JOB TITLE: Assistant Laboratory Advisor – Ethiopia PHIA, ICAP Ethiopia
LOCATION: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Required # One
Duration One Year with possible Extension
ICAP at Columbia University is an international non-profit organization that aims to ensure the wellness of families and communities by strengthening health systems around the world.
In partnership with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ICAP will conduct Population-based HIV Impact Assessments (PHIA) in specific PEPFAR-supported countries. Each PHIA will define the status of the national HIV epidemic, guide allocation of resources based on evidence, and integrate capacity building of Ethiopia stakeholders in the design, conduct, analysis, and use of PHIAs.
ICAP, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is planning to conduct a PHIA to estimate the population-level impact of the national HIV prevention, care and treatment programs in Ethiopia. In addition to providing important programmatic information to the FMoH and relevant stakeholders, this assessment of the national HIV program is of great value to HIV researchers and public health experts around the world.
OVERALL JOB FUNCTION
Reporting to the ICAP Country PHIA lab advisor for the Ethiopia, the Asst. Laboratory Advisor will be responsible for assisting in overseeing the laboratory component of the PHIA within Ethiopia at a regional level. The Asst. Laboratory Advisor will also work closely with the CDC, MOH/EPHI, the satellite labs and survey teams to ensure that laboratory samples are correctly collected, processed, and transported and that results are returned in a timely manner. This position is grant funded.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Assist with development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the implementation of all lab related aspects of the PHIA project;
· Assist in setting up a Lab team, train, coordinate and supervise this team of laboratory officers, as needed;
· Review the development and implementation of QA/QC procedures for point of care HIV rapid testing and PIMA CD4 point of care testing conducted by the laboratory in the study;
· Ensure and review the development and implementation of QA/QC procedures for the collection, processing, storage and transportation of other study-related lab specimens by the survey subcontractor in the study including for HIV recency, HIV RNA, and HIV DNA PCR for EID;
· Ensure laboratory specimen data are correctly captured in the study database at the central and satellite lab level
· Assist with the interpretation of laboratory results from the PHIA project and provide feedback on ways to improve/streamline lab procedures and systems;
· Assist the PHIA team to develop strategies to ensure timely reporting of results to study participants;
· Assist and monitor the regional filed lab advisors and central lab staff for their activities
· Review weekly laboratory reports provided by the central laboratory and assist the Laboratory Advisor, with preparing regular progress reports;
· Represent ICAP in discussions with national stakeholders and assess ways in which national capacity to process samples can be developed and strengthened;
· Assist in liaising with laboratory technical staff in ICAP NY Headquarters (HQs), and CDC Ethiopia.
· Participate in conference calls and weekly meeting
· Write weekly and trip reports
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
· Master's degree in biomedical laboratory technology, biomedical sciences or other relevant fields
· Relevant experience of 5+ years
· Experience on survey is advantageous
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND OTHER SKILLS:
· 5+ years of experience working in a clinical or research laboratory;
· 2 or more years as a team leader managing other Laboratory staff
· Extensive knowledge and experience in design, implementation and management of laboratory services in HIV programs;
· Extensive knowledge and experience in HIV related surveys and management of survey laboratory data
· Knowledge/experience of procurement procedures and equipment/supply/stock tracking and inventory;
· Experience with lab-related data management systems;
· High level of proficiency in relevant computer applications, particularly Excel;
· Excellent interpersonal, management, and communication skills.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
May require periodic trips to survey sites
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