Laboratory Support Verified listing

Under overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Pakistan (FAOR), and under direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Program) and technical guidance of Pandemic Fund Project Manager/Officer and in close coordination with National Pandemic Fund team, Regional Coordinator for One Health in Agrifood System (FAORAP), Regional Pandemic Fund Coordinator (FAORAP) and other relevant technical colleagues at country, regional and HQ level

Technical Focus

The Laboratory Support will provide technical expertise on all laboratory related duties to achieve the outcomes specified under the relevant projects, including backstopping to the field teams. He/she will work cooperatively with other livestock officials from other FAO projects to ensure best practices are adopted throughout the country program.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Support the operationalization of coordination mechanisms among animal health reference labs, provincial labs and district labs.
•    Support the procurement of laboratory consumables and equipment by developing technical specifications as per international standards and review of quotations.
•    Support the development and adaptation of laboratory procedures/SOPs and perform laboratory diagnostics functions for the conduct of pilot studies on zoonotic diseases of significance to Pakistan.
•    Support the Laboratory Expert in developing SOPs for sample collection and transport for zoonotic diseases.
•    Support the delivery of hands-on training programs for laboratory personnel on isolation, identification/Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST), including biosafety and biosecurity for prioritized zoonotic diseases.
•    Provide support towards ISO 17025 accreditation for identified federal and provincial labs as per their respective functions.
•    Facilitate enrolment of labs in National EQA Schemes (NEQAS) for priority zoonotic diseases.
•    Perform other duties as needed.

Minimum Requirements  

•    University degree in Microbiology/Molecular biology or related field to perform lab duties with a basic degree in Veterinary Sciences.
•    Minimum of 3 years of work experience in the field of animal disease diagnosis, experience related to zoonotic diseases (HPAI, salmonella, brucellosis, CCHF etc).
•    A working knowledge (level C) of English
•    National of Pakistan

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Experience in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, particularly zoonotic diseases.
•    Understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO, would be considered an added asset.
•    Good knowledge of laboratory quality assurance systems, equipment maintenance, calibration and internal quality control.
•    Experience in procurement of laboratory equipment and reagents
•    Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards
•    Previous experience in similar settings would be considered a distinct asset