World Health Organisation Tender

Background Infectious Diseases Have For Centuries Ranked With Wars And Famine As Major Challenges To Human Progress And Survival. They Remain Among The Leading Causes Of Death And Disability Worldwide. Against A Constant Background Of Established Infections, Epidemics Of New And Old Infectious Diseases Periodically Emerge, Greatly Magnifying The Global Burden Of Infections. In Lao People’s Democratic Republic (pdr), Apsed Has Guided The Development Of The Multi-year National Work Plan For Emerging Infectious Diseases And Public Health Emergencies And Health Security (work Plan) By The Ministry Of Health (moh).  Laboratory Is One Of The Key Focus Areas Under The Work Plan. Although Substantial Progress Has Been Made, There Continues To Be Gaps In Capacities For Lao Pdr To Anticipate, Prevent And Respond To Public Health Threats.   Purpose/specific Objective Of The Activity The Consultant Will Provide Technical Assistance In Strengthening And Expanding Of Covid-19 Testing Capacity Nationwide And Monitor Its Quality And Develop Covid-19 External Quality Assurance Program.   Description Of Activities To Be Carried Out Provide Technical Assistance In Strengthening And Expanding Of Covid-19 Testing Capacity Nationwide And Monitor Its Quality And Develop Covid-19 External Quality Assurance Program.   Methods To Carry Out The Activity The Consultant Will Report To And Be Guided By The Who Country Office. The Consultant Will Conduct The Following Activities And Submit Regular Reports For Each Activity, Including Proposed Next Steps: Provide Technical Assistance And Support To Moh In Developing Of Workplan And Provide Recommendations In Expanding Of Covid-19 Testing Capacity By Rt-pcr To All Remaining Provinces. Provide Lectures Of Covid-19 Testing To New Established Covid-19 Testing Laboratories And Support Establishment Of New Laboratories. Support Moh In Conducting Consultation Meeting With Provincial Laboratories To Assess The Performance Of Covid-19 Testing And Provide Recommendations As Needed. Support Moh In Developing Of Quality Assurance Program To Ensure The Quality Of Covid-19 Testing. Support Lao Association For Medical Laboratory Science (lamls) In Conducting Covid-19 Webinars To Enhance The Safety And Quality Of Testing. Provide Technical Support To The Virology Laboratory In Ncle In Validating Of Covid-19 Related Reagents Such As Viral Transport Medium, Pcr Reagents, Extraction Kits. Support Ncle In Establishment Of Covid-19 Proficiency Test And Developing Of Report. Provide Technical Support To Mahosoth Laboratory In Performing Data Analysis Of The Panel 9 Of Haematology Eqa Program. Support The Preparation Of National Biosafety Trainers To Attend International Biosafety Trainings And Webinars Identify Correct Specifications For The Procurement Of Covid-19 And Influenza Laboratory Reagents, Supplies And Equipment.   Qualifications & Experience Education Essential: Bachelor’s Degree In Medical Technology Or Related Degree And Master’s Degree In Clinical Microbiology Or Related Degree With The Focus On Laboratory Diagnostics For Infectious Diseases Including Virology Diagnostic, Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic, Serology And Molecular Biology.   Experience Essential: The Consultant Should Have At Least Seven Years’ Substantial Work Experience In Public Health And Clinical Diagnostic Laboratories, Particularly In Molecular Testing, External Quality Assurance (eqa) Program Management, Implementing And Managing Laboratory Biosafety And Quality Management Systems And In Providing Laboratory Trainings. The Consultants Must Be Familiar With The Iso: 15189 Laboratory Quality Standards, Who Laboratory Quality Stepwise Implementation (lqsi) Tool And The Who Laboratory Biosafety Manual. Desirable: Working Experience In Covid-19 Testing In Lao Pdr Or Asean Countries Is An Advantage.   Technical Skills & Knowledge • Capable Of Developing Programs And Materials That Are Adapted To The Local Laboratory Environment In Order To Promote Sustainability. • Skills In Planning, Training, Program Implementation And Monitoring And Evaluation Of Interventions Are Essential. • Familiar With The Iso: 15189 Laboratory Quality Standards, Who Laboratory Quality Stepwise Implementation (lqsi) Tool And The Who Laboratory Biosafety Manual. • Strong Communication Skills. • Proficiency In Standard Ms Office Applications Including Ms Excel, Ms Word And Ms Powerpoint Are Essential.   Languages Advanced English (speaking, Reading And Writing) Is Essential.   Competencies Technical Expertise Communication In A Credible And Effective Way Producing Results   Additional Information: Work Arrangement: Remote Work Duration Of Contract:      4 Months   Applications Qualified And Interested Specialists Should Submit Their Cv And Expression Of Interest {cover Letter} To The Supply Officer Through Wp Ro Ungm At < Wproungm@who.int > By 15 September 2021.  The Cover Letter Should Outline How Their Experience And Qualifications Make Them A Suitable Candidate For This Position And Should Include Their Proposed Daily Consultancy Fee And Availability. Please Use Tender Notice No. 140846 As Subject To All Submission. only Successful Candidates Will Be Contacted.