OVERVIEW
The Laboratory Lead will responsible for the technical leadership and project direction for the laboratory components of a CDC-funded HIV project in South Sudan. The purpose of this project is to provide comprehensive and cost-effective technical support for the provision of quality HIV prevention, care, and treatment services; to develop and support human resources for health; and to improve on data systems for program monitoring and oversight at the county, state, and national levels in RSS. CDC South Sudan prioritizes working in collaboration with the MOH, GF, and other stakeholders to implement the following approaches:
i) expand HIV testing services (HTS) through high-yield testing approaches;
ii) improve access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) services to the general population (including pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBFW); iii) improve viral load coverage (VLC) and viral load suppression (VLS); and iv) advance the development of sustainable human resources for health in RSS.
The project will operate over a 5-year period. Responsibilities include providing leadership and technical guidance in the development and implementation of comprehensive and evidence-based prevention, care, support and treatment services within HIV and TB facilities and communities under the leadership of the Principal Investigator/Project Director, as well as annual phasing in of activities.
This position will provide guidance in achievement of all project objectives, and in collaboration with the project team and partners, support the design of service delivery, technical assistance and capacity building strategies, based on sound and current scientific evidence.
This position is contingent upon award from CDC. South Sudanese nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Leadership
- Prepare and oversee implementation of laboratory work plan in consultation with stakeholders
- Provide technical support to Jhpiego supported facilities on laboratory management
- Provide technical assistance/guidance on laboratory testing processes, infection prevention and control, and quality of HIV testing and HIV/TB care and treatment inclusive of viral load testing
- Development, pre-testing, implementation and review of laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be applied in HIV Care and Treatment services
- Ensures that Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures are maintained.
- Ensures proper documentation of all the specimen received, timely processing and that all required information is correctly entered in the data capturing system.
- Maintains accurate completed records of all specimens received, shipped, and stored on-site.
- Attend meetings as invited to give laboratory related project status updates to the study leads routinely
- Comply with ethics, confidentiality, and reporting requirements of IRBs.
- Conducting training and on-site mentorship for laboratory personnel
- Supporting laboratory sample transport networking in supported facilities
- Provide technical support for the purchase of laboratory equipment, reagents and controls
- Support commodity forecasting, quantification and redistribution/buffering in supported facilities in partnership with county teams
- Coordinate performance and documentation of daily internal quality control and participation in External Quality Assessment to Jhpiego supported facilities
- Support laboratory quality improvement processed leading to accreditation
- Establish and implement a system to ensure technical quality of project activities
- Actively participate in relevant technical advisory/working groups and professional forums representing Jhpiego
- Work closely with the Program Director on setting project priorities and directions, and responding to requests for support from local counterparts
- Work with M&E staff to design, implement a plan to track data/results related to laboratory management to inform adjustments in project implementation
- Collaborate with all local stakeholders and implementing partners, especially the BDF and other US and international implementing partners, to ensure that all activities conform to the requirements and regulations
- Document successes, lessons learned and challenges in implementation as well as reports of project activities and results to the project and donor, including routine quarterly and annual reports and other reporting requirements as requested
- Provide technical leadership to the development the project strategic plan, work plan, and project monitoring, in close collaboration with CDC and other USG implementing partners to ensure timely implementation and compliance to the requirements and regulations of the award.
Management:
- Supervise technical laboratory staff
- Manage technical contributions of sub-grantees, including providing scopes of work
- Maintain excellent relationships with MOH, CDC and in-country stakeholders and develop rapid responses to CDC/DC and Mission requests
- Work with partners and consultants as required
- Work closely with the PI on setting program priorities and directions, and responding to requests for support from local counterparts
- Work with Strategic Information Director and team, to design and implement a plan to track data/results at site, county and region level and monitor progress towards project targets and deliverables
- Provide technical leadership to the development of the project strategic plan, work plan, and program monitoring, in close collaboration with the MOH, CDC, and other stakeholders
- Ensure timely implementation of all program inputs including planning and implementing assessments, site strengthening, follow-up and supervision, advocacy, demand creation, policy support, capacity-building and M&E across program sites, in close collaboration with CDC, the MOH, and relevant stakeholders
- Assist in the preparation of donor reports and project reports, including technical reports and expenditure reports
- Oversee data collection, analysis and development of conclusions and recommendations to further strengthen program implementation
- Ensure availability of resources/facilitate the procurement of equipment and supplies required for project implementation
- Coordinate and monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of the work of short-term consultants as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- A Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Minimum 3-4 years’ experience in implementation of HIV related medical laboratory activities in a donor funded project
- Demonstrated experience with a mix of practical technical skills in HIV prevention, care and treatment necessary for strengthening service delivery at the regional, national, clinical and community-level
- Experience in supporting laboratory activities in a donor funded project
- Experience supervising teams and staff.
- Demonstrated competency in laboratory activities and laboratory accreditation processes
- Experience with Republic of South Sudan institutions and demonstrated understanding of the South Sudan healthcare system,
- Familiarity with USG’s administrative, management and reporting procedures and systems
- Competent in development and implementation of work plans, monitoring and evaluation activities and reports
- Must be able to prioritize in order to meet program and/or organizational objectives
- Proven track record managing a project team composed of several technical experts and fostering team work
- Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships with USG, host-country counterparts and representatives from other key stakeholders such as NGOs, CSOs, and the private sector
- Expertise in research to practice—identifying and adapting best practices to specific project contexts
- Proficiency in analysis, interpretation and visualization of data
- Attention to detail and accuracy in data management, analysis, and reporting
- Excellent verbal, written interpersonal and presentation skills in English
- Ability to travel nationally to project sites 40% of the time.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 7-8 years’ experience in implementation of HIV related medical laboratory activities in a donor funded project
- Experience living and working in South Sudan preferred.
Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.
Please apply at https://bit.ly/3Rbg29r
For more opportunities please visit www.jhpiego.org/careers
Applicants must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter, resume, and references.
For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org
Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.
Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
“Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.