Technical Officer – Quality Management System and Laboratory Leadership (AfCDC)

Organization Information

Reports to:Head of Laboratory Systems Division
Directorate/Department: Centre for Disease Laboratory Systems and Diagnosis
Division: Laboratory Systems Division
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P2
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

The expansion of clinical and public health laboratory systems to support clinical care, disease surveillance, and outbreak response is one of the technical pillars of the Africa CDC. Quality Management Systems (QMS) and effective laboratory leadership are paramount in Africa to ensure the delivery of accurate and reliable healthcare services. A robust QMS helps maintain high standards, improve efficiency, and enhance patient safety. It ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and fosters continuous improvement. Laboratory leadership plays a crucial role in guiding teams, promoting a culture of quality and excellence, and driving innovation in healthcare practices. In Africa, where healthcare infrastructure can be limited, implementing strong QMS and nurturing effective laboratory leadership are essential to elevate the quality of healthcare services, enhance public health outcomes, and build a foundation for sustainable development.

Main Functions

• Carrying out a variety of technical and programme management support services in the area of public health laboratory systems and networks strengthening in quality management systems and laboratory leadership.
• Ensuring adherence to international quality standards, fostering excellence in lab practices, and driving continuous improvement.
• Building capacity, ensuring the accuracy of test results, and enhancing public health preparedness in Africa.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide programmatic and technical assistance to activities related to public health laboratory systems and networks strengthening activities. Technical assistance and programme management support activities may include laboratory systems strengthening, laboratory quality management systems, laboratory leadership, cross-country specimen transportation, laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, equipment maintenance and calibration, laboratory diagnostics, laboratory research, laboratory management support, procurement, budget, and financial management, grants monitoring and reporting and other support, workforce capacity development, outbreak response, and other activities.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Quality Management Systems (QMS) in accordance with international standards.
• Provide leadership and guidance to laboratory staff to ensure adherence to quality protocols and best practices.
• Conduct regular audits and assessments to monitor the effectiveness of QMS and identify areas for improvement.
• Coordinate training programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of laboratory personnel in quality management.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to promote a culture of quality, excellence, and continuous improvement in laboratory operations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and accreditation standards for laboratories.
• Drive innovation in laboratory practices and technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services in Africa.
• Design and implement a comprehensive laboratory leadership program to develop leadership skills among laboratory professionals in Africa.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to laboratory staff to enhance their leadership capabilities and foster a culture of excellence in laboratory operations.
• Evaluate the impact of the leadership program on laboratory performance, staff engagement, and overall quality of healthcare services in Africa.
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A University bachelor’s degree in laboratory science, Biomedical Science, Laboratory Management, Medical Microbiology, Virology, Immunology or other related Health Sciences, with five (5) years of experience OR Master’s degree in laboratory science, Biomedical Science, Laboratory Management, Medical Microbiology, Virology, Immunology or other related Health Sciences with a minimum of 2 years of working experience.
• Experience in supporting the implementation of laboratory programmes, with emphasis on management of laboratory systems, laboratory quality management systems including strengthening laboratory management towards accreditation, external laboratory quality assessment, training of laboratory workforce, laboratory leadership,  logistics management system, laboratory biosafety and biosecurity and laboratory-based survey and surveillance programs, logistics management and laboratory information system.
• Documented experience working in the African public health sector is also preferred.

Required Skills

Required Skills and Competencies

• A clear understanding of the laboratory systems and networks on the Continent and fair knowledge of operations of the Ministry of Health in the Member States.
• Knowledge and experience in supporting national laboratory systems and networks or other public sector projects and programmes under government ministries and external donors.
• Knowledge of public health issues in Africa and at least 5 years of previous experience working in Africa.
• Understanding of the African Union’s way of working and managing associated relationships with Member State entities and partners.

Functional Skills 

• Demonstrable skills in laboratory diagnostic procedures;
• Familiarity with laboratory quality management practices and processes typically employed by public health laboratories;
• Sound technical writing skills, in addition to narrative and financial reporting skills;
• Knowledge of oral communication techniques to make presentations, provide programme consultation, and respond to inquiries;
• Skills in translating technical information into presentations, briefings, reports, and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences;
• Familiarity with administrative and management support practices and processes typically employed by public health and other public sector programmes;
• Knowledge of interpersonal relationship practices to meet and deal with persons of diverse backgrounds;
• Demonstrable computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications, and experience in using office software applications such as MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Personal Abilities 

• Analytical and problem-solving abilities;
• Able to operate in a multicultural environment;
• High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team spirit;
• Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient, and flexible.
• Ability to be proactive and solutions oriented.
• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Kiswahili) is required. Knowledge of one or several other working languages would be an added 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:

Africa CDC 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.

Applications must be submitted no later than January 24, 2025  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.

-Africa CDC 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.