Laboratory Specialist at the Management Sciences for Health (MSH)

Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Laboratory Specialist

Job ID: 13-10548
Location: Zamfara
Group/Office: PDG (Program Delivery Group)
Dept/Unit: PDGGEN – Program Delivery Group
Project/Program: A512 – Nigeria CaTSS
Reports To: Regional State Team Leader

Overview

The objective of the Laboratory Systems Specialist is to provide technical support on leadership of the Care And Treatment for Sustained Support (CaTSS) laboratory program in the state in a manner that strategically support the maintenance and uninterrupted delivery of quality HIV/AIDS and TB care and treatment services integrated into the host country health system, through technical assistance to be provided in close collaboration with the Government of Nigeria (GoN) at the state, and local government levels in five President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) – sustained response states

Specific Responsibilities

The Laboratory Systems Specialist will be required to support the laboratory systems for sustaining patient-centered care and treatment services for HIV/AIDS and TB. This will involve innovative, evidence-based, state-specific, and cost effective technical assistance partnership approach that will allow state and local governments to increasingly assume overall HIV and TB responsibilities. S(he) will be responsible for strengthening laboratory systems in line with MSH broader health systems focus.
In liaison with the Country Office Laboratory Team, S(he) ensure all MSH-supported laboratories in the State provide quality laboratory services throughout the year by ensuring that all lab equipment is functional at all time and maintaining zero-stock out time for all reagents and RTKs.
Establish strong collaboration with the Laboratory Directorate in the SMOH, State Hospital Management Board/Bureau for increased state government ownership and funding for laboratory system improvements that leads to sustainability, starting with the state governments setting goals and benchmarks with CaTSS, co-designing, and then co-developing and co-monitoring laboratory activities with the project and gradually taking responsibility.
Specifically support the SMOH, State Laboratory Quality Management Task Teams and health facilities and continuous quality improvement programs evidenced by proportion of state laboratories that are registered by the MLSCN and prepared towards attaining national accreditation by the MLSCN
Provide capacity building on basic laboratory management, including planning, budgeting, and integration of laboratory activities.
Ensure health facility laboratories implement GoN-approved diagnostic protocols, quality control procedures, significant biosafety and biosecurity practices.
Ensure that all MSH-supported laboratories carry out quality assurance functions, including but not limited to IQA, EQA and PT activities, the availability of quality documents and records.
Take programmatic responsibility for the functioning of the laboratory information system (LIS) whether paper or electronic at the state level as well as work closely with State Supply Chain Management Specialists to ensure prompt submission of reports from health facilities as required by PEPFAR, MOH and MSH (monthly, quarterly, and as required).
Contribute to development of lessons learned from programs and projects related to laboratory management of HIV/AIDS.
Represent MSH on issues of laboratory management of HIV/AIDS at the state level.

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum of B.MLS/B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Science
Post-graduate degree in public health/health science is preferable
Must be registered with Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) and licensed to practice in Nigeria
Minimum of 4 years’ experience in laboratory diagnosis of AIDS, tuberculosis and other opportunistic infections and laboratory monitoring of clinical status of people living with HIV essential
Significant expertise in laboratory Quality Management Systems
Familiarity with local and WHO/AFRO Accreditation process is a plus
Must be organized
Must be solution and objective-oriented
A methodical individual with strong motivation for service, who enjoys working in a team environment
Ability to work independently with excellent computer and analytical skills.
Ability to work under pressure, flexible and open to extra working hours if necessary
Very good negotiation and communication skills and ability to express views and ideas
Strong written and oral presentation skills in English
Significant expertise in laboratory Quality Management Systems
Familiarity with local and WHO/AFRO Accreditation process is a plus
Demonstrated ability to analyze data, demonstrated experience in writing reports on key performance indicators and making presentations