ICAP at Columbia University

Job description: HIV Case Surveillance Lab Advisor for SNNPR and Sidama Region

Number of positions: 1

Duty station: Hawassa, SNNPR 

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the guidance of the ICAP Regional Director, the HIV CS laboratory advisor supports and coordinates the design and implementation of the HIV-1 rapid test for recent infection at CS implementing Health facilities. The incumbent will build regional laboratories capacity for laboratory quality assurance to facilitate effective data use for decision-making.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The HIV CS laboratory Advisor will have the following responsibilities:

• Provide technical assistance at the regional level to rollout HIV recency testing.
• Support the establishment/strengthening of HIV recency testing quality assurance activities in close collaboration with Regional Referral Laboratories (RRLs).
• Closely work with ICAP CS officers, regional team, and advisors to improve the quality of HIV recency testing across CS implementing health facilities.
• Support health facilities to increase access to HIV recency testing, proper documentation, and a regular reporting system. 
• Provide technical assistance to the Regional Referral Laboratory (RRLs) in developing/updating different guidelines, registers, working formats, monitoring and evaluation indicators.
• Organize and provide/facilitate HIV recency testing TOT/ basic training for health facilities in collaboration with the RRLs and EPHI.
• Provide technical support to RRLs/EPHI in the preparation of panels for IQC/EQA, distribution, and feedback provision.
• Facilitate and support the revision, printing, distribution, and proper utilization of HIV recency testing SOPs, different formats, and registers.
• Support RHBs/RRL to integrate recency testing with the existing Regional External Quality Assessment Scheme (REQAS).
• Provides technical support for implementation of International/ National External Quality Assessment Scheme (IEQAS/NEQAS) and Regional External Quality Assessment Scheme (REQAS) in the regions.
• Provide technical support and facilitate the implementation of Point of Care (POC) recency testing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and certification programs.
• Coordinate and provide technical assistance in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of HIV regency testing at CU ICAP supported health facilities.
• Participate in the regional/national TWG and performance review meetings.
• Participate in health facility mentoring, joint supportive supervision with RHBs and RRLs. 
• Prepare and evaluate annual work plan with targeted benchmark indicators and evaluate them on regular basis.
• Represent ICAP-Ethiopia in different forums when assigned by the supervisor
• Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor

Job Requirements

• MSc degree in laboratory science obtained from a recognized university
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in country, including laboratory support to HIV program
• Has TOT/ basic training on rapid HIV testing, rapid HIV recency testing is advantageous, EID/VL testing, LQMS, SLMTA, and PT preparation and interpretation, etc.
• Experience in training, mentoring, organizing, and conducting related training.
• Experience in the development of national/ regional documents related to specimen referral, testing, and laboratory accreditation process
• Excellent interpersonal and coordination skills
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Computer skills (MS Office, power point, excel, SPSS, and other commonly used statistical packages)
• Able to spend more than 75% of the time at RRLs and health facilities

How to Apply

Only online applications are received

Click here to apply

NB – Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing date for receiving applications is – November 23, 2021