Vacancy Notice No: EMRO/08/TA1 Contract type: Temporary appointment Duration of contract: Temporary appointment for 18 months Duty Station: KABUL Afghanistan Organization unit: Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) WHO Representative’s Office in Afghanistan – Division of Communicable Disease Control (DCD) – Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization (VPI)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : Strengthening lab-based surveillance of measles and other vaccine preventable diseases in Afghanistan.
Description of duties: 1. To support in upgrading existing laboratory facilities by identifying needed quality-certified laboratory equipment, reagents, consumables and other supplies 2. To build capacity for diagnosis of most common communicable diseases at the Central public health laboratory a. organize training of health workers on basic laboratory diagnostic methods on immunoassays (e.g. Using Enzyme enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the laboratory diagnosis of Measles, rubella, rotavirus etc.) and bacteriology (detection and identification of etiological agents for infectious agents like Heamophilus influenza type b, streptococci pneumonia, Neisseria meningitis, bordetella pertussis, etc) b. train central health workers on safe collection/handling of specimen for early detection of epidemic-prone diseases and for proper storage of samples or isolates c. institute a system for specimen recording and timely reporting and maintaining lab database as well as linking lab data with surveillance program
3. To develop standard laboratory operating procedures for each diagnostic procedure
4. To assure the quality of laboratory practice: quality assurance, quality control, biosafty and chemical waste managements;
5. To institute a system of specimens transfer and shipment to the regional reference lab for Quality Control, serotyping/genotyping of the identified organisms as part of the invasive bacterial diseases and rotavirus surveillance networks in the EMR;
ensure continuous availability of needed supplies and reagents and instituting a system of inventory and replenishment of consumable supplies.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Medical/science degree with master or PhD degree in clinical laboratory science.
Skills: - Excellent interpersonal communication skills with extensive training experience. - General background in communicable diseases surveillance and immunization with background on biostatistics is required.
Experience: At least 7 years of experience in laboratory health services in international institutions.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of English. Working knowledge of the languages of the Region is an asset.
Additional Information: Other entitlements will be determined based on the length of assignment. A written test may be used as a form of screening.
Note: In view of the current security situation, Kabul has been declared a non-family duty station; i.e. dependants are not allowed to visit or reside with the staff member at the duty station. Accordingly, the Special Operations Approach (SOA) will apply. For each SOA duty station, an administrative place of assignment (APA) is designated where the family may be installed. The salary, post adjustment, benefits and allowances will generally be based on the approved APA, which in this case will be Islamabad.
In addition, the staff member will receive a Special Operations Living Allowance (SOLA), which is a monthly lump sum representing the Organization’s contribution towards the staff member’s living expenses at the SOA duty station.
Please note that the SOA status may change to reflect developments in the security situation. This, in turn, may affect the staff member’s compensation package.
Monthly salary: (Net of tax) US $ 5152,8 at single rate US $ 5533,4 with primary dependents Post Adjustment: 52.6 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO’s e-Recruitment website at: The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
Applications from women and from nationals of non- and under-represented member states are particularly encouraged. Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
