Laboratory Facilities and Equipment Specialist

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DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Laboratory Specialist

• Join us and contribute to strengthening laboratory operations and biosafety in PAHO

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), is seeking a proactive, detail‑oriented, and service‑driven Laboratory Specialist to support essential laboratory maintenance, automation, and biosafety functions that enhance PAHO’s diagnostic capacity and technical cooperation in veterinary public health and zoonotic disease prevention.

Under the direct supervision of the Administrator and the guidance of the Center Director, the selected candidate will:

• Support the coordination and execution of preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Assist in prioritizing maintenance tasks using established procedures and methods.
• Provide supervision support and guidance to the maintenance team, including oversight of off‑hours activities.
• Operate and update computerized maintenance and automation systems to track work orders and technical events.
• Maintain contact with suppliers and technical service providers, ensuring proper follow‑up and adherence to protocols.
• Monitor inventories of spare parts, schedule maintenance activities, and contribute to emergency response procedures.
• Support airflow system monitoring, laboratory airtightness checks, and compliance with effluent treatment parameters.
• Assist in equipment qualification, calibration, certification, and validation activities aligned with technical requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that ensure seamless laboratory operations and biosafety compliance.

For a complete list of functions, please see the post description.

What is required for this position?

Education

University degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering.

Experience

Three years of national experience in the application and support of operations in biosafety laboratories.
 

Languages

Fluency in Portuguese, with an intermediate knowledge of English or Spanish.

IT Skills

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, in particular, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Knowledge of Visio and Project is an asset. Knowledge of AutoCAD is required.

Competencies and Skills

For a complete list of competencies and skills, please refer to the post description.

The skills required are:

• Ability to research, organize, and summarize technical and administrative information.
• Ability to interpret and follow up on technical and administrative processes.
• Ability to identify problems and contribute practical solutions within the assigned area.
• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain good interpersonal relationships.
• Proficiency in operating systems, commercial and corporate applications, and software tools.
• Ability to support commissioning activities.
• Ability to support maintenance, calibration, certification, and validation of equipment with biosafety impact.
• Ability to assist in specifying equipment and applying usage criteria.

Duration of Contract

One-year, first-year probationary period

DISCLAIMER 

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade and level. 

• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post. 

• Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. 

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the official degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO, considers official higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in one of the following databases: 

                - World Higher Education Database (WHED), list updated by the International Association of Universities

                   (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

                   The list can be assessed through the link: http://whed.net/

                - Council for Higher Education Accreditation chea.org

                 - College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics,

                  nces.gov to support the validation process. 

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

PAHO/WHO is committed to: 

• PAHO supports an environment of mutual respect and dignity for all applicants. All interested individuals who meet the requirements of this position are encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. To do so, email us at: [email protected]

• Maintaining high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.

• Promoting a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of misconduct.  

• Providing a smoke-free environment. 

• Protecting the people in the communities we serve.  Therefore, we have zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.