Org. Setting and Reporting

This position located in the Health Service of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Juba. The Laboratory Officer reports to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) through Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO). The incumbent provides evidence-based diagnostic or therapeutic decisions for the patients. Clinical laboratory services are the most cost effective, least invasive source of the objective information used in clinical decision-making & have a direct impact on many aspects of patient care including, length of stay, patient safety, resource utilization, and customer satisfaction. Supports the health campaigns, mass testing for detection of chronic diseases & early medical management, surveillance of infectious diseases, and control, all of which necessitate the need for an oversight supervisory function, timely replenishment of laboratory reagents; provision of input on specifications for the purchase of laboratory equipment; provision of weekly & monthly reports; trend analysis; ensuring that the operations of laboratory services are not affected.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Laboratory Officer will be responsible for supporting the following duties:

Medical Administrative Duties:
• Adapt, coordinate the development and implementation of technical guidelines and standard operational procedures (SOP) for laboratory testing practices including outbreak detection, specimen collection, packaging and shipment from patients for Biochemistry, Haematology, Parasitological and Bacteriology, among others.
• Provide technical expertise and operational support for the timely response to outbreaks/epidemics and health emergencies, in collaboration with national health officials, including laboratory staff, and other partner organizations.
• Cooperate with partners in improving diagnostics services, quality and environmental management, equipment maintenance, safety and biosafety for laboratories.
• Manage the implementation, reporting, performance assessment and evaluation of the approved activities and ensure proper communication with partners as appropriate.
• Contribute to strengthening the national capacity at the health laboratories; assess training needs and provide training for laboratory personnel in the related technical areas.
• Oversee updating and maintaining the related reporting and information systems, documenting the response and laboratory strengthening activities, as and when required.
• Cooperate with the design of logistics and procurement plans for a proper laboratory supply across the country to ensure laboratories’ effective role in the diagnosis of the diseases.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess and evaluate the performance of the laboratories and identify critical areas to strengthen the laboratories’ capacity for detection and diagnosis of common and epidemic pathogens.

Clinical Duties:
• Monitor and analyse the laboratory results for communicable diseases and advise on effective control measures and procedures on specimens when indicated.
• Establish facilities and carry out bacteriological and histopathological examination on collected samples.
• Develop and manage autopsy services, and carry out post-mortems, when indicated in Mission Hospital.

Supervisory Administration:
• Train, assist and supervise the daily activities of the Laboratory Technician assigned to the medical section.
• Manages day-to-day mission medical support operations by ensuring availability of medical supplies and proper functioning of medical equipment.
• Ensures appropriate training programs are implemented in order to maintain and develop the medical capabilities of laboratory staff.

General:
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to analyze and produce laboratory results with maximum precision leading to reliable results. Demonstrates initiative and professional judgment in applying SOPs, Rules & Regulations to cover special cases and in exceptional circumstances. Strict adherence to prevailing policies governing UN staff conduct and responsibilities. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the area of pathology and infectious diseases, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, laboratory science or related field is required. A first-level university degree in medical field (MBBS) combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in pathology field maybe accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible of combined national and international experience in the in the field of Medical Laboratory Science is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.