BACKGROUND

The experience in few PICs with large-scale community transmission shows the need to strengthen and sustain public health laboratory systems. By acting urgently, PICs may have an opportunity to slow transmission and prepare their health systems to mitigate the impact of the outbreak.

On 3 July 2020, 412 cases of COVID-19, including 7 deaths have been reported across the Pacific. These numbers have increased on 14 April 2021, where 27,139 COVID-19 cases and 286 deaths reported in the Pacific. The 23 laboratories in PICs that are currently conducting COVID-19 testing must be supported and sustained. The establishment of additional rRT-PCR laboratories will improve testing capacity as one of the core elements of national public health responses to outbreaks. Despite this progress in PICs, challenges still exist in procuring laboratory supplies, lack of technical capacity to evaluate new diagnostics and assays, uncoordinated long-term planning and overstretched health systems.

Therefore, technical support must be provided by a laboratory expert to work with PICs and partners to coordinate actions to ensure critical issues are evaluated and addressed daily. Ultimately, a resilient and sustained national public health laboratory system in PICs will prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to current and future infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

• To provide technical support to Pacific Island Countries (PICs) public health laboratory in response to COVID-19 outbreak.
• To support the implementation and operation of RT-PCR and other diagnostic testing on COVID-19 in 14 PICs, in line with regional and global guidelines.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output: Provide technical support to PICs public health laboratory in response to COVID-19 outbreak

Deliverable 1.1: Complete at least one webinar training on COVID-19 testing based on country needs

Deliverable 1.2:  Complete a report and recommendation on new and alternative assays and kits suitable and affordable for rRT-PCR testing and other diagnostics for COVID-19

Deliverable 1.3: Finalize and submit the final report on the assessment of PICs public health laboratory response

Deliverable 1.4: Finalize and submit a draft plan for improving public health laboratory preparedness and response

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

• • Work with PICs and partners to provide advice, guidance and training on the use of GeneXpert, BioFire and rRT-PCR machines and monitoring of COVID-19 testing.
• • Work with WHO/DPS to validate and finalize the assessment report on PICs public health laboratory response.
• • Coordinate with WPRO & overseas reference laboratories to identify and evaluate new and alternative assays and kits suitable and affordable for rRT-PCR testing and other diagnostics for COVID-19 in PICs.
• • Provide technical expertise and operational support on all components of laboratory system to PICs that are newly establishing and implementing rRT-PCR testing and other diagnostics for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, in collaboration with WPRO, WHO country offices, national health officials, laboratory staff, and other partner organizations.
• • Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree (Master’s level or above) in life science, medicine or medical virology from an accredited/recognized institute. Certified training or qualification in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/or epidemiology and laboratory techniques.

Desirable: Master’s level degree in public health or health related field.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of practical and operational application and management of laboratory services, laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases at the national and international levels. Some related experience in outbreaks and/or health emergency response of international impact, including supporting GeneXpert and RT-PCR testing, assays evaluation, protocol development and laboratory service improvement planning.

Desirable: Experience in training, assessment and establishing or improving laboratory infrastructure for microbiology and/or detection of infectious diseases.

Skills

Should demonstrate expertise in conduct laboratory assessment, developing plan and support its implementation.  Should also have knowledge on public health and clinical laboratory system. Can identify challenges and provide appropriate solutions. Good interpersonal skills and capable of facilitating consultation meeting, interview, and workshop. Good analytical thinking and writing skills.

Languages

High level of written and spoken English

Competencies

• • Excellent writing skills
• • Communicating (both in writing and verbally) in a credible and effective way;
• • Producing results within the given timeframe;
• • Moving forward in a changing environment;
• • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences; and
• • Fostering integration and teamwork

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The duration for the assignment is from July to December 2021 (part time or full time)

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < [email protected] > by 1 July 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. 132018 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.