Mentorship and Community of Practice Support Programme

Organizational Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region prioritizes strengthening health laboratory services, focusing on Laboratory Quality Management Systems (LQMS) and ISO 15189 accreditation readiness. This initiative aims to enhance public health laboratories through capacity building, mentorship, and peer learning. The assignment supports the design and implementation of a mentorship program and a digital Community of Practice (CoP) to foster continuous professional development and knowledge exchange across Member States, contributing to regional laboratory capacity.

Job Purpose

This assignment aims to strengthen the design and implementation of a structured mentorship program for public health laboratories seeking ISO 15189 readiness. The role involves curating, adapting, and contextualizing mentorship tools, and developing a standardized approach for consistent technical guidance across countries. Additionally, it supports the facilitation of a digital Community of Practice (CoP) in collaboration with Project ECHO, to enhance continuous professional development, peer-to-peer learning, and sustainable knowledge exchange. The ultimate goal is to institutionalize mentorship and build long-term regional capacity for laboratory quality systems strengthening, aligning with WHO's strategic framework.

Responsibilities

The Online Volunteer will contribute to specific deliverables for LQMS mentorship. Key responsibilities include mapping and adapting available LQMS mentorship materials to suit regional needs. The volunteer will also support the creation of a pool of regional mentors by assisting in the review of applications and contributing to the selection process. Expected outputs include a curated and structured LQMS mentorship toolkit adapted for regional use, and a draft mapping framework and roster template for regional mentors. This role requires strong analytical, documentation, and coordination skills, along with familiarity with digital collaboration tools.

Work Experience

Required experience includes a background in Medical Microbiology, Laboratory Sciences, or a related field. Experience in laboratory quality improvement, mentorship, or capacity-building programs is also required. Familiarity with digital collaboration tools and virtual learning platforms is beneficial. Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments is expected.

Skills

Proficiency in English (fluent) is required, with Arabic (fluent) being desirable. Strong analytical, documentation, and coordination skills are essential. Familiarity with digital collaboration tools and virtual learning platforms is necessary. The ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments is also a key requirement for this role.

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