• Application Deadline:
• Position: Senior Technical Officer, Laboratory Services


• Job Type Full Time


• Qualification BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA


• Experience 5 - 9 years


• Location Akwa Ibom


• Job Field Medical / Healthcare  , NGO/Non-Profit 
  

Basic Function

• Provide technical expertise and assistance in implementing high-quality laboratory services within the care and treatment project in Nigeria, including laboratory capacity development at the PCR laboratory and project health facility sites.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Give technical support and develop quality policies, quality tools, SOPs and recommendations related to the implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of laboratory services for HIV/AIDS, opportunistic (OI) and malaria care and treatment in collaboration with technical staff within FHI and at national, state and local agencies in Nigeria.


• Provide technical assistance in capacity building for laboratory services at health facilities and other settings as appropriate.


• Develop concept papers and research papers to improve and or extend existing laboratory activities.


• Carry out quality control functions/activities, in collaboration with the zonal and state teams, of the labs, including quality control inspections schedules and the collection of quality control records; ensure the availability of quality records documents.


• Review and monitor QA and QC activities of the Laboratory in order to determine conformance with established policies, national regulations, or accreditation requirements.


• Provide technical leadership and technical support related to high technology (TB culture, PCR) laboratory services.


• Remain informed on new findings in the field of laboratory technology that relate to HIV/AIDS, OI, malaria care and treatment by reviewing current literature, and drawing implications from research for program activities.


• Coordinate Proficiency testing (PT) activities and ensure PT is being done for each specialty; explore other ways of testing evaluation in the absence of PT.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• Knowledge of health and development programs in developing countries in general and Nigeria specifically.


• Excellent working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the following categories of assays: HIV rapid and confirmatory testing, hematology, biochemistry, CD4/CD8, HIV viral load, HIV DNA qualitative test, HIV viral resistance (genotype and phenotype).


• Excellent working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the identification and culturing of different TB species,and drug resistance tuberculosis


• Thorough knowledge of QA, QC and proficiency testing concepts; the ability to apply these concepts to resolve complex conditions in laboratory and administrative settings.


• Knowledge of laboratory service and management issues related to the clinical management of HIV/AIDS, including ART.


• Knowledge of laboratory service and management issues related to Opportunistic infection (OI) and malaria.


• Knowledge of District Health Information System (DHIS) and Lafiya Management Information System (LAMIS) is required.


• Laboratory management and training experience and ability to understand full range of issues around the laboratory management of HIV/AIDS, including provision of counseling and testing services.


• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding HIV infection.


• Excellent data driving and analytic skills


• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, subcontractors, consultants and recipients of assistance.


• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.


• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English communication.


• Well-developed computer skills.


• Ability to travel within Nigeria 25% time.

Qualifications and Requirements

• B.Sc in Laboratory sciences or related field with 7 - 9 years post national youth service experience and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in provision of laboratory support for HIV/AIDS. Or


• Master’s degree in laboratory sciences or related field with 5-7 years post national youth service experience and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in provision of laboratory support for HIV/AIDS.


• Experience in the management of laboratory services, particularly health facility-based services, including quality assurance systems, laboratory analysis, and interpretation and reporting techniques based on best practices, quality management practices and safe work practices.


• Experience implementing in the North East Zone.


• Knowledge of advanced laboratory procedures, diagnosis and management related to HIV/AIDS care and treatment is required with some experience in an international development organization preferred.


• Certification of license to practice as a medical laboratory scientist is required.


• Expertise in hematology, TB and blood safety issues will be an added advantage.