Senior Laboratory Technical Advisor 42 views0 applications 190 views

Job Title:         Senior Laboratory Technical Advisor

Reports to:      Principal Investigator

Program:         Implementation of Sustainable Laboratory Quality Systems for HIV/TB Epidemic Control in the

Republic of Kenya under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

Location:         Nairobi

About FHI 360:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: Senior Laboratory Technical Advisor for an anticipated multiyear project to provide technical assistance (TA) to the Kenya Ministry of Health (MOH) Division of National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL) National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), and  relevant county Health departments to strengthen HIV/TB laboratory systems and the provision of safe and adequate blood supplies to over 3,000 public health facilities offering antiretroviral therapy (ART) services and the HIV/TB national referral laboratories.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project and the selection of the final applicant is subject to donor approval.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Laboratory Technical Advisor will provide technical expertise, coordination and supervision of all laboratory strengthening activities within the assigned project area.  S/he will provide technical support and supervision in collaboration with project management teams to ensure the successful planning and implementation of laboratory strengthening activities, including work planning, budgeting, supportive supervision, technical support and reporting in assigned areas. The incumbent will provide laboratory related representation for the CDC project at facility, sub-county and county forums and meetings as may be called upon, collaborate with laboratory-related national mechanisms and institutions in supporting laboratory strengthening activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide technical leadership and oversight for the project team on laboratory systems and networks.

Provide technical assistance and capacity building support to project laboratory mentors and facility laboratory personnel for expansion of quality laboratory services especially improved access to laboratory diagnosis and monitoring through HIV testing, Viral Load testing, CD4 testing, Early Infant Diagnosis and Gene Expert TB testing to support provision of quality integrated HIV services at health facilities in liaison with County Medical Laboratory Coordinators (CMLTs).

Provide oversight, technical assistance and capacity building to establish, strengthen and expand the laboratory network between facilities, sub-counties and counties in collaboration with project program officers and County Health Management Teams (CHMTs).

Provide support to strengthen the coordination of all aspects of the RTCQI activities.

Liaise with RTCQI quality champions for reports on performance of PT, site supervisions, site audits, staff competency evaluation and key milestones.

Support capacity building and technical assistance to laboratory mentors and facility laboratory personnel on reagent/commodity forecasting, quantification, procurement and consumption reporting in liaison with CMLTs and the national supply chain mechanisms.

Support capacity building and technical assistance to laboratory mentors and facility laboratory personnel on laboratory related QA/QC, lab equipment maintenance and related service contracts in liaison with national laboratory reference labs.

Work in close collaboration with the project management team and CHMT to strengthen laboratory systems and services to offer improved access to laboratory diagnosis and monitoring in support of provision of quality integrated health services.

Work in close collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor to strengthen Laboratory Health Management Information Systems for commodity reporting at facility, sub-county and county levels.

Represent the project team at technical/stakeholder forums with the county and national government, the donor institutions and other implementing partners on laboratory related matters.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Masters’ degree with 7-9 years’ experience or Bachelors’ degree with 9-11 years’ experience implementing PEPFAR laboratory strengthening service delivery programs.
• A demonstrated track record of providing mentorship and supervision for strengthening laboratory services and training in quality improvement approaches.
• Good knowledge on commodity management and reporting and LMIS functionality
• Experience working with MOH structures and personnel and good knowledge of laboratory related health systems strengthening.
• Ability to work in a complex project implementation environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform.
• Excellent skills in facilitation, team building and coordination
• Strong programming, management, technical and critical thinking skills to facilitate program implementation.
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation and report writing skills.
• Knowledge with strengthening laboratories to achieve international quality standards including against ISO 15189 and/or SLMTA/SLIPTA or in-country standards.
• A demonstrated ability to work with multiple partners on collaborative projects.

Travel Requirements:

Up to 50% within Kenya

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.