ICAP Laboratory Advisor

ICAP Columbia University is a President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funded programme under the Mailman School of Public Heath – ICAP, Columbia University supporting the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in providing resources and technical assistance to expand and enhance TB/HIV care and treatment programmes in Lesotho.

Laboratory Advisor
Maseru, Lesotho

Reporting to the Clinical Team Leader and under the supervision of the ICAP, Columbia University in Lesotho Clinical Team Leader, the Laboratory Advisor will be responsible for conceptualisation, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of ICAP’s TB laboratory activities in support of the MOHSW TB laboratory network in Lesotho. The Laboratory Advisor will work with ICAP-NY, MOHSW-Lesotho and CDC country teams to develop and implement the TB laboratory support plans.

Overall responsibilities: • Provide technical assistance to the MOHSW (NTP and laboratory department) for the development of strategic plans, national guidelines and policies to strengthen the TB laboratory network in Lesotho • Assist and work with the NTP and laboratory department to update the laboratory manuals, SOPs, QA and TB laboratory training curriculum • Offer technical support to the National TB Reference Laboratory (NRL) and 2 Regional Laboratories to assist them with the organisation and management of the TB microscopy and culture network • Provide technical and logistical assistance in establishing/upgrading/rehabilitating/staffing new microscopy centres required to implement and support the DOTS expansion strategy in Lesotho • Support the NTP/ laboratory department with the rollout of GeneXpert TB diagnosis in line with the MOHSW rollout plan in Lesotho • Provide assistance to the NTP/laboratory department in the dissemination and training on standardised guidelines, SOPs, quality assurance, supervision, safety and laboratory commodity and information management systems.

Specific responsibilities: • Provide technical assistance to the Laboratory Department of the MOHSW and the NRL to strengthen organisational, management and quality assurance of TB laboratory diagnostic services, including sputum smear microscopy, culture and molecular tests • Provide technical assistance and guidance to the NTP/TB laboratory department for the monitoring and evaluation of TB laboratory activities throughout Lesotho • Support the review and implementation of national TB laboratory guidelines, manuals, and SOPs • Support quality assurance of TB diagnostic services including sputum smear microscopy, culture and molecular tests (GeneXpert and LPA) services at the National TB laboratory and its network laboratories • Support the NTP/laboratory department to strengthen the EQA system and provide technical support in ensuring effective supervision of TB diagnostic laboratories at all levels • Facilitate training and mentorship of laboratory technologists and microscopists at peripheral facilities on SOPs, safety and QA guidelines of TB smear microscopy and GeneXpert • Provide technical support to the NTP laboratory department for the successful implementation of the GeneXpert rollout plan • Prepare work plans and provide regular activity reports on the TB laboratory support activities.

Requirements: Qualifications: • Master’s degree in medical Microbiology, Biomedical Science or a relevant related field • Master’s in public health would be considered a plus. Experience: • Extensive knowledge of and experience in managing clinical and public health laboratories in African countries, and knowledge and experience of the systems required to ensure sustainability of services • At least 5 years’ post-qualification experience, 2 of which should have been spent in a specialised TB culture facility, according to international standards • Extensive experience in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of laboratory programmes in a developing world setting • Experience in offering technical assistance to the Ministry of Health, including the development of strategic plans, guidelines and policies, laboratory capacity building and supervision • Familiarity with and experience in implementing local and national laboratory quality assurance systems for TB microscopy and TB culture • Practical laboratory experience, specifically in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of tuberculosis • Familiarity with manual and automated TB culture and drug sensitivity testing systems and molecular tests for infectious diseases • Knowledge of new TB diagnostic technologies and their likely applicability in developing countries • Understanding of the role of the laboratory in TB DOTS, PMDT and TB/HIV programmes in developing countries. Skills and abilities: • Demonstrated organisational, managerial and supervisory skills and abilities; sound judgment, and high ethical standards; flexible and able to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines • Demonstrated capacity to work in a variety of cultural settings, complex environments and fragile states • Proven ability to build strong relationships, to work well independently and as part of a team, and to incorporate views of other disciplines into his/her work • Fluent verbal and written communication in English is a requirement, while the ability to speak Sesotho would be a plus • Computer skills in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint • Willingness and ability to travel within Lesotho up to 80% of his/her time • Willingness and availability to relocate to Maseru, Lesotho for the period of the contract, if applicable.

Compensation/benefits: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Please forward your recent CV with a covering letter on or before the closing date to the Human Resources Officer, ICAP Lesotho, 3rd Floor, Christie House, Maseru 100, Lesotho, alternatively apply online.

Closing date: 3 February 2012

Lesotho nationals with the ability to communicate (both verbally and in writing) in English are especially encouraged to apply.

ICAP Columbia University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, colour, sex, gender, religion, creed, national and ethnic origin, age, citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran, or any other legally protected status.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.