WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
Post : Virologist/ Immunologist
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
Key objectives of the programme include maintaining polio free status in the South-East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO. This requires a continued focus on surveillance for poliovirus detection with the polio laboratory network playing a critical role for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance and environmental surveillance for poliovirus detection. The South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) of WHO has established a polio laboratory network comprising of 16 polio laboratories, as a part of the global polio laboratory network. One of the major objectives of the IVD unit in SEARO is maintaining quality laboratory services for a reliable and timely testing of appropriate specimens for poliovirus detection. The objective of the immunization programme in SEAR also includes elimination of measles and prevention and control of other vaccine preventable diseases such as rubella, diphtheria, pertussis and invasive bacterial diseases. As part of these efforts, a well-functioning and quality laboratory services are essential in supporting countries for vaccine preventable disease surveillance.
Description of duties:
Under the broad guidance of the Director, Department of Family Health, Gender and Life Course (FGL) and the direct supervision of the Regional Adviser - Accelerated Disease Control (ADC), and in close collaboration with the Scientist-Virologist, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:
1. Support and oversee the procurement of necessary supplies for the polio and VPD laboratory network in SEAR to ensure an optimal and efficient functioning of the network.
2. Support the organization of need based trainings and consultative meetings of virologists of the polio laboratory network and programme managers of SEAR countries to share information and experience and set uniform laboratory policies and practices.
3. Support the monitoring of the performance of polio laboratory network in SEAR against WHO recommended standard indicators to timely advice and take action as appropriate for the network and programme. Guide all laboratories to participate and report on various external and internal quality control checks applied in the network.
4. Support WHO accreditation reviews of the polio network laboratories for quality assurance and work closely with the specific laboratories to support improvement in performance.
5. Support polio laboratory network to implement Bio-risk management as per global action plan version III (GAPIII) to prevent poliovirus reintroduction.
6. Support establishment/strengthening of laboratory capacity in SEAR for vaccine preventable diseases for which new vaccines are available or will soon be available. Guide on operational aspects, technical specifications and standard operating procedures for transfer of appropriate technology to the network laboratories.
7. Draft budgetary projections to secure adequate resources for the polio laboratory network in SEAR so that the work plan can be executed effectively.
8. Perform any other duties assigned by the Team Leader-IVD.
9. Submit an assignment report after completion of the assignment (mandatory).
Education:
Essential: University degree in medical or biomedical fields.
Desirable: Post graduate degree with specialization in microbiology/virology.
WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an accredited institution. The list can be accessed through this link: whed.net
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Skills: Functional Skills and Knowledge
Thorough knowledge of clinical and laboratory surveillance, diagnosis, control and epidemiology of communicable diseases and ability to work with national and international staff as member of the polio eradication team both in the laboratory setting as well as at the international advisory and support levels. Expert knowledge in various viral and bacterial laboratory diagnostic tools and applying advanced molecular technology for rapid turnaround time of laboratory reporting. Previous experience and understanding of EPI diseases and work related experience in developing countries.
Competencies
1. Communication
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Team Work
4. Building and promoting partnership across the Organization
5. Promoting innovation and organizational learning
Experience:
Essential: At least five years of experience in the area of coordination and management of laboratory network for polio surveillance, including some years of international experience
Desirable: Knowledge of coordination and management of laboratory work for other vaccine preventable diseases, including diphtheria, pertussis, measles and rubella.
Languages:
Excellent spoken and written knowledge of English
Additional Information:
WHO's salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a base salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates.
Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance
Annual salary:
(Net of tax) USD 57,379 at single rate USD 61,470 with primary dependants
Additional Information:
Experience: 5 Years
Location: Delhi
Industry Type: Pharma/ Biotech/Clinical Research
Duration of contract: Two years
Vacancy Notice No: SE/RO/P/2017/TA1
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