UNV Laboratory Technician - Abyei, Sudan

UN Entity: UNISFA

Assignment Context:
UNISFA was established in July 2011 under authority of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNISFA is mandated to monitor and verify the redeployment of any Sudan or South Sudan forces in the Abyei area, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of relief workers in and around Abyei, to take the necessary actions to protect UN personnel (facilities, installations and equipment), to ensure security and freedom of movement of civilians in the area, and later to organize the referendum

Task description:
Under the direct supervision of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the incumbent will provide comprehensive laboratory testing services, including routine and specialized analyses such as biochemistry, serology, parasitology, and bacteriology. The incumbent is also responsible for collecting clinical samples for analysis, serving clients from the UNISFA/UNHQ L-1 Clinic.

Key responsibilities include:

- Ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures for sterilization and biological waste disposal.
- Maintaining cleanliness, proper storage, and inventory management of all laboratory equipment and accessories. The incumbent must report laboratory requirements to the pharmacy team in a timely manner to prevent service interruptions.
- Being accountable for the safety, security, and proper handling of all laboratory equipment, reagents, and supplies assigned to the unit.
- Operating laboratory equipment such as MOLBIO or similar devices for PCR testing, specifically for COVID-19 virus detection.
- Clearly explaining procedures to patients before conducting tests.
- Promptly reporting test results to the examining physician.
- Coordinating with MOVCON staff to receive blood supplies from global vendors, ensuring their transfer to L-2+ for storage, and generating reports on their consumption and disposal in coordination with the GHANMED L-2+ health facility.
- Occasionally working extra hours in the clinic to attend to emergency cases.
- Communicating any safety-related occurrences involving clients to the CMO.
- Maintaining daily statistics and compiling monthly reports as part of the clinic's routine procedures.
- Collaborating with the medical team to achieve the goals of the Medical Unit.
- Performing any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers Programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required Experience:
5 years of experience in Application of laboratory skills. Previous working experience in a international organization and ability in working with Microsoft Office is an added advantage.

Inclusivity statement:
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

Living conditions and remarks
General: This assignment is based in the UNISFA Headquarters – Abyei - Sudan. Currently this duty station is designated as non-family. Due to the terrain, the area is prone to flooding during the rainy season which lasts from late May until Mid-November. The average rainy season temperature is 30°C and temperatures in the dry season average 37°C.

Accommodation: Due to the security situation in Abyei, coupled with the fact that there are limited residential accommodation options in the community that meet UN security and safety standards for staff, expatriate UN staff deployed to Abyei are generally provided secured UN accommodation in a camp-style environment. The UN-provided accommodation is equipped with minimum room furniture and is configured as single room with bath and toilet facilities. Power and water (including purified water) is provided inside the camp by the UN. As per OHRM rules, a reasonable cost recovery for accommodation is made from VLA. Due to the duration of the issuance of the Sudanese visa, UNVs may temporary and/ or permanently be assigned to Gok-Machar which is one of the UNISFA sectors where visas for Sudan are not required. Accommodation and conditions in Gok-Machar are similar to those in Abyei.

Food and Diet: There is a UN managed cafeteria inside the UN Camp in Abyei. The standard and quality of food is limited with a repetitious daily menu. Wide varieties of food are not available and may not be to the personal taste of UNVs. Volunteers may wish to cook their own meals in common kitchen facilities situated at convenient locations within the camp. This would require the volunteer to obtain basic cooking items such as saucepans, fry pans, plates, knives, etc.

Health: UN Volunteers should be aware that they could be exposed to a number of tropical diseases and should complete all medical formalities specified in the Offer or Travel Advisory before traveling. Yellow Fever vaccination is compulsory before coming to the mission area, while vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diptheria, Polio and Meningitis are recommended if confirmed by the volunteer’s physician. UN Volunteers, like other international personnel, are to bring their Vaccination Card to the mission. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended. Due to large numbers of various types of insects in the mission area, it is also recommended to use insecticide-impregnated nets and insect repellants. UN personnel have access during working hours to a Civilian Clinic (Level 1) inside the UN Camp at Abyei and 24-hour access to a fully operational military hospital (Level 2) within same camp at Abyei.

Rest and Recuperation: International personnel in UNISFA, including UN volunteers, are entitled to a 6 -week Rest and Recuperation (R&R) cycle. This means that after every 6 weeks of being in the mission area, the volunteer is entitled to take a break in either Entebbe (UNISFA designated R & R location) or any other destination outside the mission area. The entitlement is 5 calendar days R&R, 1 day official (Admin) and 2 travel days. The UN flight from Abyei or any other deployed site in the mission area to Entebbe can be used for free (return flight). However, personnel are responsible for their accommodation, meals and any other expenses while on R&R. R & R trips must be approved by the supervisor.