Technical Officer (Laboratory), Cairo, Egypt

## Technical Officer (Laboratory), Cairo, Egypt - Organization:WHO - World Health Organization - Office:WHO EMRO Cairo Technical Officer (Laboratory) Contractual Arrangement : Fixed-term appointment Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 1 year (subject to availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need for the position) Job Posting: Sep 17, 2026, 5:14:08 AM The branch disease prevention and control (EM/CDP) within the department of health promotion, disease prevention and control assists WHO Member States of the Eastern Mediterranean Region to reach the communicable and non-communicable diseases related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a PHC for UHC approach. The scope of the branch includes HIV, hepatitis, STIs, tuberculosis, malaria and vector-borne diseases including neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), anti-microbial resistance (AMR), infection prevention and control (IPC), One Health, public health laboratories and communicable diseases surveillance. The communicable disease surveillance and laboratories unit (EM/CPD/CSL) is responsible for (a) strengthening multi communicable disease surveillance, development of new communicable disease surveillance programmes, country support to implementing integrated disease surveillance (IDS) and to hosting the IDS Secretariate of the regional office and (b) assisting Member States of the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region to meet their obligations under the International Health Regulations(IHR) and to have a comprehensive approach towards strengthening health laboratories as an integral part of health systems and to harmonize efforts within the Regional Office to implement the Regional Framework for Strengthening Health laboratory Services (2016 -2023, extended to 2029). DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES - Provide strategic guidance and technical support to Member States on strengthening national public health laboratory systems, with a focus on implementing sustainable quality management systems aligned with international standards. - Guide regional initiatives on laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, including the development and dissemination of policies, guidance documents, risk assessment tools, and training programmes to support national capacity building and regulatory frameworks. - Support the integration of laboratory services into disease surveillance systems by providing technical expertise for diagnostic capacity development, and quality data reporting - Coordinate and implement regional capacity-building programs, including workshops, on-site mentorship, and virtual training initiatives to support continuous improvement in laboratory practices, biosafety, and preparedness for public health emergencies. - Contribute to public health emergency preparedness and response efforts by assessing laboratory readiness, advising on surge diagnostic capacities, and supporting the activation of laboratory networks during outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies. - Monitor and evaluate the performance of national laboratories, using standardized assessment tools and frameworks, and provide actionable feedback to enhance compliance with biosafety, quality, and surveillance standards. - Facilitate collaboration with WHO collaborating centers, reference laboratories, and technical partners, to ensure regional harmonization of diagnostic methods, quality assurance practices, and response protocols. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Essential: Master's degree in life sciences or medicine. Additional certified training or qualifications in quality management, bio-risk management, and ISO accreditation processes are required Desirable: Training in laboratory molecular techniques Essential: At least 7 years of practical and operational experience with international exposure in application and management of laboratory services, laboratory diagnosis of communicable diseases. Experience in supporting outbreak response and/or health emergencies of international concern is also required Desirable: Experience in strengthening laboratory systems and policies to enhance the detection and response to communicable diseases Experience in planning and implementing laboratory trainings at national and regional levels. Experience in evaluating novel diagnostics assays for emergency use authorization during outbreak response. - Demonstrated ability to analyze laboratory operations in diagnostic services, laboratory biorisk management, and quality management systems to develop innovative and context-appropriate solutions for improvement. - In-depth knowledge of biosafety standards, methodologies, and techniques applicable to health laboratories, including bacteriology, virology and molecular biology - Strong expertise in implementing and maintaining quality assurance systems in diverse laboratory settings. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Creating an empowering and motivating environment Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond Use of Language Skills Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Arabic. WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 86,027 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2072 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework. - Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application,please ensure that: 1 -Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.2- All required details regarding your qualifications, education, training and experience are provided under relevantsections.3- Your experience records are properly entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/enhanced-who-global-competency-model please ensure that: 1 -Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated. 2- All required details regarding your qualifications, education, training and experience are provided under relevant 3- Your experience records are properly entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/enhanced-who-global-competency-model - This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. - Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. - A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening. - In the event that your candidature is retained for an 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: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review. - According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of effici