Consultant - VPD Laboratory, Manila

Purpose of consultancy

To provide support to the overall coordination of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) laboratory networks for polio, measles and rubella, rotavirus, Japanese encephalitis (JE) and invasive bacterial diseases (IBD) with expanding VPD lab capacity, laboratory surveillance and capacity building. The candidate will also support efforts in moving towards an integrated approach for communicable diseases elimination throughout laboratory surveillance for the Integrated Communicable Diseases (ICD) unit addressing needs related to gaps in monitoring laboratory capacity for other communicable diseases, including:

• review cell sensitivity testing results from Polio Network Laboratories and provide technical guidance on how to improve the performances of the polio laboratories;
• support in the arrangement of shipment of samples for confirmatory testing from VPD network laboratories to Global/Regional Reference Laboratories on the agreed timeline;
  
  • Measles and Rubella
  • JE
  • Rotavirus
  • provide support and schedule of distribution and shipment of laboratory supplies and proficiency/ EQA panels, and monitor receipt of shipment and results of the EQA panels;
    
    • Poliovirus
    • Measles and Rubella
    • JE
    • Rotavirus
    • ensure laboratories share data on the agreed timeframe and expected quality; 
    • support procurement of laboratory supplies and consumables for priority countries in collaboration with WHO COs; 
    • support WHO annual accreditation by desk/on-site review in coordination with the WHO Country Offices (WHO CO) and Ministry of Health; and
    • under general supervision of the VPD laboratory coordinator support the ICD team to understand the needs for laboratory support of various programmes in ICD.

      Background

      The World Health Organization in the Western Pacific Region has established laboratory networks for poliomyelitis, measles and rubella and Japanese encephalitis (JE) as well as for rotavirus infection and invasive bacterial vaccine-preventable diseases (IB-VPDs) to support surveillance and monitor implementation of immunization programmes to these vaccine preventable diseases. The Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization (VDI) team, within the Division of Programmes for Disease Control (DDC) collaborates with 500 public health laboratories in the region covering these vaccine-preventable diseases. The role of these laboratory networks is critical in achieving the region's goal of measles elimination, maintaining polio-free status and Japanese encephalitis control.

      The performances of polio and measles/rubella network laboratories have been monitored through well-established WHO accreditation system.

      Regional or sub-regional hands-on training courses have been conducted to keep and maintain the performance of laboratories to the accreditation level. WHO/WPRO also supports these laboratories through the provision of laboratory supplies to ensure the quality of various tests they are performing.

      Deliverables

      1. Provide technical and logistical support in collaboration with Supply Unit and Registry Unit: 
         • procurement and delivery of laboratory supplies such as equipment, reagents and testing kits, consumables; 
         • shipment of the laboratory supplies to countries/WHO country offices for maintenance of VPD laboratory operation/services; 
         • coordinate shipment of confirmatory samples from VPD Network labs to Global/Regional Reference laboratories; 
         • receipt of inbound shipment of lab supplies and EQA panels and ensure proper storage of the goods; and 
         • arrangement shipment of remaining 2024 and 2025 proficiency testing panels for VPD lab network
         • Support VDI Team to maintain Diphtheria Anti-toxin (DAT) stockpile in the Western Pacific Region and arrange distribution as necessary. 
           • Coordinate with WHO CO on the need of DAT by Member States (MS) 
           • Support VDI Data Team in improving the quality and timeliness of laboratory data exchange between WHO and Member States. 
           • Provide technical support during outbreak of vaccine preventable diseases and emerging diseases in collaboration with the Health Emergency Team in the Regional Office such as training on specimen collection, storage and transport of samples to Reference Laboratories.\\
           • Provide technical support in: 
             • liaising with the polio laboratories to ensure reports are completed in the Global Polio Laboratory Network Management System (GPLNMS);
             • conducting desk review of checklists through GPLMNS for annual accreditation report of 2024 laboratory performance of polio network laboratories;
             • preparing polio accreditation certificates; and
             • reviewing cell sensitivity reports from polio network laboratories and provide feedback for improvement as needed 
             • Support the ICD team leads to provide technical support to establish/strengthen laboratory capacity for other communicable diseases in ICD team.

               Output 1: Reports on cell sensitivity, confirmatory testing, and shipment of laboratory supplies and other related reports 
               Deliverable 1.1: Updated accreditation listing for polio, measles and rubella and JE laboratories; 
               Deliverable 1.2: Updated summary of results of WHO proficiency tests and confirmatory testing of network laboratories; 
               Deliverable 1.3: Updated monitoring of kits/reagents and shipping

               Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

               Educational Qualifications: 

               Essential: Recognized university degree in life science, medicine, molecular biology or medical virology rom an accredited / recognized institute.
               Desirable: Training or qualification in bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/or epidemiology and laboratory techniques.

               Experience: 

               Essential: At least five years' of practical and operational application of laboratory services, and laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases at the subnational, national and international levels. Knowledge and experience of QC/QA essential. 
               Desirable: Expertise in selection of appropriate equipment and reagents/kits for current project. Previous experience working in WHO setting.

               Skills/Knowledge:

               • Good computer skills in Microsoft Office.
               • Experience in procurement and shipment of equipment and laboratory kits etc.
               • Technical expertise in all operational aspects of laboratory performance.
               • Sound knowledge in Quality Assurance Systems for laboratories.
               • Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational background and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.
               • Excellent communication, interpersonal and diplomatic skills, with the ability to foster consensus and team spirit.

               📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

               ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

               Languages and level required:

               Expert knowledge of written and spoken English is required (read-write-speak)

               Location 

               Off-site with travel to VDI/WPRO office in Manila, the Philippines.

               Travel 

               The consultant is expected to travel nationally and internationally. 

               Remuneration and budget

               Currency: Pay band level A, USD 4000 per month 
               Duration: 7.5 months, May to December 2025

               Additional Information

               • This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
               • Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
               • A written test may be used as a form of screening.
               • If your candidature is retained for 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: http://www.who.int.
               • The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. 

               The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. 

               Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

               • An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice. 
               • WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
               • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
               • Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. 
               • WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
               • Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical 
               service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
               • In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.