Metagenomics Trainer

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Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy  

The consultant will work in collaboration with the Public Health Institute in Ankara, and Regional Public Health Laboratories in Türkiye in close collaboration with the key project staff members and laboratory experts at the WHO Country Office in Türkiye. Under the guidance of the project coordinator and laboratory experts, the incumbent will act as the NGS and bioinformatics trainer within the scope of the project. S/he will provide technical support to the Ministry of Health (MOH), particularly the Public Health Institute and Regional Public Health Laboratories.

Background  

The mission of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for all countries, to strengthen their health emergency preparedness, readiness, and response systems overall, both at national and sub-national levels.

The “Strengthening national capacities against COVID-19 and other public health emergencies” project funded by the EU and implemented by MoH with the technical collaboration of WHO Country Office Ankara, aims to further strengthen laboratory capacities for COVID-19 diagnosis and surveillance and other emerging and re-emerging pathogens of epidemic potential, reinforcing health security in Türkiye. Within the framework of the project, WHO will provide technical guidance and operational support to the Ministry of Health in the detection and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and timely diagnosis, surveillance and reporting of emerging and re-emerging pathogens, in compliance with the WHO recommended standards. To do this, WHO is supporting the Public Health Institute and Regional Laboratories to strengthen their capacity and capability to conduct next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic analysis for SARS-CoV-2 and other priority pathogens and to develop a national genomic surveillance strategy to guide this work.

 Deliverables

Deliverable 1: Develop a training on metagenomic analysis including:

a)      Metagenomic sequencing definition, metagenomic studies design, sample collection and preservation techniques, methods for extracting metagenomic DNA, preparation of metagenomic libraries, data analysis and bioinformatics, genomic epidemiology, and ethical, legal and social implications.

b)     Understanding the use cases of metagenomic sequencing for public health

c)      Hands-on exercises

Deliverable 2: Develop pre- and post-assessment tests for the training and evaluate the results.

           Deliverable 3: Deliver the training and write a report.

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in life science, biomedical science, medicine, veterinary medicine, or medical virology from an accredited/recognized institute. Certified training or qualification in molecular biology, microbiology, virology, NGS and bioinformatics.

Desirable: Training in Public Health or Public health laboratory practice is an added advantage.

Experience  

Essential 

- At least two years of experience in molecular biology/microbiology/virology laboratory with a special focus on diagnosis and/or research.

- Expert knowledge in the application of molecular techniques for genomic sequencing, through knowledge of microbiological, clinical and laboratory surveillance.

- Ability to work with national and international staff in the laboratory setting.

- Previous experience with organizing and teaching similar courses.

Desirable

Proven track record of successfully contributing as an international laboratory science specialist and expert knowledge in global SARS-CoV-2/other pathogens databases is an advantage.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential: Metagenomics sequencing and bioinformatics, use of Next Generation Sequencing for Public Health, data analysis and reporting

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of the English language

Desirable: Expert knowledge of the Turkish language

Location 

On site: WHO Country Office for Türkiye, Ankara

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded)

a.   Remuneration: Payband level B - Remuneration currency Turkish Lira- Payband range 2,045 USD (for 20 working days) 

Band level NOB for 20 full working days, in a period of 2 calendar months.

b.     Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

     Not applicable for offsite and onsite for insurance purposed

c.      Expected duration: Full time for a period of 2 calendar months (20 days per month).

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=

 Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:

a)      Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.

b)      All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided.

c)      Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

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.