Consultant - Microbiology (bacteriology) Laboratory - (2300572)

Purpose of consultancy

To develop high quality, proficient global laboratory networks for bacterial vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) surveillance.

Background 

In the context of building laboratory capacity for the diagnosis of bacterial VPDs, the Consultant will facilitate the development and maintenance of high quality, proficient global laboratory networks for bacterial VPD surveillance. This work will require strong collaboration with key technical partners and ensuring resources are available to support implementation of activities, develop global guidelines and set priorities to enhance laboratory capacities to provide high quality laboratory data to support public health surveillance. 

Deliverables: 

• 1.1:  To perform routine screening of WHO documentation, published scientific literature and laboratory guidelines, and provide reports of needed updates and changes to ensure the WHO-coordinated bacterial VPD laboratory networks are consistent with global guidelines including maintaining standards for accreditation as well as external quality assurance.  
• 1.2:  Facilitate implementation of the WHO laboratory testing guidelines across the global network laboratories.

Expected by late 2023.

• 2.1:  Evaluate newly developed rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) for typhoid and other bacterial diseases through:
• landscape analysis of the diagnostic market.
• developing target product profiles for each testing platform and each pathogen.
• develop an expression of interest for manufacturers for kit performance evaluation according to WHO prequalification standards.
• guide the actual kit evaluation.
• facilitate the development of the report on the kit performance evaluation, and 
• submit the final report for publishing.  
• 2.2:  Prepare recommendations and guidelines for the RDT’s evaluation and use in the clinical laboratories. 
• 2.3:  Develop Target Product Profiles (TPP) for Typhoid laboratory assays.
• 2.4:  Develop and submit an Expression of Interest and conduct kit performance evaluation for Typhoid tests.
• 3.1:  Contribute to developing guidelines and manuals for vaccine-preventable bacterial infections as well as capacity building of lab personnel and facilitating training and procurement of essential diagnostics to network laboratories.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in clinical microbiology or public health laboratory science or a related field. 

Desirable:

• PhD/Doctorate degree in bacteriology or microbiology laboratory sciences.
• Training in epidemiology and data analysis.
• Training in managing data and producing graphics.

Experience

Essential:

• At least seven years of relevant experience working in laboratory-based surveillance or laboratory networks coordination and data analysis in the public health sector.
• Demonstrated experience with the implementation of quality assurance and laboratory accreditation.

Desirable:

• Relevant experience working with countries and laboratories in low resource settings.
• Experience in molecular data analysis including DNA sequence alignment and phylogeny.
• Demonstrated experience in health sector programme coordination and implementation. 
• Experience working in the UN system or other significant partner organization in the field of laboratory practices.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and/or coordinating development of manuals for laboratory procedures including but not limited to standard operating procedures (SOP) for laboratories.
• Extensive experience and knowledge in coordinating and managing laboratory scientific projects.

Skills

• Solid understanding of VPD laboratory and surveillance networks. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory methods for diagnosis of bacterial VPD pathogens, quality assurance systems and managerial skills. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory networks and laboratory methodology and quality assurance/quality control.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate VPD laboratory networks.
• Demonstrated understanding of, and formulating effective responses to, the unique challenges of public health surveillance in the developing world
• Strong analytical and writing skills to identify critical technical issues and prepare a variety of documents, able to present and explain complex ideas and information in a succinct, logical way that is easy to understand.
• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to clearly communicate information orally and in writing, to a diverse professional staff, regarding public health surveillance operations, laboratory procedures, requirements, standards, or special project activities and progress.
• Ability to work as a member of a team in a multi-cultural environment and a partnership to achieve common goals, and to work and manage the networks independently.
• Proven ability to work towards deadlines and within budget constraints, in collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the UN system, including knowledge of WHO country, regional and global functions.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: 

• Intermediate knowledge of French.