National Professional Officer

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. Within the Programme, this project contributes to strengthening national capacities against COVID-19 and other public health emergencies. The project, which is funded by EU and implemented by MoH with the technical collaboration of WHO Country Office Ankara, aims to further strengthen laboratory capacities for diagnosis and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging pathogens of epidemic potential, reinforcing health security in Türkiye and to strengthen laboratory systems for improved preparedness and response to public health threats in the earthquake affected areas.

Within the framework of the “Strengthening national capacities against COVID-19” project and in alignment with the EU contribution agreement, the incumbent will provide technical expertise and operational support to the Ministry of Health and partners in timely response to outbreaks/epidemics and health emergencies through managing the laboratory related activities in compliance with the WHO recommended standards. 

Duties: 

• The incumbent will provide technical expertise and operational support to the Ministry of Health and partners in implementing laboratory related activities within the framework of the project and in alignment with the EU contribution agreement.
• Technically guide and coordinate technical staff, short-term experts and consultants to ensure high quality implementation of project activities.
• She/he will establish and maintain collaborative networks involving national and international organizations, governmental and nongovernmental institutions, professional and scientific societies, liaise with other units/teams.
• Assist with the development of workplans and activity budgets, and support monitoring, evaluation and reporting of project implementation.
• Lead technical and operational support to enhance genomic surveillance capacity in Türkiye and expand capacity of public health laboratories in the earthquake affected region to conduct genomic surveillance for a range of priority pathogens.
• Enhance the institutional and policy capacity of laboratory and surveillance system by leading the development of strategies, guidelines, standard operating procedures and other national/sub-national guidance documents.
• Lead the technical support to the strengthening the capacity of public health and laboratory staff on next generation sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics and molecular epidemiology through the development and delivery of trainings to enhance the use of genomic sequencing data for public health action.
• Coordinate and provide expert technical guidance on implementation of the National genomic surveillance strategy and costed action plans.
• Design and deliver capacity building workshops and training initiatives to strengthen the capacity of public health and laboratory staff on next generation sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics and molecular epidemiology and enhance the use of genomic data for public health action.
• Provide strategic and operational support to strengthen the laboratory system in the earthquake affected provinces to detect public health threats, including vector borne diseases, via workshops, on-site training, and mentoring and supervisions field visits.
• Enhance the institutional and policy capacity of laboratory and surveillance system by leading the development of strategies, guidelines, standard operating procedures and other national/sub-national guidance documents.
• Coordinate and oversee execution of large-scale procurements of laboratory equipment and supplies for public health laboratories in the earthquake affected area.
• Other tasks as requested by the supervisors.

Education:

• Essential: A first university degree in molecular biology, genetics, biomedical science, veterinary medicine, medicine or medical virology from an accredited/ recognized institute.

Experience:

• Essential: At least five years of practical and operational application using molecular technique for rapid typing and whole genome sequencing, and management of laboratory services, laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases at the national levels. Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings at national level. Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.

Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of response operations and their implementation in emergencies as related to public health, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations.
• Excellent skills in the monitoring and analysis of emergency situations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively.
• Tact, discretion and ability to promote consensus.
• Proficiency in standard computer applications e.g. electronic communication, database searches and management, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and planning software.

Language Skills:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Turkish.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2409695