OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) is part of and contributes to the work of the Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control (DPC) cluster in the WHO African region. The ESPEN programme focuses on supporting Member States in achieving SDG targets related to the preventive chemotherapy neglected tropical diseases (PC-NTDs), investing in fostering Member State investments in elimination of five neglected tropical diseases amenable to preventive chemotherapy - lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis, and trachoma - in the WHO African Region and in selected countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region, and as guided by the DPC strategic agenda. The vision of the DPC cluster is an African Region where access to health care services at all levels is optimized to provide responses that lead to control, elimination and eradication of targeted diseases, allowing people to thrive in healthy environments, attaining the highest possible standard of health and well-being, through the life course. The goal of the cluster is to drive attainment of relevant SDG targets in the WHO African region. The mission is to build an African Region that is resilient, agile and responsive to the complex requirements of its diverse populations, using an integrated, multi-sectoral approach that fosters cooperation and collaboration to support Member States' investments in disease control and prevention, building healthier populations, using equity-based and people-centred approaches. The cluster strategic directions are as follows: (1) Leadership in coordination, partnership, strategic communication and resource mobilization; (2) Generation of strategic information and knowledge products; (3) Development of WHO technical products, services, and tools; and (4) Country support facilitation and institutional capacity building. The overall objective of the ESPEN programme is to provide leadership and ensure action in Member States towards reducing morbidity, mortality, and disability associated with NTDs. Towards this objective, the ESPEN programme focuses on facilitating integrated, evidence-based, and people-centred approaches.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direction of the ESPEN Team Leader and the direct supervision of the ESPEN Laboratory Head. The incumbent will be expected to undertake the following duties:1.Leadership in coordination, partnership, strategic communication and resource mobilization:•Ensure the general supervision of all tests performed in the laboratory by ensuring that protocols and SOPs are rigorously respected•Coordinate and supervise the development of the laboratory's biological sample repository •Collaborate closely with the Diagnostics and laboratory services Unit (HSS) Team lead on any laboratory matters to align the planning and activities of the ESPEN Laboratory with the regional strategy on diagnostics and laboratory for effective coordination and integration towards the strengthening of laboratory systems in countries. 2.Generation of strategic information and knowledge products:•Oversee the development, validation, and dissemination of standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality assurance systems, and reference testing protocols •Ensure the laboratory contributes to defining regional norms and reference standards for quality assurance in NTD diagnostic networks•Document and disseminate best practices and laboratory protocols across national NTD laboratory network.•Provide technical support for the implementation of various collaborative operational research activities and contribute to the preparation of scientific reports and publications.3.Development of WHO technical products, services, and tools:•Contribute to discussion on priority PC-NTDs diagnostic Target Product Profiles based on identified country and regional disease control needs•Produce and disseminate annual performance reports of the work of the ESPEN laboratory, including research findings to support NTD elimination strategies4.Country technical support facilitation:•Analyze the results of all assays performed in the laboratory and discuss with the laboratory head.•Provide accurate and timely data for decision-making on NTD elimination in endemic countries. •Contribute to planning and facilitating inter-country and in country-trainings to build capacity of nationals in laboratory analytics of epidemiological, entomological and environmental samples for NTDs. 5.Perform other related duties as requested by the ESPEN Team Lead.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First university degree in Molecular Biology, Parasitology, Vector Biology, Hosts-Parasites relations or other related laboratory sciences.
Desirable: Master's degree and PhD in Molecular Biology, Parasitology, Entomology, Vector Biology, laboratory sciences.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of national and international experience in applied molecular biology, related to the surveillance activities of onchocerciasis and other priority NTDs in Africa.
Desirable: Working experience with WHO and a good publication record on onchocerciasis and other NTDs would be an asset. Capacity to work with people of different cultures.

Skills

•Excellent knowledge of the epidemiology of onchocerciasis (distribution, transmission, the socio-economic impact) and control and elimination strategies in the African Region•A good knowledge of the epidemiology and the control strategies of lymphatic filariasis and or other NTDs•Ability to organise and manage a functional laboratory.•Ability to conduct country laboratory needs assessment in capacity building and coordinate training sessions to build capacity of nationals in laboratory techniques related to onchocerciasis, LF, and other PC-NTDs.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of French.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of English.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 71,335 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2277 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an 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.

According 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. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.

The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

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WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. 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.

Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

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 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 final candidates.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

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.

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*For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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Molecular Biologist