UMB has a Global Health Program which
is delivered through the Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation (MGIC) and
housed by various institutes among them the Institute of Human Virology
(IHV).
The Institute has led efforts to
build National Health Systems in each country via strategic international,
national, and local collaborations through the design and implementation of
unique education, training, and treatment programs addressing each country’s
complex HIV/AIDS epidemics.
In Kenya, UMB through the Institute
of Human Virology started operations in 2004 under the AIDS Relief Project
consortium funded by Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
through HRSA/CDC.
This was the beginning of UMB’s work
in Kenya which has seen implementation of 11 grants to-date.
MGIC is seeking a suitably qualified
person able to fill the position of Bio-safety Technician, under the Boresha
Maabara Grant.
Boresha Maabara Grant: “BORESHA MAABARA” (improve laboratory services) is a five (5) year project funded through the US Government Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
The project seeks to enhance
diagnostic testing for the prevention, surveillance and treatment of infectious
diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis, and other HIV-related opportunistic
infections.
The project is implemented jointly by
the Ministry of Health, National Public Health Laboratory Services, National
Blood Transfusion Service and the respective County Governments.
Vacancy: Bio-Safety Technician
Location: Nairobi
Proposed Start Date: Immediately
Position Summary: Under
the supervision of Senior Technical Advisor, Bio-safety Technician will be
responsible for installation and maintenance of biosafety cabinets in the
project designated sites.
He/she will also offer mentorship and
training on correct use of biosafety cabinets and safety.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Perform site Installation test for Biological
safety cabinets, commissioning by adjusting, calibrating/certifying and testing
their performances as per the international traceability standards in the
Ministry of Health.
- Perform routine preventive maintenance,
conduct troubleshooting and repairing malfunctions/ part replacements as
per manufacturer’s specifications and standards.
- Perform Biosafety Cabinet and laboratory
decontamination in line with safety requirements of handling
paraformaldehyde gas or its equivalent as outlined in the NSF49 annex G or
EN 12469-2000 standards.
- Provide mentorship to MOH engineering staff on
BSC certification and service.
- Train and retrain new and old users on correct
use of Biological safety Cabinets on site and demonstrate how safety is
achieved.
- Train Laboratory staff on Biosafety
Biosecurity (Trainer of trainers (TOT)) and occasionally perform
laboratory assessment and audits as per ISO 15189.
- Carry out basic field maintenance to
certification instruments and tools and organize for annual calibration by
the specialists.
- Assist in laboratory design and equipment
placement, advice facilities as required, Compile reports and findings.
- Assist other partners and facilities in line
with Biosafety cabinetry work upon request.
- Assist in formulation of quarterly progress
report in relation to the specialty.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree/Diploma in
Biomedical Engineering from a reputable organization.
- Must have advanced certification certificate
on BSC certification from reputable institutions.
- Must be able to read and interpret data on the
certification equipment/instruments and tools and ability to interpret
printed power and electronic circuit diagrams.
- TOT in Biosafety/ Biosecurity is preferred.
Desired Skills
- Ability to work independently, under pressure
while at the same time adhering to strict deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication
skills
- Excellent analytical skills and problem
solving skills.
- Innovative with a high degree of initiative
- Organizational skills
- Excellent Leadership & Presentation skills
Vacancy: Laboratory Specialist - Haemovigilance
Location: Nairobi
Proposed Start Date: Immediately
Position Summary: Under the supervision of Senior Technical Advisor,
Laboratory Specialist-Haemovigilance will be responsible for strengthening
haemovigilance related practices and outcomes in the project designated sites.
He/she will be expected to
ensure that all haemovigilance related practices meet national recognized
policies, guidelines and standards.
He/She will also support
practice/service development and capacity building in the area of haemovigilance
through mentorship and training to facilitate development of competencies
within the specialty.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Facilitate adoption and uptake of relevant
policies, guidelines and standards on the usage of blood components as
developed by the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services.
- Promote and facilitate adherence to best
practice in all aspects of transfusion practice including identification
and administration of blood and blood products, and proper identification
of sample.
- Support maintenance and functionality of the
blood cold chain system at the designated sites.
- Support hospital transfusion committees in
investigating all reports of transfusion reactions/incidents and reporting
of adverse blood transfusion reactions.
- Initiate, develop and provide technical
assistance in implementation of haemovigilance quality improvement plans
to strengthen appropriate handling, transportation, utilization and
inventory of blood at designated health facilities.
