Senior Technical Advisor, Laboratory at Society for Family Health (SFH)

Job Profile:

The STA Laboratory for the GC7 program is responsible for overseeing all laboratory operations related to HIV testing, diagnosis, monitoring, and research. This role involves managerial duties, ensuring the efficiency, accuracy, and quality of laboratory services within the GC7.

Key Responsibilities: 

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following functions:

Strategic Planning and Management:

• Develop and execute strategic plans for the laboratory in alignment with the objectives of the GC7.
• Ensure the management of resources across the GC7 states, including personnel, equipment, and supplies, to support efficient laboratory operations.

Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance:

• Maintain quality assurance programs specifically tailored to HIV testing, ensuring compliance with relevant national standards and regulations.
• Implement and oversee proficiency testing and external quality assessment schemes for HIV-related laboratory procedures.

Operational Oversight:

• Supervise and coordinate all laboratory activities related to HIV testing, viral load monitoring, CD4 count analysis, and other relevant assays.
• Ensure the accuracy, reliability, and timely delivery of laboratory results to support patient care and program objectives.

Staff Training and Development:

• Recruit, train, and manage laboratory staff, providing mentorship and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and facilitate training sessions to enhance staff competency in HIV laboratory procedures.

Research and Innovation:

• Collaborate with researchers and healthcare professionals to facilitate HIV-related research initiatives within the laboratory.
• Lead the development and validation of new laboratory techniques or assays relevant to HIV diagnosis and monitoring.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication:

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including HQ and state teams, program managers, and regulatory bodies, to ensure effective coordination and communication.
• Present laboratory findings, recommendations, and progress reports to key stakeholders within the HIV program.
• Attend meetings at both national and state level specifically for Laboratory

Qualifications/Experience:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in a relevant scientific field (e.g., microbiology, virology, immunology) with a focus on HIV/AIDS.
• 7-10 years’ post NYSC professional experience in Laboratory work.
• Substantial experience in laboratory management within HIV/AIDS programs, including staff supervision and resource management.

Skills and competencies: 

• Comprehensive knowledge of HIV testing methodologies, viral load measurement, and CD4 count analysis, along with expertise in quality assurance protocols.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities for effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in relevant software for data management and analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams