International NGO Laboratory Specialist Vacancy

An international NGO, implementing comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment programs to facilitate the Kenya Ministries of Medical Services and Public Health to control the spread of HIV and rapidly scale up HIV services with primary goal of supporting the scale-up of HIV prevention, care, and treatment activities, institute continuous quality improvement methods as well as the M&E infrastructure necessary to support these services, within designated health care facilities in Nairobi is seeking suitably qualified Kenyans able to fill the above position.

The Laboratory Specialist will report to the Senior Technical Advisor

Purpose of Position

Under the supervision of the STA, the Laboratory Specialist will work to ensure proper transfer of the global organisational Laboratory strategy by providing technical assistance and capacity building to Point of Service laboratory scientists and technicians in support of laboratory activities.

S/he will provide oversight to the Laboratory components at Point of Services

Duties and Responsibilities

Laboratory Assessments (including suggested training and equipment procurement)

  • Conduct an assessment of a laboratory during each visit to the laboratory to assess capacity, quality control and assurance, and laboratory needs.
Laboratory Capacity Building and Technical Assistance 
  • The laboratory Specialist will be trained to assist laboratories in capacity building.
  • This involves training, including but not limited to, equipment techniques, didactic trainings, review of information and techniques learned during site activation, reagent forecasting and procurement, laboratory flow/specimen tracking, and maintenance.
Laboratory Logistics in Country 
  • Where necessary the laboratory Specialist will support LPTFs to forecast their reagent needs, procure reagents from manufacturers and ensure timely distribution of the reagents to the points of service.
  • Viral Load Sampling and selective viral load testing (as a part of PACT Quality Improvement and for patient management)
  • Facilitate the collection and transport of viral load samples to the laboratories performing the viral load analysis.
Laboratory Troubleshooting
  • The laboratory Specialist will assist all points of service in troubleshooting all problems that occur within a laboratory.
  • When necessary, the laboratory Specialist will facilitate the use of reference or other laboratories to perform the testing that a laboratory is unable to perform if a piece of equipment is not functioning.
Representation and networking
  • Establish relationships with any laboratories designated as central laboratories for selected services.
  • The laboratory Specialist will work closely with these laboratories to ensure PACT supported LPTFs have timely and adequate access to these services.
  • The laboratory Specialist will work with partners and stakeholders within the region to ensure PACT is adequately and appropriately represented at all levels.
Desired Qualifications
  • Registration with KMLTTB
  • Higher diploma (Virology) or BSc MLS
  • 5-7 years work experience
  • Proficiency in computer packages for generating/analysis of reports
  • Working knowledge on donor funded programs
  • Documented knowledge of HIV/AIDS Lab Trainings as part of CPD
  • Dedicated team player in a dynamic environment of international staffs
If you meet the qualifications above and are interested in joining out team, kindly send your application letter and an updated CV giving daytime telephone contacts and contacts of referees:

Project Director - PACT,
Maryland Global Initiatives Corp,
P.O. Box 495-00606, NBI.

The deadline for applications is on or before 21st September 2010.

Please indicate on the envelop the position you have applied for.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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