Antimalarial drug resistance molecular surveillance lab manager

Job Description

Duration of contract:  one year, with possibility of extension

Required number: One

Contract Duration:

·  One year –with possibility of extension based on availability of fund

Report to: Bacterial, Parasitic and Zoonotic Diseases Research Directorate; Malaria and NTDs research team (malaria drug resistance surveillance PI)

Job Summary: Work with Malaria and NTDs research team, laboratory management officer performs antimalarial drug resistance surveillance implementation plan to ensure antimalarial drug resistance markers and monitoring malaria treatment efficacy in selected malaria sentinel sites.

1.Back ground

The World Bank supports a project to support African Center for Disease Control (ACDC) regional Investment financing program to strengthen institutional capacity-building efforts by the ACDC headquarters in Addis Ababa, the SA-RCC in Lusaka, and the Ethiopian and Zambian health authorities.

The ACDC has identified Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as a critical continental challenge. The subcomponent will strengthen national surveillance systems, estimate the extent and burden of antimalarial drug resistance analyze and report national data, detect emerging evidence of antimalarial drug resistance markers, inform the implementation of targeted control measures, and assess the impact of interventions. It will finance technical assistance to: (i) support the implementation of the Global Action Plan for AMR in Africa; (ii) assist AMRSNET in formulating standard policies, procedures, and guidelines regarding antimicrobial use in humans and livestock, and finalize its development program; and (iii) technical workshops and meetings to explain the ACDC framework and guidelines for AMR, the operation of AMRSNET, and develop regional agreements for sharing data and specimens and for transferring medical supplies and materials. Ethiopian Public Health Institute(EPHI) is responsible for the administration of the project fund which need considerable efforts to plan, administer, and follow-up. For the effective implementation of this project activities EPHI is looking one laboratory quality management officer with strong qualification and experiencefor antimalarial drug resistance surveillance implementation plan.

The laboratory quality management officer is responsible to strengthen and ensure overall quality of  Anti-malaria  drug resistance national reference laboratoryand selected sentinel sites, which need considerable efforts to standardized procedures and systems, and follow-up implementations to provide quality health care to patients and generate accurate and reliable antimalarial drug resistance surveillance data. For the effective implementation of these activities EPHI requires Antimalarial drug resistance surveillance laboratory manager.

2. Objective

To strengthen the diagnostic capacity of laboratories for antimalarial drug resistance surveillance including standardization of testing procedures appropriate use of antimalarial drug resistance laboratory commodities. The antimalarial drug resistance laboratory manager needs to have an extensive experience molecular technique, tools and approaches, in-depth knowledge and experience of the overall laboratory quality management systems.

3.Specfic Tasks/Responsibilities

·Develop plan of action based on surveillance operational manual for the specific antimalarial drug resistance surveillance at national and site levels.

· Strengthen Anti-malaria drug resistance national reference laboratory

· Ensure the overall quality of antimalarial drug resistance laboratory at national and site level.

· Develop and ensure the availability of laboratory polices,protocols, appropriate tools and standard operating procedures (SOP).

· Checks all internal quality control procedures are in place and implemented.

· Support laboratories to involve in External quality assurance system

· Ensure the availability of antimalarial drug resistance commodities and reagents at national and site level.

· Ensure proper maintenance of laboratory diagnostic devices and equipment, with a focus on antimalarial drug resistance-related devices and equipment

· Involved in specimen management including optimal specimen transport of isolates from sites identified for antimalarial drug resistance surveillance,

·Create smooth communication with EPHI and surveillance sites,

· Close support to sites in inventory control, specimen collection, processing and package

· Support sites on documentation, quality data collection and transferring of data to EPHI,

· Compiling and reporting surveillance activities performed to Antimalarial drug resistance project coordinator or malaria and NTDs research team leader on quarterly, bi-annual and annual basis

·Working closely with antimalarial drug resistance coordinator and the team,

· Participate in Antimalarial drug resistance surveillance coordination  technical meetings

· Any other task deemed necessary to achieve the objectives of the project assigned by immediate supervisor and Directorate

4.   REPORTING

· The Antimalarial drug resistancesurveillance laboratory quality management officer will report to theMalaria and NTDs research team leader and closely working with AMR surveillance national coordinator

· The Antimalarial drug resistance surveillance laboratory quality management officer will be based at the Ba/Pa/Zo Research Directorate; Malaria and NTDs research team (malaria drug resistance PI). 

Job Requirement

·Master’s degree, in Molecular quality laboratory management, Parasitology or molecular diagnostics or equivalent in biomedical Science.

·Molecular lab experience, 10+ years

Experience

Specialized knowledge in antimalarial drug resistance, including:

· Antimalarial drug resistance molecular diagnostic and monitoring technologies, tools and approaches

· Familiar with local and international research ethics.

· Ability and being proactive in team work and works long hours efficiently.

· Experience in inventory and procurement management of molecular supplies, with a focus on antimalarial drug resistance commodities and reagents

·  Experience in maintaining functional diagnostic devices and equipment, with a focus on antimalarial drug resistance -related devices and equipment