Advisor, Diagnostic Virology

Critères de l'offre

**L'entreprise**: OMS

OMS

Description du posteOBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health Department (CDE) promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities directed toward the surveillance, prevention, control, elimination and/or reduction of communicable diseases, zoonoses and food safety and environmental threats to health that are technically sound and appropriate for the political and sociocultural context in which they are implemented. Through the Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center (PANAFTOSA), CDE delivers technical cooperation on food safety, zoonotic and foodborne diseases, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). CDE strives to achieve a sustainable impact on health by providing normative guidance, furthering the implementation of evidence-based interventions, fostering alliances that strengthen country capacity, improving the effectiveness of inter[1]country collaboration, and facilitating policy and decision-making processes

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Center Director, PANAFTOSA and the general supervision of the Director, Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:
Plan, organize, control and supervise the Center's WOAH Reference Laboratory products and services in the areas of laboratory management, diagnosis, vaccine quality control, research and training in diagnostic virology and immunology, as well as the production of laboratory materials/products and laboratory quality management systems;
Manage the day-to-day operations of the Center's WOAH Reference Laboratory (biosafety level 4, WOAH standard);
Provide strategic leadership for the Center's WOAH Reference Laboratory in the laboratory diagnosis in viral diseases, particularly in Foot-and[1]Mouth disease and Vesicular Stomatitis viruses;
Develop and maintain biological reference material in accordance with international quality standards, including those for production and distribution of laboratory reference materials, kits and sets;
Plan, organize and coordinate the implementation of laboratory proficiency test programs in the region following international quality standards;
Implement new methods using modern technology (including molecular and sequencing methods), applied to virology and immunology; adapt present techniques to ensure the Center's leadership in this area;
Provide technical cooperation in the design, planning, selection and acquisition of equipment as well as the operation, maintenance, biosafety and management of national diagnostic laboratories;
Plan, implement and contribute to research with national and international agencies to promote the control and elimination of FMD;
Maintain and improve the training programs at the Center or through alliances with other recognized institutions in the areas of laboratory techniques for viral diagnosis and characterization, sero-surveillance and vaccine quality control and laboratory bio risk management to ensure the transfer of technology to national personnel;
Prepare and disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical reports, policy documents and position papers based on the results of epidemiological and socioeconomic studies;
Collaborate in the preparation of the Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of international cooperation projects, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic issues and performance assessment;
When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities; m) Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

**Education**:
**Essential**: A university degree in a health-related science, and a master's degree in virology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry or any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.

**Desirable**: A PhD in virology, immunology, molecular biology, or biochemistry would be an asset.

**Experience**:
**Essential**: Nine years of national and international progressive experience in diagnostic virology, immunology, serology and molecular biology, laboratory quality systems, as well as experience in the design, planning, execution and evaluation of research projects related to virology and diagnosis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and other vesicular diseases. Experience should include participation in international technical cooperation programs and activities in veterinary public health involving the diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of FMD, vesicular diseases, and/or animal viral diseases of econo