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

1️⃣ Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics & Patient Support • Perform a full range of laboratory investigations (hematology, biochemistry, microbiology, serology, blood grouping, cross-matching, urinalysis, etc.) in accordance with approved Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and UN Medical Diagnosis and Treatment Protocols. • Ensure accurate sample collection, labeling, processing, analysis, and documentation. • Provide timely and reliable results to Medical Officers/Clinicians to support clinical decision-making. • Participate in emergency laboratory services, including during field mobile clinics and after-hours responses, as designated by the Chief Medical Officer(CMO). • Provide technical guidance for laboratory referrals to external/reference laboratories. 2️⃣ Blood Bank & Emergency Transfusion Management • Supervise and ensure strict compliance with protocols related to emergency blood transfusions and cross-matching procedures. • Support UNISFA blood management systems, including: Cold chain maintenance during blood transportation (vendor → Entebbe → Wau → Ghana Level 2+ facility). Monitoring stock levels and safe disposal of expired blood products. Liaise closely with Ghana Level 2+ Hospital for technical support and coordination of blood supplies. 3️⃣ Laboratory Equipment & Infrastructure Management • Ensure the safety, security, and proper functioning of laboratory facilities. • Operate, calibrate, and maintain complex laboratory equipment such as: Spectrophotometers pH meters Centrifuges Refrigeration systems Computerized lab systems • Monitor laboratory environmental conditions and ensure proper storage of reagents and specimens. • Maintain cold chain systems and implement corrective measures when temperature deviations occur. 4️⃣ Inventory & Supply Chain Management • Monitor weekly consumption of laboratory reagents, consumables, and materials. • Prepare accurate monthly supply forecasts and procurement requests in advance, in coordination with the Pharmacist/Medical Supply Officer. • Ensure efficient stock management to avoid shortages or wastage, particularly in austere or remote mission settings. 5️⃣ Quality Assurance & Data Management • Maintain complete, accurate, and confidential laboratory records in accordance with UN guidelines. • Monitor and ensure proper completion of laboratory registration books and reporting systems. • Prepare monthly laboratory activity reports following mission reporting formats. • Manage Internal and External Quality Control (IQC/EQC) processes: • Dispatch quality control specimens to reference laboratories. • Follow up on results and implement corrective actions where required. • Ensure adherence to international laboratory quality standards and biosafety practices. 6️⃣ Training, Capacity Building & Compliance • Conduct in-service training sessions for mission medical personnel on: Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) Bio-safety and infection prevention Laboratory waste management Blood safety procedures • Participate in mission-wide medical meetings and technical briefings. • Attend mandatory Lab Officer/Supervisor training and continuous professional development sessions. • Support evaluation processes related to laboratory performance and quality standards. 7️⃣ Coordination & Collaboration • Work closely with Medical Officers, Nurses, Pharmacists, and other healthcare staff to ensure integrated patient care. • Liaise with external reference laboratories and Ghana Level 2+ Hospital for advanced diagnostics and technical consultation. • Support mobile clinic operations and emergency deployments when required. 8️⃣ Additional Responsibilities • Perform any other duties assigned by the Chief Medical Officer(cmo) in support of mission medical services. • Demonstrate flexibility and readiness to operate in high-risk, resource-constrained, and emergency environments. 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).

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.

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.