Position Title: Sub-Regional Laboratory Coordinator for East and Horn of Africa
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3
Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 27 April 2023
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
Context:
Under the overall supervision of the Regional Health Assessment Programme Coordinator and direct supervision of the Senior Regional Laboratory Coordinator for Africa and Middle East, the Sub-Regional Laboratory Coordinator for East and Horn of Africa will be responsible for coordinating the laboratory services with respect to migration Health Assessment Programmes (HAP) and other programmes or projects implemented by the IOM Migration Health Division in EHoA region. IOM laboratory services typically focus on the effective diagnosis of selected health conditions for the purpose of ensuring migrants’ health is properly addressed and to protect public health of host- and receiving communities.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
- Coordinate and guide IOM Laboratory services in the EHoA Region for quality, effective,timely and cost-effective service delivery to IOM programmes and projects by identifying the best practices and adopting these across the region.
- Establish laboratory services in IOM operations, to support and respond to HAP needs. Determine and advise on the mode of obtaining laboratory services via either the establishment of IOM laboratories or sub-contracting external laboratory providers.
- Conduct, in collaboration with management, periodic in-depth review of IOM laboratory services in the EHoA Region for evaluating effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and optimum utilization of services to inform strategy adaptation or development.
- Facilitate the implementation of a global standardization plan of laboratory services across the region by preparing guidelines for the laboratories to be converted into Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); monitor international laboratory standards and advise on means of adopting these to the best level possible considering realities and regulations of countries of operation. Participate in development of monitoring tools, review processes for Migration Health Division (MHD) programmes and projects.
- Advise laboratory and other medical programme staff in the Region on laboratory related matters and assist in finding solutions, including effective diagnostic tools for disease detection, equipment needs, procurement, quality system setup, training and performance monitoring.
- Implement, in collaboration with IOM laboratories, the laboratory quality management system for continuous quality monitoring and improvement. Facilitate to or provide training to IOM laboratory staff in the development, implementation and monitoring of internal laboratory policies, work plan, performance monitoring and service improvement.
- Guide laboratory supervisors in developing long term strategic and work plans addressing the needs of each laboratory aligned with MHD and EHoA regional strategies to improve the health status of migrants through enhanced diagnostic capacity.
- Analyze IOM laboratory produced data and monitor laboratory services to ensure that quality and standards are met in accordance with international standards and requirements of host and receiving countries in IOM and contracted health facilities in the Region and advise on corrective action to be taken.
- Liaise with IOM medical teams in the region, health assessment officials from resettlement countries, with national counterparts, governmental and non-governmental entities, and professional bodies. Liaise with other IOM Departments and Country Offices’ management to ensure required goals are met.
- Undertake travel duty within the region to evaluate and oversee the quality of laboratory services for migrant populations. Undertake such travels on behalf of government and technical partners.
- Promote IOM activities and prepare proposals to develop projects and programmes to expand IOM laboratory services in the Region.
- Participate in annual HAP activities planning, review and verify, or prepare budgets related to laboratory services components; advise on optimal resources utilization.
- Replace the Regional Laboratory Coordinator in his/her absence.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
- Master’s degree in Medical (Clinical) Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
- University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
- Professional management experience in a laboratory in an international setting.
- Experience in the interpretation and quality control measures of the laboratory results and procedures.
- Previous work experience in tuberculosis bacteriology and HIV, syphilis and malaria testing required.
Skills
- Excellent communication, negotiation, interpersonal and organizational skills; ability to write clearly and concisely.
- Managerial and/or supervisory experience is a distinct advantage.
- Strong analytical and creative thinking.
- Ability to work with colleagues from varied cultures and professional background.
- Demonstrated gender awareness and gender sensitivity.
- Personal commitment, efficiency, flexibility and drive for results.
- Excellent computer skills knowledge with laboratory databases required.
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of either Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Notes
Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).
Required Competencies:
Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:
- Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
- Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
- Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges. • Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
- Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
- Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
- Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
- Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
- Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
- Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
- Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
- Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
- Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
- Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
- Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.
https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.
Other:
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications HERE via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 27 April 2023 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment
No Fees:
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
Requisition: VN 2023 147 Sub-Regional Laboratory Coordinator for East and Horn of Africa (P3) Nairobi,
Kenya (58081466) Released
Posting: Posting NC58081467 (58081467) Released