Job Summary
The Rapid HIV Recency testing/surveillance will be responsible for providing technical leadership, training and mentorship on laboratory service delivery on rapid HIV testing for recent infection.
Minimum Qualification:Bachelor
Experience Level:Mid level
Experience Length:5 years
Job Description
Lab Specialist – Rapid HIV Recency testing/surveillance
Amref/Lap Specialist – RT/2020-09
1 IDENTIFICATION
1.1 JOB TITLE
Laboratory Specialist - Rapid HIV Recency testing/surveillance
1.2 REPORTING TO Senior Technical Advisor
1.4 PROGRAMME HIV, TB and MALARIA
1.5 PROGRAM/DIRECTORATE Sustainable Laboratory Quality Systems for HIV/TB Epidemic
1.6 PHYSICAL LOCATION Amref KCO
Amref Health Africa is the largest international health development organisation based in Africa. Working with and through African communities, health systems and governments, Amref Health Africa’s vision is for lasting health change in Africa and is committed to improving the health of people in Africa by partnering with and empowering communities, and strengthening health systems. For more on Amref Health Africa please visit www.amref.org
Background
Implementation of Sustainable Laboratory Quality Systems (SLQS) in the Republic of Kenya under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will provide technical assistance (TA) to the Kenya Ministry of Health (MOH) Division of National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL), National VL/EID referral laboratories and other relevant National Health departments to Provide quality laboratory network systems that support timely, efficient and reliable services along the clinical cascade for HIV/TB patients. Sustainable Laboratory Quality Systems programme will coordinate and support activities at the National level, cascade to the counties and site level will be done by lead clinical implementing partners. The objective is for HIV/TBrelated diagnostics to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals and epidemic control.
2 MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
The Rapid HIV Recency testing/surveillance will be responsible for providing technical leadership, training and mentorship on laboratory service delivery on rapid HIV testing for recent infection. The Lab Specialist will be expected to support national quality assurance systems for rapid testing for recent infections (RTRI) to ensure accurate diagnosis and case finding towards the achievement of the 1st 95 target and public health approach for HIV/TB epidemic control.
3 PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
KEY AREA ACTIVITIES
Technical Support
• Support Coordination and implementation of a national quality assurance program on HIV recency testing system including sample characterization of recency samples to provide quality control samples to recency testing labs to ensure quality of testing
• Plans technical, planning and steering committee meetings for HIV recency meetings with CDC Kenya, Ministry of Health- GOK for Rapid Test For Recent Infections (RTRI)
• As the Recency testing focal Person (RFP), contribute to the planning, follow up, implementation, and management of HIV recent infection responses across the country.
• Responsible to overseeing cluster detection, investigation and response
• Obtain HIV positive samples rejected from RBTCs to retest and obtain recency samples for quality control and PT panels
• Conduct HIV PT/EQA preparation, characterization, storage and distribution of HIV positive rejected samples from all RBTCs across the country
Stakeholder Engagement
• Organize planning meeting with stakeholders and set committees and sub committees for implementation of HIV recency and reviewing HIV Recency Tools
• Plans meetings with Multi State Stakeholders (CDC and NPHL) for HIV recency roll out
• Plan for monthly virtual meetings with International Laboratory (ILB), CDC Atlanta and other stakeholders regarding recency and lag avidity tests
Quality Assurance
• Coordinate validation of Asante kit for HIV recency
• Support the site-level response for all HIV recent infections, assess the site-level cluster response according to National HIV guidelines, record
the data from catchment area and communicate the findings to Amref and CDC.
Training/Capacity Building
• Reviews Recency training materials and laboratory requisition formsand process maps needed for purposes of quality testing
• Maintain data base for all trainees and trainers
• Prepares budgets for trainings in consultation with CDC, UCSF and MOH
• Plans step down, TOT and Master TOT training for national and county health facilities in Kenya conducting testing using Asante test kits for HIV recency
• Prepares reports emanating from the trainings and submitting to CDC and MOH for consumption and dissemination
4 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Knowledge
• Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory sciences or Biomedical Sciences or other relevant field from a recognized University. Individuals with a Master’s degree will have an added advantage.
• Individuals registered as assessors with Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) will have an added advantage.
• Must be registered by the KMLTTB
Experience
• 5 years’ experience in design and implementation of Laboratory Quality Management Systems in reputable laboratories.
• Demonstrated experience in implementation of quality management systems such as ISO 15189 and ISO 17043 among others.
• Experience in providing technical assistance to the national laboratory HIV/TB program.
• Demonstrated ability to work with various government institutions, counties and local partners.
Skills and Competences
• Ability to work independently, under pressure while at the same time adhering to strict deadlines.
• Strong staff development, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
• Excellent analytical skills, presentation and problem solving skills.
• Innovative with a high degree of initiative
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong team- player
• conflict management skills
Interested? Submit a Cover letter in PDF expressing your interest and clearly outlining your qualifications for the position (Not exceeding 2 pages) and an updated CV in PDF (Not exceeding 3 pages) highlighting all relevant educational and employment experience. The subject line for your email should read:Amref/Lab Specialist –RT2020-09 to ********** Deadline for submission: - 24th September 2020.Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Duly note that Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any fee at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process.
Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref is an equal opportunity employer and has a non-smoking environment policy.
