Consultant – To facilitate and coordinate all laboratory related activities of the WHO RSV surveillance
( 2306074 )
Contractual Arrangement : External consultant
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 11 months – part-time at 80%.
Job Posting: Jul 7, 2023, 8:18:33 AM
Purpose of consultancy
To contribute in providing laboratory related technical expertise to National public health laboratories engaged in RSV surveillance.
Background
The Global Influenza Programme coordinates the WHO global RSV surveillance project that leverages the capacities of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) in 25 low- and middle-income countries and more, in all the six WHO regions. The project aims to develop epidemiological and virologic standards for RSV surveillance, monitor the geographic spread, seasonality, disease burden and genetic evolution of the RSV to better inform the development and introduction of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.
The project is implemented in coordination with the WHO regional and country offices, national public health laboratories, and Ministries of Health to build country capacities to implement high quality surveillance for RSV and contributes to the development of operational models of integrated surveillance of GISRS.
Deliverables:
- To collaborate with the RSV reference laboratories in developing standards for RSV molecular diagnostics and sequencing and external quality assessment for RSV.
- To contribute in preparing the documentation of surveillance activities, information products including project reports, slides and advocacy material.
-
- WHO external quality assessment for RSV for 2023.Expected by: December 2023
- Practical operational recommendations for RSV sequencing.Expected by: March 2024
- Scientific manuscripts (laboratory and genomics related).Expected by: August 2024
- Monthly report on progress of laboratory related surveillance activities.Expected by: every month
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages.
Educational Qualifications:
Essential:
- Advanced university degree preferably in microbiology, virology, public health.
Desirable:
- PhD in virology or molecular biology.
Experience
Essential:
- At least 10 years of experience working with RSV or influenza virologic surveillance at the national, regional or global level.
Desirable:
- Experience in sequencing, genomic analysis, bioinformatics.
Skills/knowledge
- Excellent writing and communication skills.
- Knowledge of laboratory protocols for molecular testing and biosafety.
- Knowledge of bioinformatics and genomic analytics.
Languages required:
Essential:
- Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:
- Expert knowledge of French and Spanish.
Location
Off-site
Home based.
Travel
The consultant is not expected to travel.
Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
Remuneration:
Band level B-USD 7,000 – 9,980 per month.
Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):
N/A
Expected duration of contract:
11 months. Part-time at 80%. Remuneration will be pro-rated accordingly.
Additional Information
- This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test may be used as a form of screening.
- If your candidature is retained for 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.
- For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
- 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.
- Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
- WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
- Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html
