Background

To support implementation of laboratory capacity to strengthen National Public Health Laboratory capacity and networks for the diagnosis and control of emerging infectious diseases.  Specifically, to work with the National Centre of Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), NCLE is the public health laboratory act as reference for outbreak investigation national wide and confirmatory laboratory.

Purpose/Specific Objective of the Activity

        The consultants will be based at the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology, Vientiane, Lao PDR and provide technical assistance in strengthening capacity of laboratory staff, developing and implementing structured programs for laboratory quality management systems and biosafety/biosecurity.

Description of activities to be carried out

     The APWs will report to, and be guided by, the WHO Country Office.  In collaboration with the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry of Health of Lao PDR, the WHO Representative, and the Emerging Disease, Surveillance and Response (ESR) team, the APW will conduct the following activities and submit regular reports for each activity, including proposed next steps:

1. Provide necessary oversight, training, and technical assistance to the bacteriology laboratory in NCLE including Bacterial culture of clinical specimens by using appropriate culture media, identification of isolated microorganism using different biochemical tests and procedures, serologic typing sera, susceptibility testing of identified bacteria and bacterial PCR.
2. Assist Lao MoH in establishment of EQA programs for microbiology and hematology.
3. Support Lao MoH in developing National Quality Standards and quality guidelines for clinical and public health laboratories including of laboratory quality assessment tools.
4. Support Lao MoH in implementing of laboratory quality management systems at national public health laboratories and selected laboratories to build capacity of laboratories to meet the National Quality Standards.
5. Perform laboratory quality assessment of selected laboratories and provide reports to NCLE and WHO.
6. Assist Lao MoH in develop a structured biorisk management programs and training materials for laboratory Biosafety Officers in Lao PDR.
7. Perform biosafety and biorisk assessment at selected laboratories and develop a work plan for improving of laboratory biosafety and provide reports to NCLE and WHO.
8. Assist NCLE in setting up national laboratory networks and provide other technical assistance as required e.g. development of network SOPs and standard forms.
9. Provide support and user training for the implementation and monitoring of the programs including prioritization of activities to be implemented (action plan) based on results of laboratory assessments.
10. Perform other duties as directed by direct supervisor and the WHO representative in Lao PDR.

Method(s) to carry out the activity

• Provide technical report for diagnostic bacteriology testing at NCLE and international EQA panel performance.
• The consultant will assist NCLE with preparation and distribution of a national bacterial EQA panel to be used to evaluate performance of network laboratories.
• Support training in Biorisk management and Quality management systems as they relate to the microbiology and clinical laboratories (as report).
• Assist NCLE to perform a gap analysis of available SOPs with priorities for development/revision. (Modify existing SOPs, draft new SOPs).
• Catalogue of essential (and optional) reagents, supplies and equipment required to support diagnostic bacteriology, serology and molecular biology at NCLE.         

Description of the tasks/process involved in carrying out the activity

      The APW will work closely with the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Vientiane, Lao PDR and provide technical assistance and training. The consultant will report to and be guided by the WHO Country Office, Surveillance and Response (ESR) team. In collaboration with the NCLE, Ministry of Health of Lao PDR and the WHO/Laos.

Education

• Essential:         University degree in health sciences or laboratory sciences or relevant areas.
• Desired:           Postgraduate degree or training in microbiology and molecular biology desirable

Experience

• At least 10 years experience of training on laboratory theory with focus on laboratory diagnostics for infectious diseases including bacteriology diagnostic serology and molecular biology, preferably in a large or international organization or multinational corporation, Technical Support and policy review: should have a strong educational and work background in Diagnostic microbiology specifically related to bacteriology and antimicrobial resistance. Experience of working with public health and or clinical diagnostic laboratories is highly desirable. Candidates should have significant laboratory work experience, particularly in implementing and managing laboratory biosafety and quality management systems and in providing laboratory management training.
• Desirable: Experience in working for public health laboratory function, planning implementation and monitoring of activities at a national level work plan such as an annual national laboratory work plan. The consultant should be ability to interact effectively with health professionals at various levels and to work with national counterparts, nongovernmental organizations and international agencies.  Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

  Skills

• Skills in planning, training, program implementation and monitoring and evaluation of interventions. The candidate should have strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of local languages (reading, speaking) and English (reading, speaking, writing)

Competencies
Proficiency in standard MS Office applications including MS Excel, MS Word and MS PowerPoint.

Interested should submit following documents to the [email protected] by 7 September 2016. Please use Tender Notice No. 49000 as subject to all submissions. Contract start date on 1 January 2017 with a duration of 12 months.

• Expression of interest (cover letter)
• WHO personal history form or CV

Please note that the application may be closed before the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. Only the successful candidates will be contacted