Technical Officer, Laboratory Services at Heartland Alliance

Project Background

Heartland Alliance Ltd-Gte is currently implementing a USAID funded Accelerating Control for HIV Epidemic (ACE) Project in Lagos, Edo, and Bayelsa States. Implementation is targeted at promoting new and underutilized partnerships to accelerate the achievement of the HIV epidemic control in Nigeria through the delivery of high impact HIV prevention, care, and support services to general populations who are living with HIV and those at risk of contracting HIV.

The program is intended to provide evidence-based services that will deliver measurable results by addressing programmatic and systems barriers to epidemic control, including but not limited to, the following areas: HIV Case Finding and Linkage (HTS), Adult Care and Treatment, Pediatric/Adolescent Care and Treatment, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), Cervical cancer screening, TB/HIV Care, Laboratory, Health Systems Strengthening to Support Clinical Services, Expertise with the Private Sector and Operations and Implementation Research.

Reports to:  State Program Manager

Technical Reporting to Director, Laboratory Services

Person(s) Required:  Bayelsa (1), Edo(1), Lagos (1)

Job Summary

To provide overall technical guidance and support for state laboratory field staff to implement high quality HIV/AIDS and clinical care and support activities at the state level.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of laboratory technical assistance at HALG State level including capacity building, training and quality assurance services to State teams and Local Implementing partners.
• Contribute to development of lessons learned from programs and projects related to laboratory management of HIV/AIDS and liaise with AD-Lab to apply these lessons and modify existing program.
• Ensures that high quality of laboratory services is maintained at all HALG supported sites/centers within your jurisdiction.
• Coordinate the inventory management along with the supply chain specialist to ensure adequate stock and quality data is captured in the Bi-Monthly CRIRF
• Ensure the effective management of Viral Load samples and results return for efficient client management.
• Represent HALG on issues of laboratory management of HIV/AIDS at the state and regional level.
• Oversees laboratory services provision and ensures standard, and current practices are in place for maintaining high quality laboratory services and maximizing the use of all resources.
• Remain informed on current programs in the field of laboratory management of HIV/AIDS and related development fields by reviewing current literature and staying alert to any implication of such experience and research for department activities as outlined by the technical supervisor.
• Ensures compliance and implementation of laboratory protocols, and support other affiliated labs staff – Community Facilitators, Counsellor testers, Outreach Coordinators and Medics involved with the lab function.
• Performs quality control checks and maintenance for the machine in the site lab, and other laboratory tests performed within the labs.
• Participates in inventory control management/CRRF preparation for laboratory supplies and reagents for supported site.
• Participate in EQA, proficiency testing activities.
• Attend State level technical meetings.
• Performs other care, treatment and evaluation duties as assigned.
• Collation of laboratory monthly report from sites
• Collation of RTK utilization reports from sites.
• Facilitate and ensure routine PPM and routine service/maintenance on all equipment in the states of responsibilities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or competency required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Degree in Medical laboratory sciences from an accredited school.
• Valid Licence to practice as Medical Laboratory Scientist is mandatory.
• Minimum of three years of successful experience and ability to demonstrate thorough knowledge of the current principles and techniques surrounding the management of laboratory services.
• Experience of running/implementing public health programs preferably in the NGO context.
• Familiarity with standards and federal/state regulations affecting the laboratory and laboratory practices within a facility and field Locations.
• Very good understanding and working knowledge of the health and HIV program priorities.

Other Competencies:

• Time Management – Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time and complete projects in a fast-paced, changing environment with minimal supervision.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Change’s approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Cultural Sensitivity – Respects cultural environment in which person is working and does not act in a manner that is outwardly offensive to the local community.
• Non-discriminatory- Do not discriminate persons based on sexual orientation or gender identity, age, preferred jobs, or behavioral habits.

Language Skills:

• Excellent oral and written English communication skills.
• Knowledge of Local Language preferred.
• Demonstrated competency in public speaking.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems, Power Point.
• Other software routinely used by Heartland Alliance. 

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The employee will be required to co-locate with local partners usually in the same office.
• The employee is required to travel regularly to often insecure and limited resource environments.