Consultant - VPD Laboratory, Manila

Purpose of the Consultancy

To establish a generic quality management system for the recently introduced measles and rubella EIA and RT-PCR in national laboratories of Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. Provide expertise and training to maintain high quality laboratory performance in these national laboratories. Troubleshoot any difficulties the laboratories may have with these assays particularly in Vanuatu. To expand the scope of these tests by reviewing the four countries above and introducing rotavirus testing protocol in the most appropriate country.

Background

The PICs are in the elimination phase of measles with a target of verification of elimination by 2025. Four countries (Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu) have recently had measles and rubella serology, and molecular detection methods introduced to their national laboratories. This means these diagnostic tests are now available in-country to 85% of the population of the countries of the Pacific Islands. This has resulted in a reduction in time to results for these diseases for these countries' public health departments but also provided a basis for expanding the scope of detection to other diseases. Quality management systems need to be established for these tests and operational systems set in place. Training is needed in the national laboratories to ensure that the performance of the laboratories is sustainable and remains at a high level. The introduction of these methods to the four countries allows for expanding the scope of testing for other diseases. Rotavirus is an important pathogen in children and a leading cause of diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality. An assessment is needed to identify the most suitable country for the introduction of rotavirus testing and establish testing in that country.

Deliverables

Output 1: Deliver standard operating procedure for sourcing, delivery and use of internal quality controls (IQCs) for measles and rubella in recently established national VPD laboratories of Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Deliverable 1.1: Meet with experts at measles/rubella Regional Reference Laboratory, VIDRL, Melbourne to discuss and establish an SOP for internal quality controls for measles and rubella serology and molecular tests.

Deliverable 1.2: Organize delivery to and training of the use of the IQCs for measles and rubella in the four national laboratories. Troubleshoot outstanding issues with current tests to ensure quality results with IQC.

Deliverable 1.3: Assess the need for IQCs for existing national measles/rubella laboratories in the PICs.

Output 2: Assess the need for rotavirus testing by EIA in the four national laboratories of Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. Identify the priority country and establish rotavirus testing in this laboratory.

Deliverable 2.1: Meet with experts at rotavirus Regional Reference Laboratory, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne to receive specific training to establish rotavirus testing in a national laboratory in PICs.

Deliverable 2.2: Make an assessment and report on each countries need and capability for rotavirus testing. Identify a priority candidate country and establish testing at that site.

Educational Qualifications
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Essential:
First university degree in life science, medicine, molecular biology, or medical virology from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable:
Training or qualification in bacteriology, infectious diseases, and/or epidemiology and laboratory techniques.

Experience
Essential:
Minimum 5 years relevant experience on laboratory quality assurance including face-to-face training in serological (EIA) and molecular (RTPCR) methods at international level.

Desirable:
Experience in setting up EIA and PCR equipment and software to deliver serological and molecular diagnostic service.

Skills/Knowledge
Essential: Expert knowledge of EIA and RT PCR techniques, quality assurance practices and their application within laboratories specifically within countries of the Pacific Islands.

Desirable: Writing standard operating procedures and protocols for laboratory quality management system.

Languages And Level Required
Expert knowledge of written and spoken English is required (read-write-speak)

Location:

Off site: Home based.

Travel
The consultant is expected to travel in various countries in the Pacific Region when needed. The purpose of the mission is to establish high quality VPD laboratories in the Pacific Island Countries. The travel dates are from 18 August to 15 December 2025.

Remuneration

Currency: Pay band level B, USD5,500 per month

Duration: 4 months, August to December 2025

Additional Information
This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit:
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability, status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States ) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter values) into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
• WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof/certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at
• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.

Grade
No grade

Contractual Arrangement
External consultant

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)
4 months

Job Posting
Aug 11, 2025, 10:36:55 AM

Closing Date
Aug 26, 2025, 3:59:00 AM

Primary Location
Philippines-Manila

Organization
WP/DDC Division of Programmes for Disease Control

Schedule
Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.