Technical Officer (Laboratory)

.Purpose of the Position
To provide technical support to the WHO Sierra Leone, specifically, Universal Health Coverage
Life Course, Universal Health Coverage Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases, and,
Emergency Preparedness and Response clusters in laboratory and diagnostic-related areas
Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective
The overall objective of the Laboratory Unit of WHO Sierra Leone is to contribute to attainment of
Universal Health Coverage and better protection against public health emergencies and their effects;
through improved availability of quality essential health care and public health services; by
providing technical guidance and support to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, partners as well
as WHO counterparts, in laboratory and diagnostics
Organizational context (Describe the individual role of incumbent within the team, focusing on
work environment within and outside the organization)
The incumbent together with other technical expert groups provides technical guidance to the
Ministry of Health and Sanitation towards the attainment of a resilient health system which is
capable to attain Universal Health Coverage, and to manage health emergencies as they arise, and
promote overall health and wellbeing of the people of Sierra Leone
Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent must do to achieve main
objectives; include main achievements expected)
Under the general guidance of the WHO Country Representative in Sierra Leone and the direct
supervision of the Universal Health Coverage Life Course (UHC-LC) Cluster Lead, the incumbent
will perform the following functions:
1. Provide authoritative guidance and technical support to national laboratory counterparts, the
WHO country office, and international partners in the provision of essential laboratory
diagnostics as stipulated in the Essential Package for Health Services (EPHS) and diagnosis of
priority diseases of public health importance under the Integrated Disease Surveillance and
Response (IDSR) strategy
2. Play a leading role in the development of a laboratory system that contributes to national
capacity to respond to public health threats including antimicrobial resistance prevention,
control and surveillance
3. Play a leading role in strengthening national coordination of laboratory services among
authorities and partners, which include the Laboratory Diagnostics and Blood Services in
laboratory support and between programmes within the health sector related to laboratories for
diagnostics, blood safety and public health surveillance
4. Coordinate laboratory activities and partners supporting outbreak response and laboratory
systems strengthening, building consensus, and enabling effective communication between
laboratories, Ministry of Health counterparts and national and international partners
5. Facilitate the development of policy and guidance documents for the national laboratory system
6. Provide technical guidance and support to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in achieving
IHR core capacities, in particular those related to laboratories, in line with the National Action
Plan for Health Security (NAPHS)
7. Organize laboratory trainings to build capacity in identified areas of need, in coordination with
other WHO offi

To provide technical support to the WHO Sierra Leone, specifically, Universal Health Coverage

Life Course, Universal Health Coverage Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases, and,

Emergency Preparedness and Response clusters in laboratory and diagnostic-related areas

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective

The overall objective of the Laboratory Unit of WHO Sierra Leone is to contribute to attainment of

Universal Health Coverage and better protection against public health emergencies and their effects;

through improved availability of quality essential health care and public health services; by

providing technical guidance and support to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, partners as well

as WHO counterparts, in laboratory and diagnostics

Organizational context (Describe the individual role of incumbent within the team, focusing on

work environment within and outside the organization)

The incumbent together with other technical expert groups provides technical guidance to the

Ministry of Health and Sanitation towards the attainment of a resilient health system which is

capable to attain Universal Health Coverage, and to manage health emergencies as they arise, and

promote overall health and wellbeing of the people of Sierra Leone

Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent must do to achieve main

objectives; include main achievements expected)

Under the general guidance of the WHO Country Representative in Sierra Leone and the direct

supervision of the Universal Health Coverage Life Course (UHC-LC) Cluster Lead, the incumbent

will perform the following functions:

1. Provide authoritative guidance and technical support to national laboratory counterparts, the

WHO country office, and international partners in the provision of essential laboratory

diagnostics as stipulated in the Essential Package for Health Services (EPHS) and diagnosis of

priority diseases of public health importance under the Integrated Disease Surveillance and

Response (IDSR) strategy

2. Play a leading role in the development of a laboratory system that contributes to national

capacity to respond to public health threats including antimicrobial resistance prevention,

control and surveillance

3. Play a leading role in strengthening national coordination of laboratory services among

authorities and partners, which include the Laboratory Diagnostics and Blood Services in

laboratory support and between programmes within the health sector related to laboratories for

diagnostics, blood safety and public health surveillance

4. Coordinate laboratory activities and partners supporting outbreak response and laboratory

systems strengthening, building consensus, and enabling effective communication between

laboratories, Ministry of Health counterparts and national and international partners

5. Facilitate the development of policy and guidance documents for the national laboratory system

6. Provide technical guidance and support to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in achieving

IHR core capacities, in particular those related to laboratories, in line with the National Action

Plan for Health Security (NAPHS)

7. Organize laboratory trainings to build capacity in identified areas of need, in coordination with

other WHO office's focal points including Laboratory Diagnostic procedures, Biosafety and Biosecurity, Quality Management Systems, Specimen Management and Laboratory Information

management systems

8. Lead the development, adaptation and review of technical documents and Standard Operating

Procedures for the national laboratory system

9. Facilitate the timely sharing of data among Global Laboratory and Diagnostics Network

members

10. Promote the institution of biosafety, biosecurity, and quality management systems within the

laboratory network

11. Mobilize effective and efficient emergency health response interventions to infectious disease

outbreaks and support field activities related to outbreak investigations and responses of EIDs

12. Compile donor proposals and workplans, monitoring and reporting on progress indicators

13. Develop and implement projects to integrate new testing or diagnostic technologies to improve

diagnostics algorithms

14. Provide technical guidance and support related to laboratory matters and antimicrobial

resistance, including training and continuing education of laboratory personnel, laboratory

commodity supply and distribution, maintenance of laboratory equipment, laboratory quality

assurance, laboratory safety, and legal and regulatory issues

15. Develop communication and advocacy environment to promote the work of WHO Emerging

and Dangerous Pathogens Laboratory Network (EDPLN) and to the implementation of the

International Health Regulations

RECRUITMENT PROFILE

Competencies

• Teamwork

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

• Communication

• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Describe the essential knowledge and the skills specific to the position

• Analytical skills, writing skills, good organizational skills. Skills in using quantitative and

qualitative- research methods such as semi directed and focus group interviews. Tact, discretion,

and diplomacy

Education Qualifications:

Essential:

• Postgraduate degree (master's level or above) in medical laboratory sciences or related field from a

recognized university

Desirable:

• Postgraduate degree (master's level or above) in medical laboratory sciences or related field with

additional training in areas like Laboratory Leadership or Project Management, strategic planning,

programme development, management, and evaluation

Experience:

Essential:

• Minimum of seven years' experience in health laboratory systems planning, management and

evaluation as well as laboratory programme design and implementation including experience at

international level

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Desirable:

• Experience of working in microbiology services

Experience in management of large health projects

• Experience in international coordination and collaboration

Language: English

Read: Expert knowledge [Yes] Required

Write: Expert knowledge

Speak: Expert knowledge

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

• Work requires the use of word processing or other software packages, and standard office

equipment

• Work requires the use of word processing facilities to create, edit, format and print

correspondence and documents; spreadsheet and visual presentation software; e-mail and

scheduling software to improve communications both internally and externally; Oracle/Global

Management System (GSM) for administrative matters

ce's focal points including Laboratory Diagnostic procedures, Biosafety and