Technical Officers –Laboratory Scientist : JHPIEGO – Johns Hopkins...
Technical Officers –Laboratory Scientist : JHPIEGO – Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics
Job location
Harare
Job details
Overview
Through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Jhpiego is implementing the project ‘Expanding Efforts and Strategies to protect and improve public health globally’ in Zimbabwe and 16 other countries globally. Jhpiego seeks to use technical assistance (TA) resources to improve the quality and accelerate achievement of programs and grants associated with the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM). Jhpiego, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University, is seeking three (3) Technical Officers-Laboratory Strengthening to provide technical and implementation support to the MOHCC for improved lab capacity, quality diagnostics and management systems in Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central. These positions will sit with the Provincial offices and work closely with the relevant counterparts, primarily the Laboratory Scientists. These positions will report to Jhpiego’s Program Manager for Surveillance and Laboratory strengthening.
This is a contractual position and is renewable based on availability of funding and scope of work.
Responsibilities
Work in close collaboration with provincial Chief Lab Scientists for the implementation of decentralized lab capacity as prioritized by the COVID-19 response pillars
Refine and/or develop guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and tools for strengthening laboratory capacities at provincial and district level
Support the MoH in the implementation of quality management systems, identification of supply/equipment/training gaps, planning and collaborative delivery of training workshops
Coordinate Laboratories’ External Quality Analysis
Strengthen sample transport systems
Coordinate with surveillance focal points to ensure data is aligned
Collaborate with provincial health management teams to ensure prioritized activities related to COVID-19 surveillance and laboratory strengthening activities are implemented timely
Represent Jhpiego in forums that deal with laboratory matters provide feedback to national-level teams
Required Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in Laboratory Science with postgraduate degree/Diploma in any of the biological sciences including molecular biology, microbiology, medical laboratory technology or biochemistry.
Certification in laboratory quality management systems (ISO 9001:2005, ISO 15189:2012,
Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA), Stepwise Laboratory Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA)) or biosafety/biorisk management
At least 5 year of experience working as a laboratory technician or a pharmacist biologist.
At least 1-year experience working in the laboratory in response to epidemics and other health emergencies.
Experience in diagnosis of emerging infectious diseases including influenza, severe acute
respiratory infections (SARI), Meningococcal meningitis, viral haemorrhagic fevers, arbovirus, norovirus or Coronavirus (SARS – CoV-2) diseases
Familiarity with common serological, molecular and microbiology diagnostic testing methods.
Experience working as a laboratory quality manager, biosafety officer, supervisor or director.
Demonstrated technical and management skills.
Supply and reagent forecasting competencies
Proficiency in laboratory biosafety and risk assessment
Ability to support quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) initiatives
Ability to travel up to 40%
Fluent in written and spoken English
Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience working on CDC-funded projects
Experience in development of protocols and implementation of public health evaluations
TO APPLY
Click here to apply
Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package including: medical and dental plans; paid vacation, holidays and sick leave; personal accident insurance; 403(b) retirement plan; life and disability insurance; travel insurance; education assistance plan and more.
Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation
