Regional Lab Advisor (5 Positions)

Job Description

ICAP at Columbia University, a global health leader situated within the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, seeks highly qualified candidates to serve as Regional Lab Advisor -Ethiopia. The incumbent will be responsible to the design and implementation of laboratory program in general including viral load specimen referral/testing, DBS sample referral/EID testing, Quality RHT, AHD laboratory screening service and the overall Quality Assurance at ICAP supported regions including Addis Ababa City Administration (AACAHB), Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and Newly formed regions.

ICAP seeks highly qualified and experienced candidates to fill the Regional Lab Advisor Position by November, 2023.The successful candidate will hold an MSc degree or above in Laboratory Science or related from recognized university and a Minimum of 5 years work in country experience, including laboratory support to HIV program.

The incumbent will have a demonstrated track record working on US Government-supported PEPFAR programs including program planning, monitoring and evaluation. The Regional Lab Advisor will also have experience working effectively as a part of diverse staff teams, and contributing to successful collaborations with donors, host-country ministries of health, and civil society.

Job summery

Under the guidance of the regional director, the laboratory advisor supports the design
and implementation of laboratory program in general including viral load specimen
referral/testing, DBS sample referral/EID testing, Quality RHT, AHD laboratory
screening service and the overall Quality Assurance at ICAP supported regions
including Addis Ababa City Administration (AACAHB), Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and
Newley formed regions.

Main duties and responsibilities:

As the Laboratory Advisor to the region, the incumbent will have the following
responsibilities:

 Provide high level technical assistance to RHBs/RRLs in planning,
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of laboratory programs of CU ICAP in
Ethiopia.
 Provide high level technical assistance to RHBs/RRLs to identify performance
gaps/ challenges and working strategies to improve VL testing coverage and
suppression.
 Identify performance gaps and support RHBs/RRLs to implement quality
improvement initiatives to increase access and quality of viral load service in
ICAP supported regions.
 Provide technical assistance to the National/ Sub National Units (SNUs)/ RRLs in
developing/updating different guidelines, working formats, monitoring, and
evaluation indicators.
 Provide support to print and distribute specimen referral SOPs and mapping and
remapping.
 Provide TA to RHBs/RRLs to print and distribute viral load demand creation
tools, specimen referral SOPs, request forms, registers, and different provider
support tools.
 Provide high level technical assistance to RHBs/RRLs to sustain routine Viral Load
Monitoring (RVLM) service at all ICAP supported regions.
 Provide TA support to RHBs/RRLs in the establishment/ strengthening of tracking
system (line listing) for routine VL testing for clients that need to be tested based
on the national guideline recommendations.
 Provide TA support to RHBs/RRLs to support health facilities to increase access
to viral load testing and result utilization by improving clinic-laboratory interface
and strengthening viremia clinics.
 Support RHBs/RRL and testing sites to ensure comprehensive and uninterrupted
specimen referral services for viral load, EID, CD4, and Gene Xpert testing
services.
 Provide high level technical assistance to RHBs/RRLs to strengthen AHD
screening and management practice.
 Provide high level technical assistance to RHBs/RRLs to implement new HIV
related testing technologies/methods.
 Support viral load testing sites and referring health facilities to reduce backlog
samples and data to improve viral load testing Turnaround Time (TAT)
 Provide TA to RHBs/RRLs to plan and conduct capacity building activities.
 Provide technical support to RHBs/RRLs viral load specimen referral network
mapping and remapping process.
 Facilitate timely equipment maintenance and testing commodities refill.
 Provide high level technical assistance to RHBs/RRLs to ensure a strong supply
management system.
 Provides technical support to RRLs to strengthen implementation of International/
National External Quality Assessment Scheme (IEQAS/NEQAS) and Regional
External Quality Assessment Scheme (REQAS) in the regions.
 Provide technical support RRLs/RHBs to strengthen implementation of Point of
Care (POC) RHT Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and certification
programs.
 Provide technical support to RRLs to implement WHO AFRO Laboratory
accreditation process.
 Coordinate and provide technical assistance in planning, implementation,
monitoring, and evaluation of viral load monitoring of CU ICAP supported
regions.
 Participate in the regional office weekly and monthly performance review
meetings.
 Participate in health facility mentoring, joint supportive supervision with RHBs
and RRLs.
 Follow and ensure all SNUs/RRLs to conduct SIMS for respective high load
health facilities.
 Prepare and evaluate annual work plan with targeted benchmark indicators and
evaluate them quarterly and harmonize annual, semi-annual, and quarterly basis.
 Support the establishment and strengthening of biomedical centers.
 Participate in the regional offices’ monthly performance review meetings.
 Support the RHBs in preparation of continuation application (CA)
 Participate in joint supportive supervision with RHBs and hospital-based
mentors.
 Represent ICAP-Ethiopia in different forums when assigned by the supervisor.
 Present and participate actively in monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual
ICAP performance review meetings.
 Prepare and submit weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual activity
reports.
 Ensure that all lab related targets are met.
 Perform other duties as assigned by the regional and central supervisor.
Required qualification and work experience:
 MSc degree or above in Laboratory Science or related from recognized
university.
 Minimum of 5 years work in country experience, including laboratory support to
HIV program
 Has TOT/ basic training on EID/VL testing, specimen referral, rapid HIV testing,
CD4, TB diagnosis and DST, LQMS, SLMTA, and PT preparation and
interpretation, etc.
 Experience in teaching, mentoring, organizing, and conducting related training.
 Experience in mentoring and assessing WHO-AFRO SLIPTA and accreditation.
 Experience in development of national/ regional documents related to specimen
referral, testing and laboratory accreditation process.
 Excellent interpersonal and coordination skills.
 Proficiency in written and spoken English.
 Computer skills (MS Office, power point, excel and statistical packages.
 Need based travel as scheduled by regional directors.

Applications close: 29 Oct 2023 E. Africa Standard Time