Zonal Laboratory Specialist at Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation Nigeria (MGIC)

Locations: Zonal Locations, Nigeria
Duration: One year with the possibility of renewal subject the availability of funds.

Description

• The Organization is seeking qualified candidates to work on its recent award on "the Nigeria Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS), a Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) Survey that was developed to enable countries obtain HIV-specific indicators, including the impact of the expansion of HIV prevention and treatment programs to facilitate effective monitoring of national HIV programs.

Job Summary

• Through a contract with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), implements The Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).
• The NAIlS program assists Nigeria to implement household-based surveys in the areas of HIV/AIDS and HepB & C population based survey.
• The NAIIS program seeks to fill a Zonal Laboratory Specialist position to support the survey. The position is based in zonal locations.

Key Responsibilities

• The Laboratory specialist will be responsible for providing technical assistance to the NAIIS
• Program on the measurement of biomarkers in population-based surveys and for the management of biomarker measurement in individual surveys together with the NAIIS survey team.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
They include, but are not limited to:

• Training of field staff on data collection tools, blood and other sample collection procedures; preparation of dried blood spot; monitoring and supervision of field work; preparation of manuals, SOPs and other training documents
• Training of field staff on the use and application of rapid diagnostic tests for HIV, HepB Ag & HepC Ag and point-of-care devices for the measurement of CD4.
• Conducting assessments of host country laboratories to determine the labs' capacity to carry out CD4, viral load and HIV resistance testing for the NAIIS survey
• Training and supervision of in-country laboratories to conduct testing to support data collection in population-based surveys
• Testing will include but is not limited to HIV, HepBAg, Hep C Ag, CD4, ARV metabolites, HIV resistance testing.
• Participating in other NAIIS activities, e.g., assisting in developing questionnaires and modules, training curriculum, conducting further analysis studies, preparing/revising core manuals, preparing/reviewing biomarker sections of NAIIS reports, making presentations to CDC and other stakeholders
• The laboratory specialist position is a position that requires approximately 90% travel around the country. It is expected that the laboratory specialist will demonstrate a high level flexibility in performing the responsibilities of the position.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in a Biomedical Science.
• 8-10 years of experience, including at least 3-5 years of laboratory experience conducting assays for the diagnosis of HIV and other infectious diseases
• An experience with population survey will an added advantage

Required Skills:

• In depth knowledge and practical experience performing enzyme immunoassays, specimen management and data management.
• Familiarity with basic molecular techniques.
• Experience with viral load testing and other nucleic acid tests
• Experience or knowledge of CD4 enumeration, using point-of-care testing and FACS assay
• Experience working with developing country institutions
• Experience performing Quality Assurance measures in all phases of biomedical testing
• Experience writing short technical reports
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in English required.

Work Skills:

• Ability to work for long hours
• Ability to give attention to details
• Ability to work with their hands and will need dexterity to work with small vials, test tubes,
• and delicate lab equipment.