Online Volunteer for Community of Practice

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the World Health Organization (WHO), which is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established in 1948, WHO has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's strategic framework aims to strengthen health laboratory services in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, focusing on quality management systems and accreditation readiness.

Job Overview:
The position of Online Volunteer for Community of Practice is designed to support the WHO's Integrated Disease Surveillance and Laboratory Unit (CSL) in enhancing laboratory quality management systems (LQMS) across the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The volunteer will play a crucial role in the design and implementation of a structured mentorship program aimed at preparing public health laboratories for ISO 15189 accreditation. This involves curating and adapting mentorship tools, developing a standardized mentorship approach, and facilitating a digital Community of Practice (CoP) in collaboration with Project ECHO. The volunteer's contributions will help foster continuous professional development, peer-to-peer learning, and sustainable knowledge exchange among Member States, ultimately strengthening regional laboratory quality systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Online Volunteer will be responsible for organizing and facilitating Community of Practice (CoP) webinars and related activities. Key duties include supporting the facilitation of Q&A sessions during ECHO webinars, assisting in the documentation of CoP activities, discussions, and key learning outputs, and ensuring that webinars are well-coordinated with aligned agendas and engaged speakers. The volunteer will also be tasked with summarizing relevant CoP discussions and documenting key learning outputs from the webinars to ensure that valuable insights are captured and shared with participants.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for this position should possess strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. A background in public health, laboratory services, or a related field is preferred. Familiarity with online platforms for webinars and community engagement is essential. The volunteer should be proactive, adaptable, and capable of working independently while also collaborating with a team. Experience in facilitating discussions or webinars is a plus, as is a commitment to the mission of WHO and public health improvement.

Educational Background:
A degree in public health, laboratory sciences, or a related field is preferred for this position. Candidates with relevant certifications or training in quality management systems, laboratory accreditation, or community engagement will be viewed favorably. Educational qualifications should align with the responsibilities of supporting laboratory quality management and facilitating professional development activities.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have some experience in public health or laboratory services, particularly in roles that involve community engagement, training, or mentorship. Previous experience in organizing webinars or facilitating discussions is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a capacity for independent work and collaboration in a virtual environment, showcasing their ability to contribute to the goals of the WHO effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as all communications and documentation will be conducted in English. Proficiency in Arabic or French would be considered an asset, as it would enhance communication with a broader range of stakeholders in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Additional Notes:
This is a no-cost UN Volunteer assignment, which means that the position is unpaid. The duration of the contract is not specified, but it is expected to align with the ongoing initiatives of the WHO in the region. The role is designed to be flexible, allowing for remote work, which can accommodate volunteers from various locations. The position is part-time, with specific hours dedicated to organizing and facilitating webinars and related activities.