National Program Officer (Blood Safety Coordinator) Job at WHO in Kenya

Grade: NO-B

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment

Duration of contract:  Post of limited durations of 2 years

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To lead and co-ordinate areas work in laboratory program including blood safety , quality control and assurance, procurement of laboratory reagents, supplies and equipment and technical assistance in development and implementation of laboratory training curriculum in medical laboratory training schools.

Description of duties: To optimize WHO technical advice and policy support to health authorities in Somalia. The incumbent will be accountable and responsible for co-ordinating all laboratory activities, training of laboratory technicians, establish new laboratories and procurement of technical equipment and supplies of the Somalia lab services program. Summary of Assigned Duties Under the direct supervision of the WHO Representative for Somalia, with the technical support from the Regional Advisor/LAB, the incumbent will perform the following assigned duties : 1.Provide technical support to the Minister of Health for the strengthening and revival Blood Transfusion Services, 2.Assist in developing standards, guidelines, and procedures for the National blood transfusion services and the blood donor programme 3.Provide technical support in rehabilitation of selected blood transfusion units and blood banks. 4.Support and facilitate the development and strengthening of human resources within the Blood Transfusion centers and blood banks, including monitoring the quality and access to blood products, their availability and rational use 5.Support the process of strengthening the NBTC capacity to coordinate and network with regional blood banks 6.Oversee and provide technical expertise inputs to the procurement of equipment ,blood safety supplies and materials for quality assurance and product testing 7.Establish effective internal and external quality assurance programs for blood banks and blood transfusion units 8.Technically support the development of an effective Blood Donor Recruitment Programme including staff training and design and delivery of a community level awareness campaign 9.Assist in developing training modules; coordinating, facilitating, leading and conducting national training courses in collaboration with MoH for blood transfusion unit and blood bank staff. 10.Provide support to the MoH in preparing blood safety strategy for the expansion of services to underserved areas.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: University degree in Medical Laboratory Technology with specialization in Blood transfusion science

Skills: WHO Competencies: 1)Producing results (core) 2)Fostering integration and teamwork (core) 3)Building and promoting partnership across and beyond the organization (managerial) 4)Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences (core) Functional Skills and Knowledge: -Thorough knowledge and skills of basic laboratory services and laboratory services. -Skills in training health workers on laboratory standard operational procedures. -Skills in planning, managing laboratory services and coordination of programmes -Ability to prioritize, organize, manage and adapt management style according to needs -Ability to build and motivate teams and work under pressure -Knowledge in programme management -Skills in operational research Other Skills: -Computer literacy

Experience: Essential: At least 2 years work experience in blood safety laboratory practice at national level. Desirable: Knowledge of UN agencies or international laboratory/blood safety institutions.

Languages: Excellent knowledge of English and the local language

Additional Information: POST IS OPEN FOR LOCAL RECRUITMENT ONLY. APPLICANTS MUST BE NATIONAL OF THE COUNTRY OF ASSIGNMENT. Applicants are kindly requested to pay attention to the screening questions as they will be used to screen out unqualified candidates. Only qualified applicants with the relevant experience will be considered. A written test/presentation and interviews will be used as a form of screening. The written test might be used as an eliminatory tool. Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice. Candidates will be interviewed using a competency-based approach.

Annual salary: (Net of tax) KES 3540121 at single rate

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.