National Consultant – Laboratory Biorisk Assessment 113 views0 applications


Position Title: National Consultant – Laboratory Biorisk Assessment

Contract Type: Personal Services Agreement

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Organizational unit: FAO Representation Office in Kenya

Duration: 10 days when actually employed

Eligible candidates: Kenyan Nationals

Anticipated Start Date: July 2017

Background

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in collaboration with the Directorate of Veterinary Services are implementing a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded program entitled “Supporting the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) to Address Zoonotic Disease and Animal Health in Africa”. The specific objective of the programme is to “Build capacity to prevent, detect and respond rapidly to priority zoonotic diseases using a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral One Health Approach”. The program covers the following GHSA Action Packages (APs) or technical areas: Zoonotic Diseases, Biosafety and Biosecurity, National Laboratory Systems and Workforce Development.

Biological agents and toxins handled in the laboratory are a potential hazards posing a risk to personnel working in a laboratory and facility, and likely to surrounding animal and human communities beyond the laboratory. The first step in achieving this operational goal is to assess the safety and security risks present in the laboratory.

A risk assessment is the fundamental process to aid in the determination, management, and mitigation of laboratory risks. The primary purpose of a laboratory risk assessment is to inform the decision-making process that reduces the risks present in a laboratory. Mitigation of these risks will ultimately protect the individuals in the laboratory, in the facility and/or institution, as well as those outside the biological laboratory, including both the human and animal communities. The results of a risk assessment provide a guide for the selection of appropriate biological safety measures (including microbiological practices and safety equipment), security measures, and other facility safeguards to mitigate the determined risks to an acceptable or manageable level.

The benefits of risk assessment in the laboratory extend beyond risk reduction and mitigation. Laboratory risk assessments can also help to provide the following:

  • Effective allocation of resources to mitigate risks
  • Identification of training needs and supervision
  • Advance planning for renovation
  • Evaluation of procedural changes
  • Compliance with governmental regulations
  • Justification for space and equipment needs
  • Evaluation of emergency plans
  • Planning for preventative maintenance
  • Evaluation of exchanges and workflow with other laboratories/units

Reporting Line and Scope of the assignment

Within the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Operations (ECTAD), under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya and direct supervision of the ECTAD Kenya Country Team Leader, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

  • Conduct laboratory biorisk assessment of the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) and Veterinary Research Institute Laboratory at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)

Specifically the consultant will undertake the following:

  • Assess Biorisk using risk assessment methods consistent with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Workshop Agreement on Laboratory Biorisk Management, OIE chapters on Biorisk Management or equivalent
  • Assess all areas of biorisk management (Biosafety and Biosecurity) in the laboratory which will comprise of the following; laboratory premises and facility design, storage facilities, sanitation and staff facilities, heating and ventilation, lighting, laboratory biosecurity, fire prevention and fire protection, personal protection, health and safety of staff (biosafety), laboratory equipment, handling of infectious materials, waste management, flammable liquid storage, electrical hazards and chemical hazard containment and radioactive substances and shipping of infectious substances.
  • Evaluation of biorisk system performance of the CVL and KALRO and identify gaps in the laboratory
  • Identify and rank hazards and their potential for causing harm
  • Create awareness on the importance of biorisk assessment
  • Monitor the effectiveness of controls in the laboratory
  • Make recommendations on mitigation measures (corrective measures) in the biorisk system performance
  • Write and deliver a completion report to FAO and DVS

Minimum Requirements

  • Advanced University Degree in Veterinary Medicine/Laboratory Technology or relevant field
  • Advanced training in laboratory biorisk management
  • Minimum of 5 years experience of working in a veterinary laboratory
  • Minimum of 5 years experience in biorisk management
  • Knowledgeable in veterinary laboratory network systems in Kenya
  • Working knowledge of English

Competencies

  • Results Focus
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Building effective relationships
  • Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

How to apply:

Candidates are requested to submit their application by email to [email protected] quoting the position title and vacancy announcement number.

A duly completed Personal Profile Form (PPF) generated from FAO’s iRecruitment portal as a PDF-file is to be submitted by email together with a cover letter. Please note that attached resumes or CV’s in place of the PPF will not be accepted.

In order to prepare a Personal Profile Form, you must first register on the FAO iRecruitment site by clicking on the following link to register: http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ In order for your application to be properly evaluated, please ensure that all sections of the on-line profile are completed.

Applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

This vacancy is open to both male and female candidates. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

More Information

  • Job City Nairobi
  • This job has expired!
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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO; French: Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture, Italian: Organizzazione delle Nazioni Unite per l'Alimentazione e l'Agricoltura) is an agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy.

FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all. Its Latin motto, fiat panis, translates as "let there be bread". As of 6 January 2017, FAO has 194 member states, along with the European Union (a "member organization"), and the Faroe Islands and Tokelau, which are associate members

History

The idea of an international organization for food and agriculture emerged in the late 19th and early 20th century, advanced primarily by the US agriculturalist and activist David Lubin. In May–June 1905, an international conference was held in Rome, Italy, which led to the creation of the International Institute of Agriculture.

