LABORATORY TECHNICAL OFFICER (SSA)

Schedule: Full-time ..

.Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) in Liberia continues to support the Ministry of Health and the Public health institute to strengthen laboratory services in the context of health systems strengthening. Laboratories play an important role to improve quality of health care by ensuring timely detection of pathogens and confirmation of epidemic prone diseases. Support to clinical and public health laboratories in Liberia is critical post COVID-19; thereby improving capacities and capabilities of the health system during this recovery period. WHO in collaboration with partners will continue to provide the necessary technical and material support to improve clinical care services and public health laboratories. In this context, WHO will hire a national laboratory technical officer (NO B) to engage with government and partners on matters related to laboratory services.

The incumbent will provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) to strengthen the laboratory services including genomic surveillance for epidemic prone diseases beyond COVID-19 pandemic.

General Objective: To provide technical support to the ministry of health (MOH) and National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) to strengthen laboratory services in the country.

Specific Objectives

Specifically, the objectives of this function are to:

1. provide technical assistance in the use of new technologies for Laboratory capacity strengthening like genomic sequencing and bioinformatics for epidemic prone diseases.

2. facilitate comprehensive laboratory system assessment as required.

3. facilitate the development and adaptation of key laboratory technical documents.

4. provide technical assistance for External Quality Assurance and laboratories accreditation.

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5. strengthen coordination and strategic partnerships for laboratory services

Under the supervision of the WHE team lead with overall guidance and supervision from the WHO Representative, the incumbent will perform the following tasks as Laboratory Technical Officer:

1. Support the implementation of the WHO-HERA project for expanding Liberia's Capacity for Detection & Genomic Surveillance of Epidemic-Prone Pathogens.

2. Adapt and support the development and implementation of technical guidelines and standard operational procedures for laboratory services.

3. Coordinate Liberia’s participation in External Quality Assurance Systems of main laboratories.

4. Support the MoH and NPHIL to implement Influenza Like Illnesses, COVID-19 and Severe Acute Respiratory Tract Illnesses sentinel surveillance through safe collection, handling, shipment, storage, testing and analysis of specimens and reports submitted to WHO FluNet platform.

5. Support the implementation, reporting, performance assessment and evaluation of the approved laboratory prioritized activities.

6. Contribute to the national laboratory needs assessment and formulation of laboratory improvement plans.

7. Support capacity building of laboratory staff through trainings, on job supportive supervision and mentorships.

8. Support development of an accurate inventory control system for Laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment.

9. Support the implementation of the National Laboratory strategic plan 2023-2026.

10. Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the first and second level supervisors.

Deliverables.

1. Monthly technical reports

2. Lab reports for ILI/SARI submitted to WHO-FluNet

3. Lab technical guidelines, SoPs, protocols adapted/updated

4. Laboratory assessment report and improvement plan

5. Laboratory Management Information System improvement plan

6. Improved coordination mechanisms between clinical, veterinary and public health laboratories

WHO Competencies

a) Producing results

b) Communicate in credible and effective way

c) Effective use of resources

d) Teamwork

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e) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

f) Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Knowledge, Ability and Skills

Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of collaborating partners.

Excellent analytical skills to independently resolve problems, accomplished writing and computer skills with standard knowledge of office software applications, including word processing and spreadsheets.

Required Qualification

Education:

Essential

Bachelor’s degree in laboratory science or related field

Desirable

Master’s degree in medical laboratory science, Public Health or related field

Professional Experience

At least seven years of relevant testing and supervisory experience in the clinical laboratory environment.

Experience in managing public health laboratories will be an asset.

Knowledge of laboratory management and operations, including staffing, lab operations, laboratory procedures, supply chain management, quality assurance, and methodologies and equipment used for laboratory procedures.

Knowledge of the Liberian health system.

Language skills

Expert knowledge of English.

Working knowledge of French is an added advantage