Pacific Community
Description
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The Public Health Division (PHD) is dedicated to improving the health, and therefore the future, of all Pacific Islanders. PHD strives to promote and protect the health of Pacific Island peoples. It advocates a holistic approach to health, supports sustainable capacity development, and facilitates and promotes collaboration with partners. The Public Health Division has 5 priority areas: NCD prevention and control, Communicable Disease Surveillance and Reporting, Laboratory Strengthening Program, Clinical Services Program and Health system strengthening.
The Laboratory Strengthening Program (LSP) is a cross-cutting program that ensures quality of laboratory testing in the region; be it is for clinical diagnostic, NCD testing or Public Health surveillance is strengthened to meet ISO standard. The LSP activities are also aligned to global health priorities therefore its involvement in combat AMR to strengthen AMR testing in the region and works with partners to introduce sustainable technologies that will enable timely confirmation of diseases and preventative measures. LSP is also involved in One Health through the inclusion of Animal Health, Environment Health and Food safety officers in its training program. The LSP also holds the role of secretariate of PPHSN LabNet; co-ordinate various LabNet activities to strengthen Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) and works with partners to deliver laboratory strengthening activities in the region.
The Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) LabNet and Laboratory Surveillance Coordinator will provide expertise in strengthening laboratory surveillance of PPHSN priority diseases with particular focus on antimicrobial resistance testing and surveillance. The incumbent will also work with countries to improve the quality of basic AMR testing therefore improved detection and reporting of multi-resistant organism; introduce newer technologies including molecular technologies to advance AMR surveillance and reporting and facilitate reporting of AMR surveillance data by countries to regional forums and global antimicrobial resistance system (GLASS). The incumbent will also coordinate PPHSN LabNet secretariate activities.
The key responsibilities of the role include:
Pacific Island Country and Territory (PICTs) own and lead the change agenda for health services improvement in the region
- Collaborate with laboratories at country level regarding PPHSN priority diseases outbreaks and testing capabilities.
- Work with LSP team and partners on the best possible referral pathway of specimens from L1 to L2 and L3 laboratories whenever the need arises and facilitate shipment.
- Provide capacity building to PICTs on Infectious substance shipping across border according to IATA dangerous goods regulation.
Improve capabilities and knowledge/skills leading to practice change and improved effectiveness and efficiencies for health services in the region
- Identify and implement strategies to strengthen laboratory testing of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, and surveillance.
- Support the implementation of quality management system, and quality assurance in microbiological testing.
- Monitor the progress of AMR strengthening activities and implement remedial measures.
Implement legislations, policies, guidelines and standards in PICTs
- Implement a quality management system and quality audit in infectious diseases and AMR testing.
- Facilitate the AMR communications and regional meetings.
- Support the improvement of routine laboratory data collection for programming, monitoring and reporting.
Introduce innovation, digitalisation and technology resulting in improved effectiveness and efficiencies within the Pacific MoHs
- Support countries to ensure laboratory policies, procedures and technologies are aligned with global standards and recommendations but are relevant and suitable to the Pacific Island regional context.
- Design and utilize digital tools and high precision testing technology for testing and data reporting purposes.
Use data, stats and knowledge products to inform evidence-based planning and policy decisions
- Compile regional data pertaining to LabNet, AMR and infectious disease testing and AMR.
- Facilitate countries reporting of AMR Data to regional surveillance and GLASS.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Postgraduate in microbiology, medical laboratory science or in relevant field.
Technical Expertise
- At least 10 years of experience working in a medical laboratory with at least 5 years of experience in microbiology.
- Experience in molecular testing of infectious agents and microbiology research.
Language skills
- Excellent English communication skills (oral and written)
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Cross-cultural skills with an ability to work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Remuneration – The PPHSN LabNet and Laboratory Surveillance Coordinator is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091 ‒ 3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,118–11,397 (USD 4,142–5,177; EUR 3,923–4,904). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.
Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.
Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing Date: 29 October 2023 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)
Job Reference: JM000495
Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/
Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.
For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:
- an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
- a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
- responses to all screening questions
Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.
SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.
Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):
- Please provide 3 factors that will lower the quality of AMR Data that PICs record in Pacific Island antibiogram to be used for surveillance in the Pacific, and how will you help countries to improve in these areas.
- What would be your advice to the PICs laboratories if they encounter multiresistant organisms such as carbapenem resistant gram-negative organism?
- What type of technology would you use to confirm the origin of MROs?