Consultant - Laboratory Strengthening

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergencies Program (WHE) is dedicated to building the capacity of Member States to manage emergency risks. Established to coordinate international health responses when national capacities are overwhelmed, WHE aims to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The organization operates globally, focusing on enhancing operational, technical, and normative capacities in emergencies, addressing all health hazards across the risk management cycle. WHO's mission is to strengthen local and national capabilities in public health emergencies, ensuring preparedness and response mechanisms are in place to tackle outbreaks and natural disasters effectively.

Job Overview:
The Consultant - Laboratory Strengthening will play a crucial role in supporting the laboratory detection and diagnosis of communicable diseases across 21 Pacific Island Countries (PICs). This position involves providing technical guidance to public health laboratories and health facilities, enhancing their capacity to respond to public health threats. The consultant will assess laboratory systems, coordinate activities, and develop country-specific strengthening plans aligned with International Health Regulations (IHR) requirements. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including WHO Regional Office, national health authorities, and regional partners, to ensure effective outbreak detection and response. The consultant will also focus on building workforce capacity through training and mentoring programs, ensuring that laboratory personnel are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle emerging health challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct situational analyses of laboratory systems across prioritized PICs to inform strengthening priorities.
• Coordinate laboratory activities in conjunction with WHO and regional partners.
• Liaise with public health laboratories regarding testing capabilities and capacity needs.
• Conduct laboratory capability assessments covering testing modalities, biosafety, human resource capacity, and quality management systems.
• Develop country-specific laboratory strengthening plans based on assessment findings.
• Provide ongoing technical guidance on diagnostic protocols and quality practices.
• Support antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and infection prevention and control programs.
• Provide technical guidance on the procurement and installation of laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Build the technical and leadership capacity of laboratory workforces through structured training and mentoring. 1
• Strengthen laboratory information management and specimen referral systems to improve diagnostic data quality.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a university degree in health sciences or laboratory sciences, with certified training in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and laboratory techniques. A postgraduate degree in microbiology or molecular biology is desirable. Candidates must possess a minimum of five years of relevant experience in laboratory services and management, particularly in the context of communicable diseases and health emergency responses. Experience in planning and conducting training activities is essential, while experience in establishing laboratory infrastructure and evaluating diagnostic assays is desirable. Familiarity with public health principles, clinical laboratory management, and the ability to advise government counterparts on policy and technical areas are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a university degree in health sciences or laboratory sciences from a recognized institution. Essential training in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and laboratory techniques is required. A postgraduate degree at the master’s level or above in microbiology or molecular biology is considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of experience in practical and operational application and management of laboratory services, particularly in the diagnosis of communicable diseases. Relevant international exposure, especially in outbreak response and health emergencies, is essential. Candidates should have experience in planning and implementing laboratory investigations at the national level, as well as prior experience in conducting training activities. Desirable experience includes establishing laboratory infrastructure for microbiology, evaluating novel diagnostics, and working with Ministries of Health to strengthen public health laboratories.

Languages:
Fluency in English is essential for this position. A working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable, as it may enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders across the Pacific region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is based on-site at the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) in Suva, Fiji, with potential travel within PICs. The expected duration of the contract is 11 months, with remuneration set at BAND B between USD425 and USD499 per day, based on qualifications and experience. Travel costs are excluded from this remuneration.