AD-HOC Program Officer, Laboratory at Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria

Office/Department: Clinical Laboratory Services Department
Scheduled Work Times: Monday - Friday
Immediate Supervisor/Reports To: The Program Officer will report to the Senior Program Officer, Program Manager, Associate Director (AD) and Director Clinical Laboratory Services.

Summary/Overview

• IHVN has been the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund DR-TB Grant since June 2011 till date. The objectives of the grant include surveillance for Drug Resistant TB (DR-TB), support for treatment at health facilities and the community level.
• The AD-HOC Program Officer is to ensure pre-analytical and post-analytical phases of TB tests are carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Essential Functions
The  AD-HOC Program Officer should have the ability and expertise to:

• Undergo training and competency assessment according to laboratory requirements. Development and reviewing of checklist, procedures, manuals and training materials for TB Quality Assurance /Quality Control program.
• Participate in TB panel preparation.
• Participate in the preparation and review of Sites TB External Quality Assessment panel reports.
• Participate in the activation of TB laboratories.
• Facilitate trainings on HIV rapid testing/sputum smear microscopy, GeneXpert, TB culture, Drug Susceptibility Testing and LPA, for Medical Laboratory Scientists and other Laboratory personnel.
• Collate, review reports of the TB laboratories.
• Be involved in the TB logistics management.
• Monitor TB Reference and other supported laboratories.
• Participate in the diagnostics (smear microscopy, GeneXpert, TB culture, Drug Susceptibility Testing, Line Probe Assay) in the TB Reference laboratories.
• Provide appropriate technical support and mentoring to TB laboratories.
• Track investigation results from responsible laboratories to ensure that they are sent back to the state TB program or treatment centres within turnaround time.
• Ensure that electronic laboratory management information systems are functional and up-to-date is up to date at all levels (state, treatment centre & reference laboratory).
• Ensure pre-analytical and post-analytical phases of testing are carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures
• Liaise with other relevant laboratory staff to oversee the follow up investigations for all DR-TB patients in DR-TB treatment centres, ambulatory phase, community initiation phase  (including baseline Drug Susceptibility Testing for patients) and in the continuation phase across the country.
• Perform every other duty necessary for the successful implementation of the Global Fund programs and as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Education/Experience:
The AD-HOC Program Officer should have the following qualifications;

• A degree in Medical Laboratory Science (sub-specialty in Microbiology) registrable with MLSCN.
• 3 years’ working experience.
• Work experience in a TB laboratory or related field will be an added advantage.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must be willing to learn new skills, hardworking and dedicated.
• Demonstrate a cooperative attitude in relationships with co-workers and other personnel.
• Contribute to the laboratory’s Quality Management Systems (QMS) and quality control program by observing written policy and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality of patients, patient results and project operations.
• Experience in TB smear microscopy and GeneXpert MTB/RIF tests.
• Must be creative, proactive and be able to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be willing to learn new skills.
• Basic computer skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English (written/verbal).