UNV LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (Abyei) – UNV
Job Description
| Organization | United Nations Volunteers |
| Description of the assignment title | UNV LABORATORY TECHNICIAN |
| Host entity | UNISFA |
| Assignment country | Sudan |
| Duty stations | Abyei (SDN) |
| Type | International |
| Number of assignments | 1 |
| Advertisement end date | 13/03/2026 |
Details
Mission and objectives
UNISFA was established in July 2011 under authority of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNISFA is mandated to Strengthen the capacity of the Abyei Police Service (APS) by providing support, including the training of personnel, and coordinate with the APS on matters of law and order, Monitor and verify the redeployment of armed forces from the Abyei area in accordance with the 20 June 2011 Agreement, Provide de-mining assistance and technical advice, Facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and free movement of humanitarian personnel in coordination with relevant Abyei Area bodies, When requested and in cooperation with the APS, provide security for oil infrastructure in the Abyei Administrative Area (AAA) and later to organize the referendum The Council also authorized UNISFA under Chapter VII to:
• Protect UN Personnel, facilities, installations, and equipment.
• Ensure the security and freedom of UN and humanitarian personnel and members of the Joint Military Observers Committee and Joint Military Observer Teams established by the 20 June Agreement.
• Protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence; and protect the Area from incursions by unauthorized elements and ensure security.
Context
Under the direct supervision of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the incumbent will provide laboratory testing services both routine and specialized, i.e., chemistry, electrolytes, serology and bacteriology. These services are extended to all the mission employees and as required to other UN organizations.
Task description
•Performing Laboratory investigations as per the order of treating Physician. •Clearly explain procedures to patients before conducting tests.
•The incumbent is expected to collect specimens of urine, sputum, stool, blood and swaps
•Promptly reporting test results to the examining physician (Immediate reporting for results like Malaria).
•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 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing,
•Coordinating with MOVCON staff to receive blood supplies from global vendors, ensuring their transfer to GHANA MEDICAL L-2+ health facility. for storage, and generating reports on their consumption and disposal in coordination with the GHANA MEDICAL L-2+ health facility.
•Occasionally, the incumbent of the post is required to stay in the clinic for extra working hours to attend the emergency cases.
•Communicating any safety-related occurrences involving clients to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
•As a routine procedure of the clinic, the incumbent is expected to fill daily statistics and monthly reports.
•Collaborating with the medical team to achieve the goals of the Medical Unit.
•Communicate new discoveries and procedures to the medical team; Advice the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) an update and new discoveries in relation to laboratory technology.
•Performing any other tasks assigned by the supervisor. Results/expected outputs Deliver laboratory services as per UN standards. 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. UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:
•Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment;
•Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity.
•Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal.
•Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address;
•Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning; •Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations; •Leave management;
•Daily Subsistence Allowance(DSA) for official travel, when applicable;
•All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme;
•Investigate misconduct: sharing reports with the UNV;
•Provide emergency assistance, e.g. the death of volunteer or medical evacuation, in collaboration with UNV. Accept letters of guarantees or potential liabilities for covering medical costs not claimable under medical insurance in extraordinary situations (e.g. isolation facilities` services during pandemics).
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
5 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Technical/vocational diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology. (Registered professional medical laboratory technician).
Competencies and values
•Integrity and professionalism: high degree of personal initiative and willingness to accept wide responsibilities; ability to take ownership, and work independently under established procedures;
•Accountability: ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
•Planning, effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner, ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
•Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender. •Communication; proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills.
•Flexibility and willingness to live and work in hazardous and remote places, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the Mission area.
•Commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.
Skills and experience
A degree in Medical Laboratory Technology will be considered as an advantage Familiarity with microscopy techniques for the identification of malaria parasites is required. Prior experience in the laboratory diagnosis of malaria and other tropical diseases is considered desirable.
Area(s) of expertise
Health, Administration
Driving license
MANUAL TRANSMISSION Required
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
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 a 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.
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
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