Historique

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners that can bring about results.

UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund is a powerful contributor to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including SDG 3 and UNDP’s Strategic Plan (2018-2021); through this partnership, UNDP plays a key role in supporting countries facing challenging circumstances to deliver the SDGs, to strengthen institutions to progressively deliver universal access to basic services (Outcome 3) and a return to sustainable development pathways in post conflict and post-disaster settings (Outcome 6). In strategic terms, in 2016 and 2017 the partnership between UNDP and the Global Fund was marked by increased convergence among implementation support, capacity development/systems strengthening and policy.

First, UNDP continued to strengthen its status as a key implementer of Global Fund grants in crisis and early recovery environments. Second, UNDP responded to increasing demand for capacity development from national entities and the Global Fund to strengthen resilient systems for health through a new generation of capacity development plans.  And third, as UNDP’s policy and implementation roles increasingly converge and reinforce each other, UNDP is supporting the Global Fund to increase engagement on human rights, key populations and gender aspects of disease responses at a strategic, policy and program level (as priority objectives in the Global Fund Strategy, “Investing to End Epidemics” (2017-2022). As of January 2017, UNDP served as the temporary Principal Recipient (PR) for 34 Global Fund grants covering 19 countries and 3 regional grants.  Given the importance of the partnership with the Global Fund, UNDP continues to provide high value-added services both in its PR role, increasingly as a significant technical partner to governments, and to civil society organizations (CSOs) who implement Global Fund grants. This is overseen by the BBPS/HHD Global Fund/Health Implementation Support Team (GF/HIST) in close coordination with Country Offices, Regional Bureaus, the Legal Office and the Bureau of Management.

The national and international health landscapes are rapidly changing: new health initiatives are emerging and bring to light pressing challenges connected with health systems strengthening including, health procurement and supply management that require a new modus operandi to optimize UNDP’s investments into global health. These opportunities go beyond UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund.  In addition, there is a need for UNDP to continue to expand opportunities for partnerships with key stakeholders on health procurement including GAVI, World Bank and UNITAID. UNDP has a broad range of partnerships including with technical partners (e.g., WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, Stop TB) and emergency and humanitarian partners (e.g., UNHCR, IRC, OCHA). 

Objective of the assignment

The primary objective of this assignment is to provide technical expertise for strengthening diagnostic and reporting capacity of all Global fund supported clinical laboratories, blood banks and National public health laboratory. The consultant will ensure all laboratories have skilled laboratory staff, adequate reagents and commodities, functional equipment, proper infrastructure, standard operating procedures for laboratory diagnosis, disease reporting tools and registers are in-use, biosafety/biosecurity practices are established, quality assurance procedures are instituted and strives to keep Ministry of health, Public health laboratory, UNDP and stakeholders informed of laboratory performance in South Sudan.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The incumbent will:

• Develop a sustainable and cost-effective laboratory quality management system that will ensure quality of laboratory test processes and results, and safety of laboratory workers.
• Provide guidance in the planning and development of documents appropriate for the transitioning of the Public Health Laboratory to the South Sudan Public Health Institute (SSPHI).
• Assist the health partners in identifying training needs for South Sudan laboratory staff, recommend appropriate training for staff and assist with arranging staff attendance at seminars, workshops, training courses and on-the-job training to enhance their laboratory testing skills and knowledge. 
• Develop forecasting and inventory system for laboratory commodities, reagents and equipment; and ensure reagents, supplies and equipment procured meet WHO standards.
• Monitor equipment performance, functionality and routine maintenance to ensure optimum equipment performance with minimum down-time.
• Support the development of laboratory data collection tools such as laboratory request forms, reporting forms and registers. The incumbent will ensure dissemination and proper use of the tools.
• Conduct facility readiness assessment and in collaboration of other partners ensure health facilities are able to provide services for infant virologic testing of HIV, Viral load monitoring and TB diagnosis.
• Any other duties as assigned by Supervisor, Head of Programme or Technical Director.

Compétences

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations.
• Able to work in difficult and remote areas for extended periods of time

Professionalism:

• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment;
• Shows pride in work and in achievements;
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Planning & Organizing: 

• Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources and multiple reporting relationships;
• Plans, coordinates and organizes workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines;
• Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff and clients to achieve the planned results.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

• Master’s degree (M.S./M.Sc./M.A) or a Doctoral Degree (PhD) in either of the following relevant specializations: Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Biochemistry.

Experience:

• A minimum of Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a clinical, public health or academic laboratory setting which includes a minimum of three (3) years of teaching, training or mentoring. The incumbent must also have a proven record of publication in either of the listed specializations above. At least five publications must have appeared in reputable international scientific journals.
• Experience in laboratory techniques including knowledge of procedures for Molecular diagnostics, microbiological techniques, immunology, virology and  blood safety, quality assurance and knowledge of the South Sudan laboratory facilities, health care system and structures including familiarity with MOH policies, program priorities and regulations. The incumbent must have good working knowledge of team management techniques to plan, organize and direct multi-disciplinary project teams, activities, and overall administrative requirements.
• Experience in providing technical assistance in a similar capacity in the context of South Sudan is an added advantage
• Experience working in partnership with programmes supported by international agencies such as WHO, World Bank, Global Fund and bilateral agencies such as CDC and USAID.
• Demonstrated ability to write sound technical reports and excellent presentation skills

Computer skills including Microsoft office, m-Supply, spreadsheet, database, etc.

Language:

• Fluent in English.