Innovations for Poverty Action
WASH Benefits Project
Position: Senior Field Officer - Laboratory
Deadline to Apply: 20th
January 2016
Start Date: As soon as possible
Location: Kakamega and Bungoma
About Innovations for Poverty Action: is
a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and promoting effective
solutions to global poverty problems.
In close partnership with decision
makers -- the policymakers, practitioners, investors, and donors working with
the poor around the world -- IPA designs and evaluates potential solutions to
poverty problems using randomized evaluations, the most rigorous evaluation
method available.
We also mobilize and support these
decision makers to use these solutions to build better programs and policies at
scale.
About the Project: Innovations for Poverty Action seeks qualified applicant for the position of a Senior Field officer for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Benefits Project.
The Project is a five year study to
evaluate the health benefits of sanitation, hygiene, household water treatment
and nutrition, using a large-scale, randomized evaluation that is taking place
in Western province.
We are currently seeking Senior Field
Officers to complete key lab related activities of the WASH benefits project.
The Senior Field Officer will be based in the Western region, and will be
required to work in the laboratory.
He/she will work closely with fellow
Senior Field Officers and with the WASH Benefits laboratory team, including
Associate Field Managers, Research Associates (RA’s), and the Senior Research
Associate.
The Senior Field officer will spend
approximately 100% of his/her time in the Laboratory.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Successfully perform Kato Katz testing to
detect soil transmitted helminthes on all stool samples received
- Aliquoting stool samples for long term
storage.
- Barcoding stool and blood spot samples;
logging samples received at the lab.
- Assist with set-up of / maintenance of lab
space and respect the shared lab space
- Observe sterile technique when performing
analyses
- Keep track of supplies and prompting the
supervisors on those that need to be replenished
- Complete daily logs of samples processed and
results from assays
- Regularly assist with preparations of supplies
for field teams (e.g. packing and cleaning field coolers)
- Clean apparatus used during sample analysis
- Ensure proper storage and handling of
laboratory equipment
- Clearly communicate issues to the Associate
field manager, Lab Research Associate and Senior Research Associate
- Any other duties assigned by the Associate
field manager
General
- Work schedule will include working from Tuesdays
to Saturday from 11am-8pm.
- Working later hours (after 8pm) may be
required based on field sample collection schedules.
- Prompt arrival to work.
- Completion of scheduled activities each day in
a timely manner.
- Maintaining high standard of professional integrity
in all activities.
- Observe quality control and quality assurance
measures during sample processing.
- Successfully complete all tasks assigned by
the WASH Benefits management team.
- Knowledge of assigned tasks and delivery
according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Ability to work with minimal supervision
- Team player - interacts well with colleagues
and offers support in the field and in the office
- Maintain professional relationships with IPA
and hospital staff
- Responsible - takes up responsibilities, shows
initiative in solving issues and reports challenges to supervisor.
Qualifications:
Required
- Previous experience analyzing stool samples
for soil transmitted helminths using the Kato Katz technique required
- At least 2 years’ experience working in a lab
setting
- Bachelor’s degree or a diploma in a laboratory
specific training (biomedical science, applied biology, laboratory
technology)
- Certified by the Kenya Medical Laboratory
Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB) as a qualified laboratory
technician
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft
word
- Excellent oral and written communication
skills in both English and Kiswahili.
How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter and detailed CV, 3 references, daytime phone number(s), and email address.
Your CV should include your scores or
grades and other measures of academic achievement, and details about any
relevant work experience.
Applications must be submitted ONLY by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org , please ensure that the subject line reads: “Senior Field Officer-Laboratory” REF NO. Wash Benefits: 2016-01-02.
Applications must be submitted ONLY by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org , please ensure that the subject line reads: “Senior Field Officer-Laboratory” REF NO. Wash Benefits: 2016-01-02.
Only short-listed candidates will be
contacted by email for an interview.
Applicants are encouraged to apply
early, as applications will be reviewed on a Rolling Basis.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Senior Field Officer-Laboratory. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org.