FHI360/NIGERIA

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Technical Officer, Laboratory Quality Management and Logistics

Location: Cross River State

Supervisor: Senior Technical Advisor, Laboratory Services

Basic Function:

The Technical Officer - Laboratory services will liaise with the STA-Lab and the laboratory team at clusters and Country Office to provide technical support and implement high-quality laboratory services within the state for FHI Nigeria programs including adherence to relevant professional standards and guidelines, and involvement with laboratory clinical governance issues and audits.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Coordinate and maintain oversight of the day-to-day operations of all laboratory services at the state level.
• Provide technical support, supervision, monitoring and quality assurance of laboratory service operations in the state.
• Contribute to the development of lessons learned from programs and projects related to laboratory management of HIV/AIDS and apply these lessons to modify existing program and improve the design of new programs.
• Represent FHI Nigeria on issues of laboratory management of HIV/AIDS at the states.
• Work with facility QA officers/ESM leads to monitor the quality of laboratory operations and testing in supported facilities.
• Track the implementation of a Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS)
• Assist facility staff in overseeing day-to-day quality assurance and quality control of laboratory operations to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies and ISO 15189 standards.
• Support the QA officers to design and implement oversight practices, such as testing, inspections, working with the state teams to prepare the facilities for accreditation.
• Collate, review and report facility reports (site visits, monthly/quarterly narrative, data, mentoring and supervision, etc.)
• Provide assistance in analysis of monitoring/audit results in order to identify service gaps, develop quality management plan and initiate, prioritize and deploy operational improvement measure with the laboratory team.
• Work closely with M&E and other lab staff to ensure that laboratory quality-related data e.g. proficiency testing and retesting are adequately captured in the DHIS, LMIS and LAMIS on time.
• Ensure that the test, controls and inspections are carried out and that personnel have access to all required quality-related documents.
• Participate in EQA, proficiency testing activities. Prepare detailed competency and SPI-RT audit reports for the unit and tracking return of EQA reports from facilities.
• Facilitate and ensure routine PPM and routine service/equipment maintenance.
• Remain informed on current programs in the field of laboratory management of HIV/AIDS and related development field by reviewing current literature and staying alert to any implication of such experience and research for department activities as outlined by the technical supervisor.
• Systematically ensure that records of nonconformity of events reports at the states are kept and resolve non-conformities arising within the laboratory unit to completion.
• Work closely with the lab facility staff to ensure that universal safety precautions are properly followed and biological waste from the labs and blood banks is properly disposed of.
• Provide technical assistance in capacity building for laboratory services to FHI and facility staff.
• Provide technical support on blood safety and laboratory quality assurance issues within FHI at state and local agencies in Nigeria.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures with clinical laboratory functions and quality management systems for labs.
• Knowledge of health and development programs in developing countries in general and Nigeria specifically
• 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.
• Excellent working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the following categories of assays: HIV rapid and confirmatory testing, CD4/CD8, HIV viral load, HIV DNA qualitative test, HIV viral resistance (genotype and phenotype)
• Good working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the microscopic identification and culturing of different TB species, and drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
• Knowledge of District Health Information System (DHIS) and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation and training skills.
• Ability to work well with others and develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, project collaborators, subcontractors and consultants.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills. And the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of national and international regulations with quality assurance, laboratory standards and guidelines.
• Knowledge of USAID and PEPFAR funded programs.
• Supervisory or management experience required.
• Must be able to work independently, and as part of a management team.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding HIV infections.
• Ability to represent FHI360 to donors, government officials and the NGO community.
• Ability to manage and complete numerous tasks with a high degree of organization and meet deadlines with strong attention to consistency, detail, and quality.
• Prior work experience in a non- governmental organization (NGO).
• Familiarity with the Nigerian public sector health system and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.
• Well-developed computer skills
• Ability to travel within Nigeria 25% time.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• BSc in Laboratory sciences or related field with 5-7 years post national youth service experience and a minimum of 3 years’ experience in the provision of laboratory support for HIV/AIDS.
• Or Master’s degree in Laboratory sciences or related field with 3-5 years post national youth service experience and a minimum of 3 years’ experience in the provision of laboratory support for HIV/AIDS.
• Certification/license to practice as a medical laboratory scientist is required.

Safeguarding:

FHI 360 is committed to provide a safe environment for all employees, beneficiaries and anyone contracted by FHI 360. This Includes taking measures to protecting vulnerable people from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by either FHI 360 employees or associated personnel. FHI 360 abides by child safeguarding principles. FHI 360’s Safeguarding Policies apply and flow out to all FHI 360 staff, board members, volunteers, and partner staff (subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and sub-recipients), regardless of the funding mechanism or amount of contract, agreement, or purchase order.

This job posting 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.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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