Technical Advisor

Job Description

• Provide technical expertise and assistance in the planning, implementing, and monitoring of high-quality laboratory services within the ECEWS ACE 5 project.
• Provide technical support and develop quality policies, quality tools, SOPs and recommendations related to the implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance of laboratory services for HIV/AIDS, opportunistic OI and in collaboration with other technical staff within the ECEWS ACE 5 Project.
• Provide technical assistance in capacity building for laboratory services at health facilities and other settings as appropriate.
• Collaborate with partners and relevant stakeholders at all levels to implement strategies aimed at sustaining quality Laboratory service and improving service delivery at the health facilities.
• Carry out quality control functions/activities of the labs, including quality control inspections schedules and the collection of quality control records while ensuring the availability of quality records documents.
• Review and monitor QA and QC activities of the Laboratory in order to determine conformance with established policies, national regulations, or accreditation requirements, coordinate Proficiency testing PT activities and ensure PT is being done for each specialty; explore other ways of testing evaluation in the absence of PT.
• Develop concept papers and research papers to improve and or extend existing laboratory activities.
• Remain informed on new findings in the field of laboratory technology that relate to HIV/AIDS, OI, malaria care and treatment by reviewing current literature, and drawing implications from research for program activities.
• With the guidance of the ECEWS Management, represent the project at relevant forums, meetings, conferences, discussions, etc. including interactions with the state and national officials, donors, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Recruitment Standard

• B.Sc in Laboratory sciences or related field with 7 - 9 years post national youth service experience and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in provision of laboratory support for HIV/AIDS. Or
• Master’s degree in laboratory sciences or related field with 5-7 years post national youth service experience and a minimum of 5 years experience in provision of laboratory support for HIV/AIDS.
• Knowledge of laboratory service and management issues related to the clinical management of HIV/AIDS, including ART, Opportunistic infection OI and malaria.
• Knowledge of health and development programs in developing countries in general and Nigeria specifically.
• Excellent working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the following categories of assays: HIV rapid and confirmatory testing, hematology, biochemistry, CD4/CD8, HIV viral load, HIV DNA qualitative test.
• Thorough knowledge of QA, QC and proficiency testing concepts; the ability to apply these concepts to resolve complex conditions in laboratory and administrative settings.
• Ability to work independently, manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
• Strong computer skills with competencies in MS Office Suite required.
• Ability to interact professionally in English and oversee the production of program reports.
• Certification of license to practice as a medical laboratory scientist is required.