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Senior Technical Officer FIND

The incumbent is a senior member of the Laboratory Strengthening Team and a principal investigator of the Cooperative Agreement with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In 2008, FIND, through a collaboration with the Global Laboratory Initiative and the Global Drug Facility, received approval from UNITAID for a 5-year, $87 million project covering 27 countries to expand and accelerate access to new diagnostic technologies for TB. FIND’s role includes: i) negotiating with manufacturing partners to ensure the lowest possible prices for diagnostics; ii) ensuring that customer support mechanisms are in place; iii) sharing know-how on the use of new diagnostics gained through the product development process; iv) ensuring that long-term, on-site mentoring and support for technology transfer is in place in the recipient countries.

In September of 2010, the CDC awarded FIND a 5-year cooperative agreement to build global capacity for diagnostic testing of tuberculosis, malaria and HIV through laboratory strengthening and integration of services under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. FIND’s project approach involves leadership in discussions of laboratory service integration, developing national standardized monitoring and evaluation plans, reviewing past policies and strategic plans to identify needs and gaps, and creating timelines that pave the way forward.

In 2011, smaller 1-2 year grants were awarded to FIND aiming at innovative laboratory systems strengthening. Furthermore, work on the evaluation and demonstration of new diagnostic technologies at FIND will continue, including projects on diagnostics for TB, malaria and neglected diseases. FIND intends to play a key role in catalyzing and supporting the global health community in ensuring that laboratory networks are prepared for the introduction of new technologies.

Role and Responsibilities:

• As PI, coordinate the FIND-CDC Cooperative agreement activities including communication with CDC headquarters, country offices, employees, stakeholders and partners; strategic planning; forecasting; budgeting; laboratory strengthening; monitoring and evaluation.
• Work closely with Chief Medical Officer and Head of Program in providing direction and oversight for technical aspects of TB downstream projects.
• Provide technical expert support for new diagnostics field implementation related activities, such as training, monitoring, EQA, assessment of performance indicators, development of new diagnostic algorithms.
• Conduct laboratory assessments with the GLI to identify the needs and plan for needed improvements in laboratory infrastructure, biosafety systems, human resources, quality assurance systems, and other support systems so that laboratories will be prepared for the uptake of the diagnostic instruments and supplies that will be procured with UNITAID (or other) support.
• In collaboration with the CEO, and CMO, help to mobilize resources from partners to provide support in these areas.
• Participate in the strategic goal setting for FIND laboratory strengthening unit.
• Participate in meetings and conference.

Profile:

• Holder of a relevant degree with a minimum of 3 years experience in managing teams and projects.
• Sound knowledge of and experience in mycobacteriology, complemented by demonstrated knowledge of TB control and experience in public health strategies.
• Relevant experience in a mycobacteriology laboratory with knowledge of laboratory quality management systems and in-depth knowledge of disease-burden, resource-constrained countries and organization/function of national TB programmes.
• SLMTA experience, ideally TOT level.
• Relevant working experience in low and middle income countries, preferably in the area of laboratory systems strengthening and capacity building.
• Experienced in working with cross-functional teams.
• Diplomatic and constructive and with sound judgment.
• Experience interacting with countries and health officials within a framework of the multi-country projects.
• Experience in working with or for CDC.
• Interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills will allow you to collaborate efficiently with different departments, different countries and cultures.
• Team oriented.
• Flexibility to produce high quality, accurate outputs under pressure and to deadlines.
• English fluent, French or any other language an asset.
• Experience with all important Microsoft softwares.

Job Email id: rossana.gambin(at)finddiagnostics.org