Founded in 2002, by President William J. Clinton, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to strengthening integrated health systems around the world and expanding access to care and treatment for HIV/AIDS, malaria and other illnesses. Based on the premise that business-oriented strategy can facilitate solutions to global health challenges, CHAI acts as a catalyst to mobilize new resources and optimize the impact of these resources to save lives, via improved market organization, management support, and strategic use of data to inform evidence-based, cost-effective policies and programs. By working in association with governments and other NGO partners, CHAI is focused on large-scale impact.
Overview
The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) works in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other stakeholders to develop sustainable strategies to address Swaziland’s public health priority areas, and has been working in Swaziland since 2007. CHAI is part of a consortium of multi-disciplinary stakeholders that is managing an initiative called MaxART (Maximizing ART for Better Health and Zero New HIV Infections). Building upon the work done under MaxART thus far, the Government of Swaziland – in collaboration with the MaxART Consortium –embarked on a 3-year Early Access to ART for All (EAAA) Implementation Study to understand the feasibility, acceptability, clinical outcomes, affordability, and scalability of offering ‘early access to ART’ for people living with HIV. In this context, CHAI Swaziland is seeking an individual with outstanding credentials, analytical ability, and problem solving and communication skills to fill the Associate, Laboratory Services position and support the EAAA study activities.
The purpose of this role is primarily to improve the access to high quality, efficient laboratory services for clients enrolled in the study in accordance with the study protocols, and ensure laboratory specific data is collected, collated and analyzed in support of the study objectives. Additionally the Associate – Laboratory Services will collaborate with partners, including the Swaziland Laboratory Health Services (SHLS) to ensure laboratory related lessons learnt in the implementation of the EAAA study contribute to national system strengthening. The successful applicant will be able to function independently and flexibly within an operational research environment and have a strong commitment to excellence.
Responsibilities:
- Provide technical oversight and day-to-day management of the study’s laboratory activities, including adherence to study laboratory operating procedures, & policies.
- Maintain systems to monitor the studies laboratory data quality, ensuring that any issues identified have corresponding remedial actions identified which are implemented.
- Provide analytical support to the EAAA study, both utilizing and continuously improving the available laboratory monitoring and data analysis tools.
- In collaboration with the Research Manager, liaise with SHLS and other partners to ensure that study implementation plans align with national policies and protocol.
- Support SHLS and partners in the coordination, roll-out and management of new testing services/equipment that is directly related to the study, eg. Biocentric viral load
- Work with SHLS and partners to identify and overcome barriers to scale up of existing services as required.
- Provide supervision and support to the EAAA study Laboratory Analyst.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Medical Lab Technology or equivalent
- Minimum of three years of professional experience with laboratory diagnostics for HIV/TB (including CD4, EID and Viral Load testing)
- Technical knowledge of clinical laboratory services
- Detail oriented with strong problem solving, analytical and quantitative skills, including experience with MS Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to navigate complex government processes and favorably influence decision-making in a professional and collaborative manner
- Demonstrated ability to perform consistently at a high level in unstructured, high-pressure situations
- Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, and work independently and flexibly with a strong commitment to excellence and limited supervision
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English
Advantages:
- Experience living and/or working in developing countries
- Familiarity with global health issues, particularly HIV diagnosis, treatment, and care
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