Later in 1943, the United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt called a United Nations Conference on Food and Agriculture. Representatives from forty four governments gathered at The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia from 18 May to 3 June. They committed themselves to founding a permanent organization for food and agriculture, which happened in Quebec City, Canada on 16 October 1945 with the conclusion of the Constitution of the Food and Agriculture Organization. The First Session of the FAO Conference was held in the Chateau frontenac at Quebec, Canada, from 16 October to 1 November 1945.

The Second World War effectively ended the International Agricultural Institute, though it was only officially dissolved by resolution of its Permanent Committee on 27 February 1948. Its functions were then transferred to the recently established FAO

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0 USD Nairobi CF 3201 Abc road Consultancy , 40 hours per week Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Position Title: National Consultant – Laboratory Biorisk Assessment

Contract Type: Personal Services Agreement

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Organizational unit: FAO Representation Office in Kenya

Duration: 10 days when actually employed

Eligible candidates: Kenyan Nationals

Anticipated Start Date: July 2017

Background

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in collaboration with the Directorate of Veterinary Services are implementing a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded program entitled “Supporting the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) to Address Zoonotic Disease and Animal Health in Africa”. The specific objective of the programme is to “Build capacity to prevent, detect and respond rapidly to priority zoonotic diseases using a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral One Health Approach”. The program covers the following GHSA Action Packages (APs) or technical areas: Zoonotic Diseases, Biosafety and Biosecurity, National Laboratory Systems and Workforce Development.

Biological agents and toxins handled in the laboratory are a potential hazards posing a risk to personnel working in a laboratory and facility, and likely to surrounding animal and human communities beyond the laboratory. The first step in achieving this operational goal is to assess the safety and security risks present in the laboratory.

A risk assessment is the fundamental process to aid in the determination, management, and mitigation of laboratory risks. The primary purpose of a laboratory risk assessment is to inform the decision-making process that reduces the risks present in a laboratory. Mitigation of these risks will ultimately protect the individuals in the laboratory, in the facility and/or institution, as well as those outside the biological laboratory, including both the human and animal communities. The results of a risk assessment provide a guide for the selection of appropriate biological safety measures (including microbiological practices and safety equipment), security measures, and other facility safeguards to mitigate the determined risks to an acceptable or manageable level.

The benefits of risk assessment in the laboratory extend beyond risk reduction and mitigation. Laboratory risk assessments can also help to provide the following:

  • Effective allocation of resources to mitigate risks
  • Identification of training needs and supervision
  • Advance planning for renovation
  • Evaluation of procedural changes
  • Compliance with governmental regulations
  • Justification for space and equipment needs
  • Evaluation of emergency plans
  • Planning for preventative maintenance
  • Evaluation of exchanges and workflow with other laboratories/units

Reporting Line and Scope of the assignment

Within the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Operations (ECTAD), under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya and direct supervision of the ECTAD Kenya Country Team Leader, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

  • Conduct laboratory biorisk assessment of the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) and Veterinary Research Institute Laboratory at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)

Specifically the consultant will undertake the following:

  • Assess Biorisk using risk assessment methods consistent with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Workshop Agreement on Laboratory Biorisk Management, OIE chapters on Biorisk Management or equivalent
  • Assess all areas of biorisk management (Biosafety and Biosecurity) in the laboratory which will comprise of the following; laboratory premises and facility design, storage facilities, sanitation and staff facilities, heating and ventilation, lighting, laboratory biosecurity, fire prevention and fire protection, personal protection, health and safety of staff (biosafety), laboratory equipment, handling of infectious materials, waste management, flammable liquid storage, electrical hazards and chemical hazard containment and radioactive substances and shipping of infectious substances.
  • Evaluation of biorisk system performance of the CVL and KALRO and identify gaps in the laboratory
  • Identify and rank hazards and their potential for causing harm
  • Create awareness on the importance of biorisk assessment
  • Monitor the effectiveness of controls in the laboratory
  • Make recommendations on mitigation measures (corrective measures) in the biorisk system performance
  • Write and deliver a completion report to FAO and DVS

Minimum Requirements

  • Advanced University Degree in Veterinary Medicine/Laboratory Technology or relevant field
  • Advanced training in laboratory biorisk management
  • Minimum of 5 years experience of working in a veterinary laboratory
  • Minimum of 5 years experience in biorisk management
  • Knowledgeable in veterinary laboratory network systems in Kenya
  • Working knowledge of English

Competencies

  • Results Focus
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Building effective relationships
  • Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

How to apply:

Candidates are requested to submit their application by email to [email protected] quoting the position title and vacancy announcement number.

A duly completed Personal Profile Form (PPF) generated from FAO’s iRecruitment portal as a PDF-file is to be submitted by email together with a cover letter. Please note that attached resumes or CV’s in place of the PPF will not be accepted.

In order to prepare a Personal Profile Form, you must first register on the FAO iRecruitment site by clicking on the following link to register: http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ In order for your application to be properly evaluated, please ensure that all sections of the on-line profile are completed.

Applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

This vacancy is open to both male and female candidates. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

2017-06-29

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