveillance programmes. Designing and managing public health microbiology / virology laboratory. Demonstrated exposure at the international level.

Desirable: Previous experience with WHO or other UN agencies, acquiring funding and managing large infectious disease surveillance projects from international funding agencies, Experience in outbreak investigation of emerging infectious diseases. Laboratory expertise in a wide range of infectious hazards evidenced by research publications. University level teaching and research experience.

Skills

- Proven knowledge and skills in Public health laboratory preparedness for infectious hazards including emerging and re-emerging diseases of public health emergencies of international concern, laboratory support for public health response readiness and microbiological risk assessment

- give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners in resource-limited contexts;

- Proven ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics.

- Strong managerial, monitoring, evaluation, organizational skills including ability to negotiate with national and international authorities and partners.

- Technical expertise: Overall attitude at work are also required mandatory competencies.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. 
Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN Official language

 REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 56,046 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 994.81 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members who have been separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will be given special consideration.
• 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/ [link removed]. 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 Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.

• 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 [link removed]) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to [email protected] [link removed] with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• 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 [link removed] 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.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int. [link removed]

• 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 [email protected] [link removed].

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