- Support strengthening and maintenance of good
interdisciplinary working relationships between laboratory and clinical
staff.
- Enhance capacity and functionality of Hospital
Transfusion Committees.
- Supports strengthening of Quality Management
Systems (QMS) in designated sites ensuring QA/QC/EQC systems are
functional.
- Support utilization of data for enhanced
service coverage through supporting implementation of a data demand and
information use framework.
- Provide mentorship/ coaching on improving
functionality of manual and electronic management information systems such
as Blood Established Computerized system (BECs) to enhance utility of data
in decision making.
- Support strengthening of biosafety, infection
control, occupational health and safety and medical waste management in
the speciality.
- Represent the project at local, regional and
national and meetings as required.
- Assist in formulation of quarterly progress
report in relation to the speciality.
Required Qualifications
- Relevant Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in
biomedical and or health sciences.
- Individuals with a diploma in medical
laboratory coupled with significant work experience in the specialty may
be considered.
- Must demonstrate depth and breadth of
experience in Blood Transfusion Services.
- Awareness of current and emerging haemovigilance
strategies and policies in relation to the Blood Transfusion Practice
- At least five (5) years’ experience in
supporting strengthening of haemovigilance practice.
- Ability to work independently, under pressure
and to adhere to set deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to work with various
government institutions, counties and local partners.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and
report writing skills.
Desired Skills
- Ability to work independently, under pressure
while at the same time adhering to strict deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication
skills
- Excellent analytical skills and problem
solving skills.
- Innovative with a high degree of initiative
- Organizational skills
- Excellent Leadership & Presentation skills
Vacancy: Laboratory Specialist - Molecular
Location: Nairobi
Proposed Start Date: Immediately
Position Summary: Under the supervision of Senior Technical Advisor,
Laboratory Specialist-molecular will be responsible for providing technical
leadership, training and mentorship on laboratory service delivery and quality
management system for the National Public Health Laboratory reference
labs.
He/she will be expected to ensure
effective service delivery on key HIV related tests such as viral load and
early infant diagnosis in addition to facilitating attainment and or
maintenance of accreditation status (ISO15189 and ISO17043) for the reference
labs.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership in performing PCR
testing for various pathogens, including; Viral, Bacterial, protozoa,
parasitic and other infectious agents.
- Support laboratory management for samples
including specimen logging, procurement, equipment management, inventory
management and sample transportation.
- Support in formulation/review of standard
operating protocols and sample handling protocols as may be required.
- Initiate and support tracking of laboratory
quality indicators for sample management and compile reports for
intervention
- Support strengthening of sample
repository/archiving systems for the national reference labs
- Facilitate ISO 15189 accreditation for the
National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL)
- Facilitate accreditation (ISO 17043) for
National HIV Reference Laboratory (NHRL) Rapid HIV Test Proficiency
Testing
- Support maintenance of accreditation status
for the National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL) and National HIV Reference
Laboratory (NHRL)
- Facilitate the national reference laboratories
enhance performance of EQA specific standards.
- Support integration initiatives of EQA tests
(framework, networks, notification, information)
- Working closely with the national office,
support coordination of equipment maintenance and calibration with the
regions.
- Support strengthening of biosafety, infection
control, occupational health and safety and medical waste management
practices in the reference labs.
- Support utilization of data for enhanced
service coverage and quality improvement.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Medical
Laboratory sciences or Biomedical Sciences or other relevant field from a
recognized University.
- Individuals with a masters and or PHD in
Molecular biology/genetics will have an added advantage
- Must have clear understanding of molecular
testing in relation to HIV viral load, early infant diagnosis.
- Must have hand-on experience with conventional
and real-time PCR techniques.
- Demonstrated experience with Laboratory
Information Systems and Laboratory Quality Management Systems.
- Experience of contribution to QMS in an ISO
15189 accredited Laboratory is an added advantage
Desired Skills
- Ability to work independently, under pressure
while at the same time adhering to strict deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication
skills
- Excellent analytical skills and problem
solving skills.
- Innovative with a high degree of initiative
- Organizational skills
- Excellent Leadership & Presentation skills
How to Apply
If you meet the above qualifications,
you are requested to send your application and CV to hr@mgickenya.org by
January 27, 2016.
Candidates are required to quote the
title of the position being applied on the subject line of the email.
Only shortlisted candidate will be
contacted.
Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.
