Laboratory Manager at International Organization for Migration - IOM

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

• Organize laboratory services and their structure for efficient and optimal service delivery adapting to prevailing local conditions, levels of expertise and available technology.
• Certify that facilities and bio-safety measures in the laboratory/lies meet international standards and country requirements; by actively participating in planning and designing of new or upgrading existing facilities.
• Guarantee that standards of laboratory services correspond to HAPs and other programmes or project requirements via keeping Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) up to date and annual review.
• Ensure high quality with regards to international standards in all aspects of service delivery via internal quality control and organizing and facilitating in external quality assessment.
• Verify optimum staffing levels for planned workload. Recruit, train, supervise and assess laboratory staff. Ensure staff development and continuous training needs for staff.
• Contribute in annual HAP activities planning and budget preparation related to laboratory services.
• Guarantee that the equipment and consumables are sufficient for the anticipated workload. Plan and organize procurement, delivery, installation, servicing and operation of all laboratory equipment and optimal expenditure of consumables.
• Validate system of organized record keeping and information management for timely delivery of results, data collection, analysis and reporting for laboratory monitoring and facilitation to operational research.
• Liaise on laboratory related topics with national laboratories and laboratories in other countries, IOM Departments and national relevant entities.
• Implement and maintain the system of service improvement with available long-term work plan addressing at least laboratory assessment, facilities and safety, process control, information management and customer service.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Medical (Clinical) Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years’ relevant experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with four years relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Laboratory experience in a busy institution, preferably in a mycobacteriology laboratory;
• Proven experience in the production of LQMS documentation, and maintenance of a document control system;
• Demonstrated experience as a laboratory educator and promoting laboratory best practices;
• Experience in laboratory management, including staff supervision, budget management, and quality control;
• Experience with laboratory accreditation processes (ISO 15189:2012 and/or ISO 15189:2022) is desirable;
• Excellent and proven Verbal/Written Communication including drafting high-quality concept notes, project proposals, and donor reports; and,
• Experience or training in data analysis, public health or Monitoring & Evaluation is highly desirable.

Skills

• In-depth knowledge of the ISO 15189:2022 standard and Certification in performance of laboratory audits;
• Computer literate, with a deep understanding of accurate data collection and analysis to monitor and continuously improve our laboratory services and performance;
• Excellent and proven Verbal/Written Communication including drafting standard operating procedures, guidelines, and reports;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with laboratory staff and other stakeholders;
• Proven ability to effectively apply and transfer relevant technical knowledge and practices to personnel and laboratory operations;
• Good organizational and planning skills, Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Capacity to work effectively in high pressure and rapidly changing environment.