Job Description
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
- Organize laboratory services and their structure for efficient and optimal service delivery adapting to prevailing local conditions, levels of expertise and available technology.
- Certify that facilities and bio-safety measures in the laboratory/lies meet international standards and country requirements; by actively participating in planning and designing of new or upgrading existing facilities.
- Guarantee that standards of laboratory services correspond to HAPs and other programmes or project requirements via keeping Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) up to date and annual review.
- Ensure high quality with regards to international standards in all aspects of service delivery via internal quality control and organizing and facilitating in external quality assessment.
- Verify optimum staffing levels for planned workload. Recruit, train, supervise and assess laboratory staff. Ensure staff development and continuous training needs for staff.
- Contribute in annual HAP activities planning and budget preparation related to laboratory services.
- Guarantee that the equipment and consumables are sufficient for the anticipated workload. Plan and organize procurement, delivery, installation, servicing and operation of all laboratory equipment and optimal expenditure of consumables.
- Validate system of organized record keeping and information management for timely delivery of results, data collection, analysis and reporting for laboratory monitoring and facilitation to operational research.
- Liaise on laboratory related topics with national laboratories and laboratories in other countries, IOM Departments and national relevant entities.
- Implement and maintain the system of service improvement with available long-term work plan addressing at least laboratory assessment, facilities and safety, process control, information management and customer service.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
- Master’s degree in Medical (Clinical) Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years’ relevant experience; or,
- University degree in the above fields with four years relevant professional experience.
Experience
- Laboratory experience in a busy institution, preferably in a mycobacteriology laboratory;
- Proven experience in the production of LQMS documentation, and maintenance of a document control system;
- Demonstrated experience as a laboratory educator and promoting laboratory best practices;
- Experience in laboratory management, including staff supervision, budget management, and quality control;
- Experience with laboratory accreditation processes (ISO 15189:2012 and/or ISO 15189:2022) is desirable;
- Excellent and proven Verbal/Written Communication including drafting high-quality concept notes, project proposals, and donor reports; and,
- Experience or training in data analysis, public health or Monitoring & Evaluation is highly desirable.
Skills
- In-depth knowledge of the ISO 15189:2022 standard and Certification in performance of laboratory audits;
- Computer literate, with a deep understanding of accurate data collection and analysis to monitor and continuously improve our laboratory services and performance;
- Excellent and proven Verbal/Written Communication including drafting standard operating procedures, guidelines, and reports;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with laboratory staff and other stakeholders;
- Proven ability to effectively apply and transfer relevant technical knowledge and practices to personnel and laboratory operations;
- Good organizational and planning skills, Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
- Capacity to work effectively in high pressure and rapidly changing environment.