Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS) has been awarded by the US Centres for Diseases Prevention and Control (CDC) funds to implement the Project ‘Strengthening the Quality, Accessibility, and Sustainability of the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) in United Republic of Tanzania under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The goal of the project is empowering the National Health Laboratory System (NHLS) in the country to achieve and monitor progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals.
THPS will support national lab systems strengthening through this five-year award in the following key areas:
- Implementation of continuous quality improvement (CQI) on HIV rapid testing to increase access and improve the quality of HIV rapid testing at all levels.
- Increase access to HIV early infant diagnosis (EID) and TB testing at all levels.
- Increase availability and use of laboratory data to inform improved patient management, healthcare provision, programs and policy decision making.
- Implementation and provision of technical assistance (TA) on establishing a Laboratory Information System (LIS) and using laboratory generated data in all laboratories.
THPS is currently seeking highly experienced, committed and motivated Tanzanians to fill in the following positions:
POSITION TITLE: Senior Technical Advisor Laboratory Services (1 position)
REPORTS TO: Technical Director (THPS)
LOCATION: Central Office Dar es Salaam (frequent field travel up to 75%)
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:
S/he is the technical lead for laboratory services for the C&T Project within THPS. Will also provide technical support and backup to the NHLS Project Coordinator in planning and implementation of the NHLS specific strategies towards attaining quality, accessibility and sustainable laboratory services and ensuring timely THPS work plans deliverables.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide technical assistance (TA) to supported sites including regular site level joint systematic supportive supervision and mentorship to ensure smooth implementation of laboratory services in THPS supported SNUs.
- Provide support in the planning and implementation of NHLS Project as needed to leverage available laboratory skills within THPS to maximize performance of THPS projects.
- Quantify and specify laboratory commodity needs for THPS support in scaling up HIV and TB services in THPS supported sites.
- Provide technical leadership within THPS and at national level in the development /review of laboratory tools; laboratory standards, SOPs, job aids, laboratory data management tools (registers, log books and sample referral forms) as needed based on national and approved international guidelines and standards to improve HIV, EID and TB diagnostic services.
- Provide leadership in the execution of national level laboratory supported activities, through directly supervising the National HVL and EID Coordinators who are seconded to the MOHCDGEC by THPS
- Provide technical assistance on HIV and TB diagnostics; HIV viral load and early infant diagnosis (EID), HIV Rapid Tests, HIV and rapid TB diagnosis and drug resistance testing including Genotyping.
- Provide technical assistance to MoHCDGEC in evaluation and validation new diagnostics and technologies related to scaling up accessible laboratory services in the country.
- Participate in national laboratory TWGs
- Perform other Project duties as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences or equivalent, Master’s degree is an added advantage.
- Registration certificate issued by the Biomedical Laboratory Association of Tanzania.
- At least 5 years of experience working in a medical diagnostic laboratory setting that included HIV and TB testing services
- Demonstrated experience and understanding the systems of MoHCDGEC in Tanzania.
- Demonstrated knowledge and successful experience of procurement procedures and equipment/supply/stock tracking and inventory
- Knowledge in Laboratory Quality Assurance, and strong experience of instituting good laboratory practice
- Experience with laboratory automated platforms in particular: GeneXpert; Haematology, HIV viral load and CD4.
- Experience with laboratory information systems is an important advantage
- Operational research experience is an advantage;
- Supervisory, training, management and monitoring skills of other laboratory staff
- Extensive experience in the general management of a laboratory
- Excellent verbal and written skills in English
BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
Good interpersonal communication
Ability to work as part of THPS team and independently
High level of proficiency in relevant computer applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
How to apply:
Interested applicants should send an email to hr.thps@gmail.com attaching application cover letter one page maximum and CV four pages maximum by April 16 th 2018 with a subject line for example: Sub Grants Officer or Administrative Officer Only short listed applicants will be contacted. Please do not attach any certificates when submitting online.
THPS is an equal opportunity employer; Women, People Living with HIV/AIDS and People with Disability are encouraged to apply.
This announcement is also available on THPS Official Website
Source: The Guardian April 09, 2018
