Regional Lab Advisor

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 to be based in Ethiopia-Gambella.

The Regional Lab 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 to Gambella RHB /Gambella Regional Referral Lab.

ICAP seeks highly qualified and experienced candidates to fill the Regional Lab Advisor by May 2024.The successful candidate will hold 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. Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills, demonstrated coordination, and the ability to work collaboratively with culturally diverse partners.

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 to Gambella RHB /Gambella Regional Referral
Lab.

Main duties and responsibilities:

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

• Provide high level technical assistance to RHB/RRL in planning, implementation,
monitoring, and evaluation of laboratory programs.
• Provide high level technical assistance to RHB/RRL to identify performance gaps/
challenges and working strategies to improve VL testing coverage and suppression.
• Identify performance gaps and support RHB/RRL to implement quality improvement
initiatives to increase access and quality of the viral load services.
• Provide TA support to print and distribute specimen referral SOPs and mapping and
remapping.
• Provide TA to RHB/RRL 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 RHB/RRL to sustain routine Viral Load
Monitoring (RVLM) service in Gambella region.
• Provide TA support to RHB/RRL 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 RHB/RRL to support health facilities to increase access to viral
load testing and result utilization by improving clinic-laboratory interface and
strengthening viremia clinics.
• Support RHB/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 the RHB/RRL to strengthen AHD screening
and management practice.
• Provide high level technical assistance to the 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 the RHB/RRL to plan and conduct capacity building activities.
• Provide technical support to the RHB/RRL viral load specimen referral network
mapping and remapping process.
• Facilitate timely equipment maintenance and testing commodities refill.
• Provide high level technical assistance the RHB/RRL to ensure a strong supply
management system.
• Provides technical support to RRL to strengthen implementation of International/
National External Quality Assessment Scheme (IEQAS/NEQAS) and Regional External
Quality Assessment Scheme (REQAS) in the region.
• Provide technical support the RRL/RHB to strengthen implementation of Point of
Care (POC) RHT Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and certification programs.
• Provide technical support to the RRL to implement WHO AFRO Laboratory
accreditation process.
• Coordinate and provide technical assistance in planning, implementation,
monitoring, and evaluation of viral load monitoring of Gambella region.
• Participate in the regional office weekly and monthly performance review meetings.
• Participate in health facility mentoring, joint supportive supervision with the RHB
and the RRL.
• Follow and ensure all the RHB/RRL 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.
• Participate in the regional offices’ monthly performance review meetings.
• Support the RHB in preparation of continuation application (CA)
• Participate in joint supportive supervision with the RHB 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.

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.

“The position is contingent upon availability of grant funding. Columbia University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, religion, creed, national and ethnic origin, age, citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran, or any other legally protected status.”