Technical Officer -Diagnostic Access (AfCDC)

Organization Information

Reports to: Senior Technical Officer, Division of Diagnostic Access
Directorate/Department: Africa CDC
Division: Diagnostic Access
Number of Direct Reports: 
Number of Indirect Reports: 
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

Expansion of clinical and public health laboratory systems to support clinical care, disease surveillance and outbreak response is one of the technical pillars of Africa CDC. The Centre of Laboratory Diagnostics and Systems of Africa CDC is leading continental effort of strengthening laboratory systems and networks in African Union Member States. Access to quality assured laboratory diagnostic tools specially during emergency is one of the limiting factors for provision of laboratory services towards the attainment of universal health coverage.  The Senior Technical officer for Diagnostic access will support the implementation of key initiatives to unlock access challenges to quality diagnostics for Africa priority diseases.

Hence, Africa CDC invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for a fixed term post of Technical Officer for diagnostic access

Main Functions

• The technical officer for diagnostics access will assist in supporting activities related to the accelerating diagnostics access in African Union (AU) Member States (MS) in line with the goals of the Africa Collaborative Initiative to Advance Diagnostics (AFCAD). He/she will assist in providing technical support for the implementation of initiatives that will enable all Member States to achieve equitable access to essential diagnostics. The incumbent will support strengthening of Africa biobanking networks, assist in the evaluation and introduction of new or advanced diagnostics technologies, support efforts of local manufacturing of diagnostics and regulatory harmonization. He/she will assist in strengthening laboratory and diagnostic systems to support early warning surveillance and response systems for Africa Union Member States and facilitate the accelerated implementation of International Health Regulations (2015).

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide support on the implementation of objectives of the Africa Collaborative Initiative to Advance Diagnostics (AFCAD).
• Assist in the implementation of all Africa CDC activities related to diagnostics access including supporting biobanking, diagnostics development and evaluation, regulatory approval and harmonization, procurement and global price negotiation, policy adoption and uptake, post-marketing surveillance.
• Assist in activities related to supporting the work plan of the Diagnostics Advisory Committee (DAC)
• Provide technical assistance to the activities of the Africa Biobanking Network and work closely with the biobanking focal person and the biobanking steering committee.
• Assist in regulatory harmonization by working with the Africa Medical Device Forum (AMDF) and the Africa Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Programme (AMRH) of AUDA NEPAD and Africa Medicines Agency to support activities towards regulatory reliance, convergence, and harmonization in the continent.
• Assist in the evaluation of diagnostics including diagnostic technologies such as the diagnostics for priority diseases and other diagnostic tests.
• Collaborate with the appropriate units within Africa CDC to assist in efforts towards local manufacturing of diagnostics in the continent.
• Assist in the development and dissemination of policy documents and guidelines on the adoption and uptake of diagnostic tests in African countries.
• Assist in supporting the monitoring and evaluation of implementation of activities of Diagnostic Access Division including tracking financial expenditure for the program

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A master’s in laboratory science, biomedical sciences, Doctor of Medicine (MD) or related subjects, with a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience. Managerial experience is not required.

Or

• Bachelor’s degree in laboratory science, biomedical science or related fields and a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience. Managerial experience is not required but is an advantage.

Required Skills

Functional Skills

• Project Planning and Management: Skilled in organizing, planning, and executing projects from start to finish.
• Public Health Projects: Experienced in supporting public health projects, focusing on laboratory system strengthening, biobanking, diagnostic evaluation, and regulatory harmonization.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proficient in working with stakeholders involved in laboratory system strengthening and related areas.
• Knowledge of African Institutions: In-depth knowledge of Africa CDC, Regional Coordinating Centers, National Public Health Institutes, and other African Union agencies like AUDA NEPAD.
• Diplomatic Engagement: Effective and diplomatic engagement with partners, including national governments and donors.
• Computer Skills: Excellent skills in word processing, email, internet applications, and software like MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Proactive and Solutions-Oriented: Ability to anticipate issues and develop solutions.

Personal Abilities

• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills.
• Autonomy and Team Spirit: High level of autonomy while maintaining strong team spirit.
• Work Under Pressure: Ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision in a diverse team.
• Planning and Foresight: Ability to plan ahead and anticipate potential barriers.
• Adaptability: Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient, and flexible.
• Clear Communication: Proven ability to use clear, concise language in written communication.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build strong internal and external relationships.
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages, with additional languages being an advantage.

Leadership Competencies

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

LANGUAGES:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

REMUNERATION:

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 85,212.07 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 66,751.81 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

• Applications must be submitted no later Monday February 10, 2024, 11h59 p.m. EAT.
• Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted. -Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
• The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Candidates from less represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles.

These countries include: Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, Somalia and Tunisia.