Scientist (Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Diagnostics and Laboratory Strengthening – ( 2105548 ) 55 views

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Divisionis to define, advance, promote and monitor comprehensive policies and strategies that prevent, reduce, and mitigate drug-resistant infections and the overall impact of antimicrobial resistance globally based on the Global ActionPlan on Antimicrobial Resistance and the 13th Global Programme of Work of WHO and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The AMR Division provides global direction and strategic leadership for the global response to antimicrobial resistance in coordination with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and other United Nations and international agencies and facilitates the creation of common goal and vision through innovative partnerships, political engagement and promoting multisectoral engagement and synergy across the One Health spectrum in humans, animals, plants, food, feed and the environment. Its main objective is to support the development,implementation, and monitoring of One Health National Action Plans for MemberStates and facilitate the mainstreaming of effective strategies and actions,including on the prevention and control of infection, antimicrobial stewardship, awareness creation and communication, research and development intheir health and development agendas in partnership with FAO, OIE and other key partners.The Department of Surveillance, Prevention and Control (SPC) in the AMR Division leads the implementation efforts of National Action Plans onAMR as the backbone to achieving the five objectives of the Global Action Planon AMR; reinforces strategic country-level capacity to mitigate the spread of AMR in health facilities and communities; coordinates global surveillance and consumption monitoring efforts across the human-animal interface to support the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance; monitors and reports on national and global progress towards achievement of the of the GAP, the triple billion targets of WHO’s 13th Global Programme of Work and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Unit of Control and Response Strategies (CRS) in theSPC Department leads the Global Strategy of AMR research and innovation inthe human health sector; supports access to early and quality AMR diagnosis through microbiology laboratory network strengthening, and supports laboratory supply chain management and the rational introduction of new laboratory technologies at different level of the health system.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Manage the sub unit area of work in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a small team of technical staff, to optimize the programme’s deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
• Coordinate and convene stakeholders, including collaborating centers provide technical guidance and works closely with counterparts in technical departments across the Organization and liaises with counterparts in partner UN Agencies, Donors, Collaborating Centers and other stakeholders to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to Public health and the facilitation of successful implementation of national and/or global health programmes.
• Develop and monitors work plans and budgets for the team’s activities and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.
• Develop policies, norms and standards on AMR diagnostic stewardship and on the use and interpretation of phenotypic and genotypic resistance testing methods, including targeted and whole genome sequencing for the diagnosis of bacterial/fungal infections and antimicrobial drug resistance.
• In collaboration with partners and stakeholders, establish and manage a Global AMR Laboratory Network, establish a laboratory working group and convene technical consultations to support the AMR laboratory agenda support operational research related to the introduction of new and innovative diagnostic tools and technologies for the identification of resistance in common human bacterial/fungi pathogens; strengthen access and capacity in microbiology and diagnostics laboratory area by developing training materials, supporting quality management, laboratory supply management, external quality assurance system, and laboratory biosafety.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced degree (i.e. Master degree ) in microbiology or closely related subject (infectious diseases, or biomedical science with specialization in clinical microbiology).

Desirable: PhD or equivalent in microbiology, infectious diseases, public health or health sciencesTraining in epidemiologyTraining in clinical microbiology analysis (phenotypic, genetic and proteomic methods) and bacteriology drug susceptibility testing.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 7 years’ professional experience in clinical bacteriology (phenotypic, genetic and proteomic methods), including laboratory procedures for related drug susceptibility testing and in the organization and management of laboratory systems relevant to the detection of common bacterial and fungi pathogens with resistance potential.
• Training in human bacterial microbiology,including laboratory procedures for antibiotic susceptibility testing and resistance mechanism detection in common bacterial pathogens causing acute infections
• Experience in laboratory quality management and supply management
• Documented experience in writing technical reports, developing research projects, health policies, strategies, and technical documents in the field of microbiology and AMR.
• Demonstrated experience of working at the international level
• Documented experience in project management.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications on infectious diseases and/or laboratory systems.
• Documented experience of participation inmulti-agency collaborative projects.
   

Desirable:

• Experience working with WHO or a sound understanding of its mandate and goals in the field of AMR, or similar experience in another international organization/institution.
• Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources.
• Experience in assisting low- and middle-income countries to develop laboratory capacities for AMR diagnostics and surveillance.

Skills

• Expert knowledge of bacteriology, molecular biology,genetics as well as organization and management of laboratories and laboratory systems for AMR testing
• Expert knowledge of AMR mechanisms, and analysis and interpretation of antimicrobial susceptibility data including phenotypicand genotypic aspects.
• Training in molecular methods to identify AMR mechanisms (e.g., sequencing methods, metagenomics).
• Expert knowledge of laboratory information management systems software (LIMS).
• Experience with laboratory accreditation procedures Sound knowledge of applying infectious diseases control programmes/public health strategies to a laboratory context.
• Documented skills in developing research projects and technical documents in the field of microbiology and AMR and in developing and establishing policies and strategies.
• Good skills in mobilizing resources.
• Excellent inter-personal skills with ability to cooperate, guide, advise, and negotiate with technical and funding agencies,and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with international and national staff at all levels.
• Proven skills in writing technical reports,scientific publications and funding proposals.
• Proactive inclination to problem-solving andability to work under pressure.
• Proven ability to develop effective working relationships with government officials, scientists and different cultures.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure; ability to multi-task and problem-solve.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• 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 74,913 (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 5082 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 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• 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 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.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.