SENIOR LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Org. Setting and ReportingECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. The mission is guided by ECA's five new strategic directions which are: Advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues. The position is located in the UN Health Care Center at the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The incumbent will report to the Medical Officer or designated Official. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority the Senior Laboratory Technician is responsible for the following duties: General Administration Duties and Responsibilities (Laboratory Management): • Operational Oversight: Oversee daily operations of the clinical laboratory, ensuring efficient workflow and timely delivery of results. • Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and laboratory accreditation requirements, including ISO standards. • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS): Oversee the development and implementation of and regularly update SOPs for all laboratory processes to ensure consistency and quality in testing. Human Resource Management: • Recruit, train and supervise laboratory personnel, fostering a culture of excellence and continues improvement. • Conduct performance evaluations providing constructive feedback and support for professional development. • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with medical and nursing staff to ensure effective integration of laboratory services in patient management. • Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss laboratory findings, implications for treatment, and any necessary follow-ups. • Stakeholder Engagement- Laisse with external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and professional organizations, to stay informed on best practices and compliance requirements. Manages Quality Assurance of the Laboratory Unit: • Coordinates the establishment of the quality management system based on the latest version of ISO 15189 standard, supports its implementation and coordinates activities pertaining to quality in the laboratory. • Ensure that the laboratory complies with the accreditation requirements and has an excellent understanding of ISO 15189. • Conduct regular internal audits and assessments of laboratory practices to ensure adherence to established protocols. • Validate test results of all samples before final reporting to clinicians. • Implement corrective actions and preventive measures to address any identifies deficiencies. • Perform Procurement, Inventory and Contract Management duties for the Laboratory Unit Needs Assessment: • Conducts regular assessment of laboratory needs to determine necessary equipment and supplies. • Assesses demands of the Laboratory Unit in consultation with the management/CMO, by identifying areas of improvement in consistence with strategic plans through formal and informal means. • Vendor Management- Identifies potential vendors and conducts market research to evaluate options for laboratory machinery and supplies. • Vendor Contracts: Takes Umoja related actions including shopping carts for contracts as well as supplies through procurement units. • Procurement Process- Oversee the procurement process, including purchase orders, inventory management, and timely delivery of laboratory materials. • Monitor vendor performance and report any issues related to service delivery or product quality. • Take other relevant actions on time, including preparing annual procurement plans for consumable items and accessories of the Laboratory Unit for on time budget allocation and efficient utilization of available resources. • Prioritizes, prepares and submits procurement plan for equipment with enough justification for new demands, replacements and/or upgrades timely in order to align budget approval with available resources in time. • Prepares generic technical specification or scope of work for goods and services to be procured for the Laboratory Unit in consultation with the experts by consistently following UN principles of procurement for effective procurement. • Prepares pre-defined technical evaluation criteria for evaluating bid documents to select the best fit in accordance with the UN Procurement Manual. • Prepares and raises shopping carts and purchase orders for the goods and services to be procured for the Laboratory Unit, adhering to the set rules for on time submission, approval and procurement within a specified period. • Follows up and closely works with Procurement Unit in the bid process by offering all available information to facilitate the process and efficiently utilize available resources. • Performs technical evaluation of bid documents for laboratory items as a primary evaluator against a pre-defined criteria in a manner which avoids bias, adheres to procurement principles transparently for efficient procurement. • Performs receipt and inspection of goods procured for the Laboratory Unit to ascertain adherence and execute payment by closely working with other sections. • Prepares the service delivery report for satisfied services offered by different companies after evaluating all relevant documents for effective execution of payment for the services offered. • Ascertains payment request generation for the goods and /or services procured and offered as a primary recipient, reviewing the documents and evaluating them against contract for an efficient settlement of bills. • Archives and maintains all procurement documents in a confidential manner, as future reference in consistence with established rules with identification. • Corresponds with procurement unit, business partners and their agents, shipping unit, inventory unit, finance section for a smooth procurement process and finalization of payment for goods and services received. • Executes all Low Value Procurements for the Laboratory Unit following established rules using available platform for efficient utilization of resources. • Keeps custody of all equipment in the Laboratory Unit. • Maintains stock of all consumable items in the Laboratory Unit and replenishes stock within reasonable lead time. • Participates in the periodic inventory exercise with inventory unit colleagues and maintains a database of the inventory. • Advises on the goods and records for disposal and works with the inventory/disposal units to ensure the exercise is carried out efficiently and in accordance with established rules. • Ensure that all procured equipment meets safety and performance standards. Perform budget and finance administration for the Laboratory Unit: • Budget Preparation- Prepare and manage the laboratory budget, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and financial sustainability. • Expenditure Monitoring – Monitor laboratory expenditures and implement cost-control measures to optimize resource use. • Prepares annual budget plan for the Laboratory Unit with tangible justification for on time approval and execution during a specified performance period. • Follows up and executes the approved and allotted budget on a regular basis by closely working with finance unit for on time utilization of the budget. • Cross-checks the appropriateness of the billing for all the services offered by the unit on a daily basis to help efficient financial operation. • Follows up on cash collection for cash paying clients before and after each laboratory service for an efficient cost recovery for the services offered by reviewing the appropriate document on the available platform. • Facilitate payments for vendors after proper receipt of services or goods to the laboratory unit by closely working with Finance Offices. • Periodically reviews, revises and proposes service fees for the laboratory services offered in the unit based on market trends. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge and hands on experience in laboratory examinations and and reporting. The ability to perform laboratory test processing, archiving, retrieving and sharing in a digital platform with solid skills in computer applications and laboratory reporting . Knowledge in patient preparation for different laboratory tests, proper guidance for preparation of examinations. Ability to inspect laboratory samples and tests. Knowledge in organizational rules and regulation in budgeting, procurement, inventories management and disposal of items. 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. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. manage the laboratory team plan and performance efficiently. Client orientation: - Considers all those to whom services are provided to be \"clients\" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent is required. Training in laboratory quality management is required. College diploma in Clinical Laboratory technology is desirable. Additional training in Management related fields is desirable. Possession of a degree in the field is an advantage. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten (10) years of progressive working experience in a full-service laboratory unit or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to eight (8) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Hands-on experience in laboratory service including procurement process, vendor management, and contract negotiation is required Work experience: 1 year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise (technical written tests) which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis position is VC (Voluntary Contribution) fund. This vacancy is subject to availability of post. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgment within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira \"Contact Us\" link. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. 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