Laboratory Associate Director at Friends for Global Health Initiative in Nigeria (FGHiN)

Overall Job Function

• Reporting primarily to the FGHiN Chief Technical Officer and secondarily to the Project Principal Investigator (P1), the Laboratory Associate Director will be responsible for overseeing the laboratory component of the project at sites across the 4 implementing states.
• The Laboratory Associate Director will also work closelywith the CDC, Ministry of Health, NACA, the lab sub awardees and relevant stakeholders to ensure that laboratory samples are correctly collected, processed, and transported and that results are returned in a timely manner as well as achieving best practice Quality Management Systems across all supported labs.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the implementation of all lab related aspects of the SUCCESS project
• Set up a Lab team, train, coordinate and supervise this team of laboratory officers, as needed
• Review the development and implementation of QAIQC procedures for HIV rapid testing, and various test panels supported by the program via Rapid HIV testing, CD4 analysis using PARTEC, Cyfiow, BD FACS Count platforms, PCR machines (for early infant diagnosis and viral load testing - Roche COBAS Ampliprep, TACMAN 48/%) conducted by the laboratory subcontractor in the project
• Review the development and implementation of QAIQC procedures for the collection, processing storage and transportation of other project related lab specimens from supported Labs to HIV special Lab at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria- HIV RNA, and HIV DNA PCR for EID and Viral Load,
• Ensure laboratory specimen data are correctly captured in the HIVCARE2 database and assist with routine data analysis;
• Work closely with the Clinical Services
• Department with the interpretation of laboratory results from the project and provide feedback on ways to improve/streamline lab procedures and systems and improve quality of clinical care;
• Assist the FGHiN supported teams to develop strategies to ensure timely reporting of results to respective sites for clinical decision making and appropriate interventions;
• Review weekly/fortnightly laboratory reports particularly Viral load and EID results of FGHiN supported sites and assist the Chief Technical
• Officer with preparing regular progress reports;
• Represent FGHIN in discussions with USG lab Technical WG, National stakeholders and assess ways in which national capacity to process samples can be developed and strengthened;
• Liaise with other technical staff in FGHiN Headquarters (HQs), and at supported States.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technology, Biomedical Sciences or other relevant fields with full and up to date registration with ML Council of Nigeria.

Preferred Experience and Other Skills

• 5+ years of experience managing a clinical or research laboratory with focus on HIV related analysis;
• 3 or more years as a team leader managing other Laboratory staff, particularly in a PEPFAR supported advanced lab.
• Extensive skills and expertise with various PEPFAR supported lab test panels e.g. CD4, (PARTEC & BD FACS; HIV RNAIDNA PCR - ROCHE
• Extensive knowledge and experience in design, implementation and management of laboratory services in HIV programs
• Knowledge/experience of procurement procedures and equipment/supply/stock tracking and inventory
• Experience with lab-related data management systems
• High level of proficiency in relevant computer applications, particularly Excel
• Excellent interpersonal. Management and communication skills.

Travel Requirements

• May require periodic trips to partner sites, conferences and/or off site meetings within Nigeria or as specified by project fonder (requiring overnight stay of up 5 days or more);