Expedited SVN – Senior Laboratory Technologist (Mobile Team), G6 (Part-time work 50%)

This position is only open for internal candidates.

Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, internal candidates are considered first-tier candidates.

  Context

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the UN Migration Agency.  With 174 member states it is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. Established in 1951 and now active in over 400 field locations worldwide, IOM works with partners, government and civil society to: 

1. Assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration and mobility. 
2. Advance understanding of migration issues 
3. Encourage social and economic development through migration; and 
4. Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants and mobile populations.

   IOM’s Regional Office for the East, Horn and Southern Africa oversees, plans, coordinates and supports IOM activities within the region. Through a team of specialists, the Regional office is responsible for project review and endorsement and provides technical support to Country Offices in the region which include Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia,  Republic of Mauritius (also covering Seychelles), Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda,  Zambia and Zimbabwe particularly in the area of project development, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization, resource management, liaison coordination with regional and sub-regional governments, United Nations agencies and other key partners. 

   Under the overall supervision of the Regional Health Assessment Programme Coordinator (RHAPC), the direct supervision of the Mobile Team Coordinator, and the technical guidance of the Regional Laboratory Coordinator, the incumbent will be responsible for duties and responsibilities related to the Mobile Team in Sub-Saharan Africa.The Mobile unit is tasked to support the RHAPC in implementing pre-immigration medical examination activities in the region, particularly providing mobile missions and surge support to the country offices, capacity-building of medical personnel, and systematic monitoring and evaluation of the Health Assessment Programme in the region.

   1. Organize laboratory services and oversee daily activities in regard to mobile mission activities in the region for efficient and optimal service delivery while adapting services to prevailing local conditions, levels of expertise and available technology.
   2. Implement a laboratory quality management system according to national and/or international guidelines, towards compliance with ISO 15189:2012 or similar standards, in collaboration with the regional laboratory coordinator.
   3. Ensure that facilities and biosafety measures in the laboratory meet international standards and country requirements inform the Regional Laboratory Coordinator of any non-compliance and propose corrective actions. 
   4. Ensure that IOM quality standards for laboratory services are applied and meet the needs of HAP and other programmes or other project requirements through the development and maintenance of a laboratory quality manual that includes Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which are up to date and undergo annual review.
   5. Ensure that the equipment and consumables are sufficient for the anticipated workload. Plan and coordinate procurement, delivery, installation, maintenance and operation of all laboratory equipment and optimal expenditure of consumables required for the mobile missions.
   6. Implement and maintain the system of organized record keeping, using IOM LIMS and MedStock applications, and information management for timely delivery of results, data collection, analysis and reporting for laboratory monitoring and facilitation to operational research.
   7. Maintain and promote high quality with regard to international standards in all aspects of service delivery via internal quality control and organizing participation in external quality assurance according to IOM standards.
   8. Monitor needs of staffing levels for the planned workload. Participate in and facilitate recruiting, training, guiding and supervising laboratory staff.  Maintain records of staff development and training.
   9. Ensure that external laboratories performing testing on behalf of IOM meet IOM and national quality standards.
   10. In collaboration with the CMHO and  Regional Laboratory Coordinator assist in maintaining national licensing and/or recognition according to the national requirements or agreement required for the mobile missions. 
   11. Participate in annual HAP activities planning and budget preparation related to laboratory services of the mobile mission.
   12. Liaise on laboratory-related topics with national laboratories and laboratories in other countries, IOM Departments, and relevant national entities. 
   13. Establish, monitor, and ensure a system of laboratory customer services meeting the expectations of clients, medical personnel, and counterparts; prioritize clients’ interests and delivering of services with guiding principles of clients’ dignity, beneficence, and non-maleficence in a courteous manner by the laboratory.
   14. Ensure compliance with IOM instruction INS 278 and undertakes all designated mandatory training.
   15. Coordinate with the staff in the mPDA team, the Migrant Health Assessment Centre, and IOM country missions when needed. 
   16. Participate in the planning and preparation of the mobile missions and training sessions when required.
   17. Perform such other duties as may be assigned. Education
       • Bachelor's degree from an accredited academic institution in Medical (Clinical) Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology or a related discipline 
       • In addition, preferably, Master’s degree or higher degree from an accredited academic institution. 
       • A valid license to practice, if applicable. Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.   Experience
         • Four years for Bachelor degree holder with relevant clinical laboratory experience in a busy institution, preferably in a laboratory.
         • Proven management and/or Supervisory, organizational and planning skills.
         • Demonstrated experience in clinical laboratory techniques; 
         • Demonstrated ability to implement a laboratory quality management system; 
         • Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices laboratory biosafety; 
         • Demonstrate effective managerial and leadership skills in the provision of quality laboratory services;
         • Computer literate with good understanding of data collection and analysis for monitoring and continuous improvement of laboratory services and performance.
         • Awareness of the laboratory role in health systems, optimal use of resources for quality and efficient services delivery. Skills
           • Effectively applies and transfers relevant technical knowledge and practices to personnel and laboratory operations
           • Organizational skills; 
           • Communication skills. 
           • Good computer skills, especially in Microsoft Excel is essential. Languages

             Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required

             IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.   Required Competencies   IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.   Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
           • Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
         • Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
       • Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
   18. Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
5. Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated. Core Competencies – behavioural indicators (Level 2)
6. Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.