Laboratory Scientist (Rotavirus Laboratory)

Under the overall supervision of the WHO representative, the incumbent is expected to undertake the following duties:

• To provide the technical support for the validation and molecular characterization of Rotavirus samples received from EMRO.

• Management of appropriate written SOPS, Biosafety standards, laboratory supplies and equipment inventories

• Monitor the Implementation of the Quality Assurance/Quality control (QA/QC) System and actively participate in the External Quality Assessment (EQA) Program developed by WHO.

• Appropriate quality control (QC) procedures, in-house QC, Annual proficiency test; referral of selected specimens to Global Reference Laboratory (GRL) for validation if required.

• Confirmation of diagnosis of clinically suspected cases of Rotavirus using antigen detection ELISA kits.

• Provide analysis for rotavirus genotype identification and characterization of untippable and unusual strains from rotavirus network laboratories in the region using standardized methodologies.

• Sequencing of representative rotavirus strains and evolutionary tracking of viruses.

• Conduct on-site visits to monitor the hospital sentinel sites using the WHO laboratory questionnaire. Reports of the visit with recommendations to improve the laboratory capacities should be submitted to WHO regional office within two weeks after the visit.

• Conduct research and participate in collaborative studies aimed at improving or developing methods of rotavirus identification and characterization.

• Provide recommendation for the prescribed and alternative tests for viral diagnosis according to geographical scenario

• Laboratory data analysis and meeting laboratory target indicators for the Rotavirus laboratory-based surveillance.

• Provide scientific and technical training to the staff working at Rotavirus sentinel sites working in different provinces of Pakistan and other countries of EMRO and give feedback on technical issues and reports writing.

• Share monthly report to WHO country office, VPI/EMRO and National EPI manager.

• Participate in different meetings organized by WHO, EPI and NIH.

Competencies required:

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Producing results

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• Data Management skills.
• Demonstrable skills and experience of working in molecular biology/virology
• Expertise in the use of MS Office tools i.e. MS Word, MS Office, MS PowerPoint.

Language: Excellent knowledge of English and local language (Urdu).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• Appointment of selected candidate will be on Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) issued by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for a period up to three months which is further extendable based on multiple factors including job performance, programme need, and funding availability. LICA is a non-staff contract whereby the signatory has the status of a contractor and not considered in any respect as being a staff member of either the World Health Organization (WHO) or UNOPS. As such, there will be no employer-employee relationship between the signatory and the contracting Organization.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an 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.
• For information on WHO\s operations please visit https://www.who.int

Minimum Education: Bachelors
Minimum Experience: 2 Years(At least 2 years of relevant experience is mandatory. Experience of working on thermal cycler, Real-time PCR assays, Genetic analyzer and software applications for molecular biology is desirable.)