Senior Technical Advisor - Laboratory Services @ FHI

Position Title

Senior Technical Advisor - Laboratory Services

Location

Akwa Ibom State

Supervisor

Associate Director, Laboratory Services

Basic Function

The Senior Technical Advisor-Laboratory services provide strategic and technical leadership to strengthen laboratory systems and services under the HIV, TB, and Malaria program through the Technical Quality Leadership and Accountability (TQLA) support mechanism. Working alongside the indigenous prime partner, the advisor ensures that laboratory services are aligned with national policies, WHO recommendations, and donor (PEPFAR/USDOS) requirements to improve access to quality-assured diagnostic services.

The position focuses on laboratory quality management systems, diagnostic network optimization, biosafety and biosecurity, laboratory accreditation, quality assurance, capacity strengthening, and data-driven continuous quality improvement while building sustainable institutional capacity within the indigenous prime.

Ensure milestones achievement as per contract.

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical oversight for laboratory components of HIV, TB, and Malaria programs in the designated zones for the Nigeria bilateral project Coordinate the design, planning and implementation of the laboratory component of HIV/AIDS care and treatment, in collaboration with state and community level project clinical staff, laboratory specialists and state and local agencies in Nigeria.
• Improve laboratory governance and leadership.
• Strengthening specimen transportation networks.
• Improve equipment management systems.
• Support laboratory supply chain management.
• Strengthen inventory management systems.
• Support laboratory information systems (LIS).
• Promote laboratory-clinical interface improvements.
• Support the indigenous prime to strengthen laboratory systems in line with national laboratory strategic plans.
• Ensure implementation of high-quality laboratory services across supported health facilities.
• Provide technical guidance for laboratory network strengthening and diagnostic optimization.
• Support implementation of innovative laboratory technologies and digital solutions.
• Provide technical assistance in capacity building for laboratory services at the designated states of activity implementation and other settings as appropriate
• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of laboratory Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Support laboratories in implementing ISO 15189 requirements and national quality standards.
• Strengthen internal quality control (IQC), external quality assessment (EQA), and proficiency testing programs.
• Support implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Guide laboratories through SLMTA/SLIPTA implementation and accreditation readiness.
• Promote continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives.
• Develop guidelines, tools and recommendations related to the implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance of laboratory services for TB care and treatment, malaria care and treatment and opportunistic infections (OI) in collaboration with technical staff within the project, and at national, state, and local agencies LEVEL in Nigeria
• Strengthen viral load testing systems. Improve Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) services.
• Support HIV rapid testing quality assurance.
• Strengthen CD4 and HIV diagnostic services where applicable.
• Strengthen GeneXpert services.
• Support TB culture and drug susceptibility testing where applicable.
• Improve TB specimen referral systems.
• Strengthen TB laboratory biosafety.
• Improve malaria microscopy quality assurance.
• Support malaria rapid diagnostic test quality systems.
• Strengthen malaria laboratory surveillance.
• Provide targeted technical assistance to improve laboratory performance.
• Support development and implementation of laboratory improvement plans.
• Monitor implementation of quality improvement interventions.
• Facilitate performance reviews using laboratory quality indicators.
• Strengthen accountability systems for laboratory service delivery.
• Ensure sustainability through institutional capacity strengthening.
• Mentor laboratory managers and laboratory personnel.
• Conduct competency assessments.
• Develop laboratory training curricula and job aids.
• Facilitate on-site mentoring and supportive supervision.
• Build capacity of indigenous prime staff to independently manage laboratory systems.
• Promote knowledge transfer and local ownership.
• Monitor laboratory performance indicators.
• Analyze laboratory quality data.
• Prepare technical reports for donors and government.
• Document best practices and lessons learned.
• Support operational research and implementation science activities.
• Utilize data for continuous quality improvement.
• Collaborate with Federal and State Ministries of Health.
• Coordinate with National Public Health Laboratory systems.
• Engage implementing partners and donors.
• Participate in technical working groups.
• Represent FHI 360 during laboratory technical meetings.
• Foster strong collaboration with the indigenous prime partner
• Develop concept papers and research papers to improve and or extend existing laboratory activities Support the Project Director in managing the FHI 360 Laboratory Services Department, defining strategies, goals, objectives and working plan, and monitoring their implementation
• Supervise and mentor other FHI30 field lab staff at state offices to improve and maintain high standards of performance in all their laboratory activities Play a key role in facilitating and maintaining complex collaborative lab programs with international partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• 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, CD4/CD8, HIV viral load, HIV DNA qualitative test, HIV viral resistance (genotype and phenotype).
• Good working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the microscopic identification and culturing of different TB species, and drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
• Experience in the management of laboratory services, particularly health facility-based services, including quality assurance systems, laboratory analysis, and interpretation and reporting techniques based on best practices, quality management practices and safe work practices
• Knowledge of laboratory service and management issues related to the clinical management of HIV/AIDS, including ART Knowledge of laboratory service and management issues related to mycobacterium. Drug resistance Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Knowledge of laboratory service and management issues related to Opportunistic infection (OI) and malaria Knowledge of District Health Information System (DHIS), ) and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is required
• Ability to work well with others and develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, project collaborators, subcontractors and consultants Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines Must be able to work independently, and as part of a management team Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding HIV infections Ability to represent FHI360 to donors, government officials and the NGO community.
• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English communication, including presentation and training skills Proven ability in supervising staff Well-developed computer skills
• Ability to travel within Nigeria 45% time.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Master’s degree in medical laboratory sciences, with over 12 years of relevant experience
• Or doctorate degree in laboratory sciences, with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience
• At least 7 years supporting HIV, TB, and/or Malaria laboratory programs.
• Certification/license to practice as a medical laboratory scientist is required
• Experience supporting donor-funded programs (PEPFAR, USDOS, CDC, Global Fund).
• Demonstrated experience implementing Quality Management Systems.
• Experience with ISO 15189 implementation.
• Experience supporting laboratory accreditation initiatives.
• Experience working with indigenous organizations and local capacity strengthening.
• Experience managing laboratory quality improvement projects.
• Proven experience in project development, planning and facilitating technical training.
• Familiarity with the Nigerian public sector health system and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with USDOS and PEPFAR programs is as advantage.

Safeguarding

FHI 360 is committed to provide a safe environment for all employees, beneficiaries and anyone contracted by FHI 360. This Includes taking measures to protecting vulnerable people from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by either FHI 360 employees or associated personnel. FHI 360 abides by child safeguarding principles. FHI 360’s Safeguarding Policies apply and flow out to all FHI 360 staff, board members, volunteers, and partner staff (subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and sub-recipients), regardless of the funding mechanism or amount of contract, agreement, or purchase order.

The expected hiring salary range for this role is indexed to USD 19,743 - 25,000 for annual gross salary (basic and allowances). When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay, and budget. For internal candidates, salary placement will also follow FHI 360’s current promotional increase guidelines.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks.

FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email [email protected].

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

Please click here to continue searching FHI 360's Career Portal.