Consultant Laboratory - Band level B at World Health Organization

PURPOSE OF THE POST

The main purpose of the post is to support the Influenza Programme activities in the region, specifically the adaptation of key influenza surveillance documents to encompass other respiratory pathogens considering the post-COVID-19 pandemic landscape. Support will also be provided to enhance Member State capacities in the context of influenza laboratory and epidemiological surveillance activities

Description of duties

Under the overall guidance of the Emergency Preparedness Programme Manager, and the technical guidance of the PIP Programme Manager, the incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Provide on-site and remote technical support and mentoring for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 detection and sequencing to National Influenza Laboratories and other network laboratories in the Region.
• Contribute to peer review article(s) on any influenza related subject;
• Support the preparations for and the reporting from any influenza related meetings e.g. PRET, Module 1 workshops, National Vaccine Deployment Plan workshops and PIP Regional Co-ordination Meeting;
• Support countries on the implementation of influenza/respiratory disease surveillance using the updated national sentinel surveillance protocol;
• Conduct any activities to support capacity building for laboratory detection of pathogens in the context of respiratory viruses;
• Support the establishment of integrated influenza/SARS CoV-2 sentinel surveillance in countries;
• Provide support and guidance to countries for the development of National Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plans in the context of PRET Module 1;
• Coordinate the development of best practices on influenza epidemiological surveillance and response in the African Region and ensure all relevant materials pertaining to influenza preparedness and response (reports, plans, SOPs and other information products) are available for Member States.
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor(s) in line with the implementation of influenza activities in the region.

Expected outputs from his/her work include

• Updated integrated Protocol for Sentinel Surveillance for Respiratory Pathogens;
• Enhanced capacities of selected Member States on integrated influenza virological and epidemiological surveillance;
• Development of viral sequencing capacity in selected countries and follow up to ensure sustainability of capacities;
• Effective roll-out of relevant activities for PIP framework High Level Implementation Plan and US CDC projects in the region.

Educational Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree with a post graduate training in virology, molecular biology or microbiology or a related science from a recognized university.

Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience on working in a virology laboratory and be familiar with molecular techniques and cell culture.
• Documented experience with Next generation sequencing (NGS) platform sequencing using Nanopore and/or Illumina platforms including bioinformatic analysis of data generated.

Desirable

• Experience in WHO or the UN system.
• Experience in surveillance, either epidemiological or laboratory, of respiratory viruses.

Skills/Knowledge

• Good knowledge and technical expertise in infectious disease surveillance, control and prevention, in particular for influenza or other respiratory viruses.
• Demonstrated knowledge in virology, specifically influenza/SARS-CoV2;
• Sound knowledge of biosafety standards, techniques in molecular biology laboratories;
• Sound knowledge in Quality Management Systems for laboratories;
• Basic knowledge of GISAID;
• Writing of technical documents for varied audiences and good communication skills;
• Computer skills appropriate to the task, i.e data analysis and word processing;
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results.

Languages and level required

• Excellent command of English or French and a working knowledge of the alternative