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1. Area of expertise:
Laboratory Consultant - National
2. Purpose of consultancy:
The Purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to national and state level public health reference laboratory to strengthen the national laboratory testing capacity for diseases of public health importance in line with the national integrated diseases surveillance and response strategy. The consultant will provide technical support through on-the-job training, development of laboratory testing SOPs, improving quality assurance, biosafety and bio security as well as laboratory information system by working with the national and state level public health reference laboratory and coordinating with the ministry of health.
3. Background
Since the COVID-19, the capacity of the national public health capacity has expanded, as of today, seven public health reference laboratories have been established and conducting testing of pathogens of public health importance in the country. Somalia has developed a new national integrated diseases surveillance and response strategies where public health laboratory plays a critical role to support the surveillance, timely case detection, confirmation and monitor progress of diseases outbreak through advanced laboratory testing and national and state level. Around 28 diseases of public health importance have been identified and included in the IDSR. Building the capacity of the public health reference to be able to test these diseases is required as per the national IDSR strategy through technical and operational support at national and state level public health reference. WHO as technical agency is closely working with the Federal Ministry of health to strengthen the capacity of the public health reference laboratories with the aim to establish testing capacity to all diseases of public health importance under the IDSR that ultimately contributes to timely detection, testing and reporting of diseases of public health importance as per the IHR requirement.
4. Deliverables
Output 1: to support establishment of public health laboratories and support existing laboratories towards producing quality, timely results and provide a wider range of testing service in Somalia
Deliverables:
• recommend structure of implementation plans for integration of new technologies and diagnostics e.g. Real Time PCR, GeneXpert and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) into testing algorithms
• organize and facilitate training for national laboratories staff on the newly introduced technologies and diagnostics.
• Train the national and regional laboratories staff on laboratory testing of diseases of public health importance as per the national IDSR.
• Guide national and regional laboratories in Somalia to strengthening of laboratory-based surveillance capacities including sample collection, ELISA, Real-Time-PCR, RDTs, Bacterial culture and antimicrobial resistance.
• Train the national and regional laboratories on data management and analysis and reporting of laboratory results and support the establishment of laboratory management information system.
• Develop training materials for national laboratory quality standards.
• Provide technical input in developing SOPs and LQMS related documented such as bench aids for laboratories performing laboratory surveillance of COVID 19, influenza.
• Conduct trainings to selected laboratories staff on Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) to assist them with the assessment towards accreditation compliance with ISO 15189: 2012.
• Prepare master list of standard laboratory regents, supplies and equipment required for testing diseases under the IDSR.
• Conduct biosafety and bio-risk management to biosafety officers at all levels
• Assist laboratories in preparation of laboratory Quality and Safety Manuals in line with WHO SLMTA guidance.
• Conduct supportive supervision to the state public health reference laboratory and provide on the job technical support, prepare field visit report with recommendations for improving the testing capacity.
Educational Qualifications:
Essential: Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University in Medical Laboratory Sciences or Medical Laboratory Technology and
Desirable: Master’s degree in one of the Medical Laboratory streams; microbiology, bacteriology, virology, molecular biology, infectious disease, laboratory management, parasitology, biochemistry
Experience
• 5 to 6 years of relevant experience of implementing/establishing and strengthening of the national public health reference laboratory, establishment of public health laboratories in low middle-income countries
• The consultant must have at least three years of substantial practical work experience in medical laboratory set up or public health research laboratory with bench-top experience in real time PCR, ELISA, GeneXpert, bacterial culture, RDTs and other basic laboratory techniques.
• Familiarity with essentials of Laboratory Quality Management System, and Biosafety and Biosecurity is essential
• The consultant must have basic knowledge of implementation of laboratory quality management system with regard to ISO: 15189 laboratory quality standard, WHO Stepwise Laboratory Implementation towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) tool and the WHO laboratory Biosafety manual.
• Basic knowledge and experience of specimen referral system
Skills/Knowledge:
• Good communication and report writing skills.
• Knowledge and negotiating skills on handling government officials and UN agencies.
Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):
Essential: Expert in English Language
Expert knowledge of Somali is essential
Desirable:
Intermediate knowledge of another UN language is an added advantage.
6. Location
On site: The Consultant is expected to work in Mogadishu.
7. Travel The consultant will be based in Mogadishu, Somalia, with frequent travel to all states in Somalia to support the state level clinical and public health laboratories.
8. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
a. Remuneration: Payband level - Remuneration currency - Payband range
NOC, USD 6,012.83
b. Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited): currency and rate : Living expenses will be determined through TR raised by travel unit in Somalia Country Office.
c. Expected duration of contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year): 6 Months
Additional Information (For HR use only):
• 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.
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• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
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