Laboratory Advisor -Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Job Description

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is looking for a fulltime

Laboratory Advisor

Duty station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation 

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (KNCV) is one of the leading international non-profit organizations dedicated to fighting tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. We are an international center of expertise for TB control that stimulates effective, efficient and sustainable tuberculosis control strategies in a national and international context. We are an organization of passionate TB professionals, including medical doctors, researchers, training experts, nurses and epidemiologists.

Over the past century we have built a wealth of knowledge and expertise, initially by successfully driving back TB in the Netherlands, and subsequently by partnering in the fight against TB in over 40 countries worldwide.

We operate from a central office in The Hague in the Netherlands and additional country offices worldwide). KNCV raises funds from individual, institutional and corporate donors. 

Background

KNCV has been supporting the national TB program in Ethiopia in different TB program related areas including strengthening of childhood TB management in the country. As part of this effort, KNCV supported the implementation of the Painless Optimized Diagnostics for TB in Ethiopian Children (PODTEC) between 2019 and 2021 with emphasis on improving access to non-invasive diagnostic methods. Building on this effort, KNCV will support scale up of the services to south Omo (SNNPR), Borena Zone (Oromia regional states and North Wollo Zone (Amhara regional states).

Purpose of the position

KNCV is looking for a laboratory advisor who will lead the laboratory aspects of the project. The laboratory advisor will report directly to the Project coordinator and will work in close coordination with the KNCV local and central office team.

Profile

The laboratory advisor will:

Technical assistance

• Support implementation of the project and make sure that all laboratory related activities are implemented and managed per the SOP set by the project;
• Support the overall specimen transport and results feedback system, communication and strengthening of the networks of the GeneXpert sites;
• Provide technical assistance to the health facilities during supportive supervision and review meetings;
• Ensure that records are maintained at facility level;
• Prepare site-specific project progress reports to KNCV country office on a pre-defined basis;
• Facilitate targeted supervision to study health facilities that require focused technical support such as mentoring, monitoring and supervision;
• Assist the zonal coordinators to strengthen and coordinate an effective referral system of TB patients or samples;
• Ensure the availability and utilization of sample processing and sample transportation SOPs related to the implementation of stool study and pilot work;
• Develop close working relationships with the study health facilities and other stakeholders that have responsibility for eligible participants identification, sample collection, data recording, sample referral and sample processing;
• Facilitate sample transportation and improve communication of test results between health facility and GeneXpert site;
• Work with central KNCV staff to effectively address operational challenges such as training preparation, supply needs, and the timely cascade of the supportive supervision and review meetings;
• Regularly monitor the data collection and study implementation, and prepare report;
• Provide technical support to zonal coordinators on the specimen referral system;
• Supportive supervision to the zonal project sites;
• Follow the implementation of the begize e specimen referral system at each level in collaboration with zonal coordinators;
• Perform other duties appropriate to the position as required and as assigned by the project.

Who are we looking for?

• Sc. in medical Laboratory Technology/Science is essential, MSc/MPH is desirable;
• Minimum of 4 years of post-qualification experience including experience on working in TB laboratory (including TB culture lab and Xpert MTB/RIF).

Knowledge/Experience

• Sound knowledge of basic principles, techniques and safety procedures and quality management in the laboratory system;
• Experience with research and studies in relevant field;
• Sound skills of standard sample collection, handling and processing;
• Previous experience as study coordinator for microbiology studies or equivalent experience in TB program is desirable;
• Familiar to work with standard biosafety guidelines, keeping the general infection control precautions;
• Experience in working with the sub-city/zonal or regional TB program and building the capacity of laboratory experts TB diagnostics will be preferred.

Behavioral competencies and skills

• Excellent communication- and interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with culturally diverse partners;
• Computer literacy; competency with Microsoft Office, excel, internet and e-mail systems,
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Amharic is required;
• Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with colleagues and partners;
• Ability to cope with a demanding work environment and to organize and prioritize workload;
• Willingness to travel frequently to the study sites within Addis Ababa and occasionally beyond.

What does KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation offer?

• A fixed-term contract till end of December 2023 with a possibility for extension
• An informal work atmosphere in an international environment where a pro-active mentality is appreciated;
• A highly-motivated team of experienced, self-driven colleagues;
• The salary is dependent upon education and relevant working experience;
• KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation has its own Employment Conditions Scheme;
• Full-time employment consists of 37.5 hours per week.

Application and information

Applicants must be eligible to work in Ethiopia. You can apply for this position by submitting your CV, including a motivation letter and 3 professional references, via the link: www.kncvtbc.org/vacancies before 29 November 2022. If you have any questions on the position, please feel free to contact (+251) 116 63 01 46. For further information on KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, please see www.kncvtbc.org.

Please note that we only consider the applications that are received through the KNCV website. Applications that are sent to recruit email account are not taken into consideration.