Technical Officer Bioinformatics (Homebased)

United Nations Development Programme

JOB DESCRIPTION

Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations. The United Nations Development Programme UNDP Indonesia Country Programme 2016-2020 developed in partnership with the Indonesian Government addresses the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals and support national efforts to advance the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The programme contributes directly to MoH National Action Plan 2015-2019, objective 1) increasing the health status of society and; 2)increasing the responsiveness and protection to society towards social and financial risks related to health and Outcome 2 of the UNDP country Programme for Indonesia (2016-2020), which are aligned with the Indonesian Government Health Sector’s Objectives, commitment to Universal Health Coverage, SDG3 Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages (target 3.8 in particular) and other Sustainable Development Goals. One of its efforts is to be involved in supporting the transformation of health technology in the Ministry of Health through Network Strengthening and the Bio Informatic Biomedical & Genome Science Initiative (BGSi).

BGSi is a new initiative of the Indonesian Ministry of Health (MOH). The initiative will act as a multi-institutional ecosystem that aims to support collaborative biomedical and genomic activities in Indonesia by leveraging strengths in technology and infrastructure including biobanking, data management, high throughput sequencing and bioinformatics.

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The initiative aims to build a national asset established under the Indonesia Ministry of Health with two major focusses. First, to establish a national biobank focused on six conditions (diabetes, cancer, stroke, tuberculosis, psoriasis, and rare/genetic diseases) which will store samples from participants where each sample will be connected to a registry that manages all information associated with the participant (demographic and clinical) and second, to generate Whole Genome Sequence information, for each of those participants, that will be curated in a national database. Samples and genomics information from healthy participants will also be collected and generated by this initiative. All samples and data will be made available to researchers nationally and internationally through BGSi.

The initiative is organized around a central facility in Jakarta, housed in the MOH repository building and the historical Eijkman building, which host the biobank and WGS labs respectively. BGSi HQ oversees the registry system and provides technical support for the entire ecosystem, including various hospitals, referred to as HUBs. Each HUB manages recruitment, sample collection, sequencing, and genomic tertiary analysis for specific diseases. The WGS labs at BGSi HQ primarily perform wet lab activities related to high-throughput sequencing. In addition, the dry lab at BGSi HQ focuses on the computational and analytical tasks essential for genomic data management, interpretation, and collaboration.

Therefore, UNDP needs 1 Technical Officer Bioinformatics who will be responsible to supporting and assisting on genomic data analysis, data processing pipelines, databases, and research projects collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities
The direct supervisor of this activities is BGSI Adviser. The incumbent will work closely with project team (FMTA, BGSI, and other projects in HEART related to Bio Informatic Biomedical & Genome Science Initiative), operations units, and programme staff in the office to provide support for of biomedical and genome science project implementation and to ensure adequate exchange of information.
  • Data Processing and Analysis: Perform quality control, preprocessing, and analysis of high-throughput genomic data (e.g., whole-genome sequencing, RNA-seq). This involves using bioinformatics tools and software to clean, align, and interpret raw sequencing data.
  • Pipeline Development and Assist Maintenance in developing, optimizing, and maintaining bioinformatics pipelines for data processing and analysis. This includes scripting in languages such as Python or R and using workflow management systems to ensure reproducibility and efficiency.
  • Database Management: Perform the management and curation of genomic databases, ensuring data integrity, accuracy, and accessibility. Regularly update the database with new data and ensure proper documentation and metadata annotation
  • Collaborative Research and Reporting: Work closely with researchers and other team members to support various genomic projects. This involves generating detailed reports, visualizations, and presentations of findings, as well as troubleshooting and providing technical support for bioinformatics-related issues.
  • The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core competencies:
  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
  • Think Innovatively:
  • LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
  • Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

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Business Direction & Strategy

  • Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority area of expertise and resources

Business Development

  • Collective Intelligence Design: Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions

Business Management

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  • Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
  • Project management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
  • Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
  • Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

2030 Agenda: People

  • Gender: Gender Issues & Analysis
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Biology,  Life Science, Environmental Science,  or related to microbiology or Molecular Biology, or related field is required, or
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s Degree) in Biology, Life Science,  Environmental Science, or related to microbiology or Molecular Biology or related field in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master Degree.
Experience:
  •  Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in laboratory operations/management or biobanking operations/management
  • Use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
  • Good inter-personal skills
  • Has excellent oral communication skills
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Experience in clinical laboratory practice, operation concepts, and molecular biology
  • Experience of biobanking operations, documentation management, and reporting
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to approach complex biobanking or molecular biology, and data reporting
  • Excellent communication skills to convey technical information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences
Required Languages:
  • Fluency in English and Bahasa Indonesia is required.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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