Team Lead (Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment,Care & Innovation)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Global TB Programme leads and guides the global effort to end the TB epidemic through universal access to people-centred prevention and care, multisectoral action and innovation. Specifically, GTB:

1. provides global leadership to end TB through strategy development, political and multisectoral engagement, strengthening review and accountability, advocacy, and partnerships, including with civil society.
2. shapes the TB research and innovation agenda and stimulates the generation, translation and dissemination of knowledge.
3. develops policy options, norms and standards for TB prevention and care and facilitates their implementation.
4. provides specialized technical support for Member States and partners, working with WHO regional and country offices to catalyze change and build sustainable capacity.
5. monitors, evaluates and reports on the status of the TB epidemic and progress in financing and implementation of the end TB Strategy at global, regional and country levels.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technical leadership and managerial support within the Department/Programme in the area of TB diagnosis ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.
2. Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further the area of TB diagnosis for strengthening and improving technical capacity of target clienteles.
3. Manages the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient managing of a small team of technical staff, financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
4. Leads and conducts research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
5. Manages the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of Programme deliverables.
6. Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise.
7. Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in the area of TB diagnosis to position the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies.
8. Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for improved TB diagnosis.
9. Perform all other related duties as assigned. Specific duties:
10. Provide leadership to the Supranational Reference Laboratories (SRL) Network through, innovative resource mobilization strategies, monitoring and evaluation strategies (including SRL accreditation), strengthening of drug resistance surveillance using DNA sequencing platforms and sustainable technical assistance and training models.
11. Provide technical oversight to Global Laboratory Initiative (GLI) secretariat and coordinate the development of implementation guidance for laboratory strengthening efforts.
12. Provide leadership and knowledge on the use and interpretation of phenotypic and genotypic drug susceptible testing (DST) methods including whole genome sequencing for the detection of drug-resistant TB.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in microbiology or a closely related subject relevant to the functions of the position.
Desirable: PhD in microbiology or infectious diseases (preferably tuberculosis).

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in mycobacteriology and genomic work related to TB at national and international levels, and organization and management of laboratory systems including in the area of health policies and strategies. Demonstrated experience of working in a mycobacteriology laboratory. Demonstrated experience in managing human and financial resources. Demonstrated experience at the international level. A record of peer-reviewed publications on infectious diseases and/or laboratory systems.
Desirable: Experience in WHO or a sound understanding of its mandate and goals in the field of TB, or similar experience in another international organization/institution; experience in establishing laboratory capacity at country level; experience in managing SRL activities.

Skills

• Concrete skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.
• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies
• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.
• Good skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.
• Extensive knowledge of mycobacteriology, molecularbiology, genetics as well as organization and management of laboratories and laboratory systems.
• Extensive knowledge of applying TB control public health strategies to a laboratory context.
• Excellent managerial, organizational and analytical skills related to laboratory aspects of TB control.
• Proven skills in writing technical reports, scientific publications and funding proposals.
• Proactive inclination to problem-solving and ability to multi-task, work independently and under pressure.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 92,731 (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 6769 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

• 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/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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