Technical Officer
Diagnostics Advisor (Treatment, Care and Service Delivery for Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes
( 2309240 )
Grade : P4
Contractual Arrangement : Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 12 months
Job Posting: Oct 24, 2023, 10:00:00 PM
The Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes (HHS) hosts the WHO’s Global HIV Programme, the Global Hepatitis Programme (GHP) as well as the Global Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Programme. These programmes are guided by the Global Health Sector Strategies on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (GHSS) 2022-2030 which were endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 2022. The programmes have the following strategic directions: 1) Deliver people-centered evidenced-based services; 2) Optimize systems, sectors and partnerships for impact; 3) Generate and use data to drive decisions and action; 4) Engage empowered communities and civil society; and 5) Foster innovations for accelerated action. The 2022-2030 GHSS’s are linked to achieving the goals of the 2016-2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (or the Sustainable Development Goals), in particular the goals of ending AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; and achieving universal health coverage and healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages by 2030. The objective of all three Programmes is to lead an effective, organization-wide effort to support Member States in the implementation of the global health sector strategies. The programmes provide technical and strategic leadership and leverages the capacity of other headquarter departments to contribute to achieving the goals of ending AIDS, viral hepatitis B and C and sexually transmitted infections by 2030. The programme also works closely with WHO Country Offices, through the Regional Offices in order to maximize WHO’s country and person-centered impact guided by the General Programme of Work to advance universal health coverage, protect people from health emergencies, and promote better health and well-being for all. The treatment, care and services delivery (TAC) Unit of the HHS Department leads the development and provision of updated therapeutic and diagnostic norms and standards, provides technical support to countries and strengthens relevant partnerships to catalyze actions for reducing incidence, mortality and morbidity from HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, towards the goal of ending these epidemics, while improving quality of care and advancing universal health coverage through a primary health care approach.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
- Conduct and or facilitate evidence reviews to support new global guidance work closely with the technical counterparts and other relevant stakeholders and facilitate evidence generation and research mapping exercises on product selection and use in the area of diagnostics and multiuse diagnostic platforms.
- Provide technical expertise for the development of norms and standards and target product profiles (TPPs) for HIV, STIs and Hepatitis diagnostics for priority needs from low-middle income countries and inform WHO department of Prequalification (RPQ) of these priorities to ensure rapid assessment and review according to the standards for PQ.
- Develop and maintain a network of HIV, viral hepatitis and STI diagnostic experts to support WHO’s normative work in this area.
- Facilitate appropriate engagement of technical partners, including activities and working groups of the International Diagnostics Consortium (IDC), Global Diagnostics Working Group (GDWG), and the Diagnostic Synergy and Diagnostic Network Optimization (DNO) workstreams; support the convening of consultations, writing reports, and accurately filing all relevant information.
- To support the accelerated introduction and scale-up of new laboratory diagnostic technologies by developing and updating normative and implementation guidance for countries at different levels of the health system.
- Support and liaise with the WHO Department of Health Product Policy and Standards and the Department of Regulation and Prequalification on their technical leadership in implementing the WHA resolution on Strengthening diagnostics capacity through the prequalification of new diagnostics, and treatment and drug toxicity monitoring products.
- Quickly develop and adapt implementation guidance for new pre-qualified diagnostic products.
- Work with Regional and Country Offices in providing targeted assistance to priority countries for the introduction of new point-of-care (POC) technologies and provide technical assistance to early adopter countries to scale (conventional and POC) technologies while also introducing novel diagnostic platforms.
- Facilitate information sharing and capacity building. Contribute to the development and maintenance of web pages regarding up-to-date publications and other communication materials related to Diagnostics.
- Any other duties as assigned by the supervisors.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential : An advanced university degree in laboratory medicine (microbiology, immunology, pathology) or any other relevant diagnostics-related field.
Desirable: Doctorate in Laboratory Medicine.
Experience
Essential : At least seven years experience, in a national and international context, in laboratory medicine in the area of HIV, viral hepatitis and/or STIs, including three years of experience working in resource-limited settings.
Desirable: Documented experience with the development and promotion of HIV, viral hepatitis, STI diagnostic norms and standards and training materials. Experience in diagnostics and laboratory quality assurance and support.
Skills
- Demonstrated knowledge of HIV, viral hepatitis and/or STI diagnostic technologies and their application in resource-limited settings.
- Skills in providing technical assistance to national HIV, viral hepatitis and STI programmes and capacity building.
- Proven ability to adapt, develop or produce normative guidance and to support their roll-out in low-resource settings.
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
- Ability to communicate and write in a clear and concise manner.
- Tactful, and sensitive to issues and needs of external partners.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Use of Language Skills
Essential : Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Beginners knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Spanish, Chinese or Russian).
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 77,326 (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 5368 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 Temporary 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.
- According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
- 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.
- The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
- WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States ( https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion ) are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
- An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
- The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
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