Mission and objectives

With its establishment on 7 April 1948, WHO works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. WHO’s goal is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and well-being.

Context

This UNV assignment is part of WHO’s flagship projects namely the “Health Security in Türkiye” Project. The Health Security project aims to strengthen Health Security in Türkiye, through integrated preparedness and response to epidemic threats of all origins in line with international standards. Under the Vector Surveillance component, the project supports the Ministry of Health in strengthening laboratory-based surveillance systems for vector-borne diseases. The UN Volunteer will contribute to enhancing laboratory diagnostic capacity, quality assurance, biosafety, and technical reporting within the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health (MoH), Türkiye.

Task Description

Under the delegated authority and supervision of the Project Coordinator of the Health Security Project, and in close coordination with the Ministry of Health laboratory leadership, the UN Volunteer, Laboratory Specialist, will: • Support laboratory diagnostic activities related to vector-borne diseases (e.g., related microbiological research). • Perform routine and advanced laboratory tests including molecular, serological, and microbiological assays in accordance with national and WHO standards. • Assist in specimen reception, processing, storage, and documentation following biosafety and biosecurity protocols. • Assist in validation and verification of laboratory methods and equipment. • Support laboratory data management, analysis, and reporting to laboratory data system. • Ensure proper maintenance, calibration tracking, and inventory monitoring of laboratory equipment and consumables. • Contribute to biosafety and infection prevention measures in compliance with WHO and MoH standards. • Assist in preparation of technical reports and documentation for donor-funded activities (EU, WHO, etc.). • Support training activities and technical workshops related to vector surveillance and laboratory diagnostics. • Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor in support of project implementation.

Competencies and values

• Technical Expertise • Attention to detail • Communication • Teamwork • Overall attitude at work • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences • Producing Results

Living conditions and remarks

This is a volunteer assignment, not employment. By sharing your time, energy, and talents, you can support communities in need and become part of something greater than yourself — a global movement for peace, development, and humanitarian aid. Volunteering strengthens trust, solidarity, and reciprocity among citizens, and it can promote a sense of belonging and purpose. The UN Volunteer will be based at the Ministry of Health in Ankara with full-time engagement and responsible for arranging her/his own housing and other living essentials. Summary of National UN Volunteer Specialist Entitlements: (paid in local currency) • Current Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) is USD 1,614 (paid in Turkish Lira) • Private insurance: Health, dental, life, and dismemberment (coverage by CIGNA) As per UN’s diplomatic mission status, it is not included in National Security Institution’s (SGK) system but can be only initiated on private basis. • Entry allowance: USD 400 • Exit allowance: USD 134 per month and upon the satisfactory completion of assignment • Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month • Free access to different learning platforms and UN & UNV network Notes: 1) The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. 2) It's important to note that UNV assignments are volunteer assignments, not employment. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. 3) You can check full entitlements at the duty station: https://app.unv.org/calculator 4) Please read the complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos Website of United Nations Volunteers (UNV): https://www.unv.org