Technical Advisor for Senior Laboratory Advisor 131 views2 applications

Service Title: Technical Advisory Services-Senior Laboratory Advisor

Estimated Period of Performance: March 15, 2018 -March 14, 2023

Place of Performance: Namibia

Embassy Access and Security Level: Level 5

Service Objectives:

Through existing CoAgs listed in Section C.1, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) / Namibia Senior Laboratory Advisor provides high-quality technical assistance to the United States Government (USG) PEPFAR country team, Namibia Institute of Pathology, Polytechnic of Namibia, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), technical workgroups, implementing partners, and Government of Namibia counterparts to ensure that the portfolio of program activities contributes to the national HIV/AIDS strategic goals and targets

B.1 Task Requirements (Description of Tasks):

Through existing CoAgs listed in Section C.1, the Senior Technical Advisor for Laboratory Services

works in partnership with Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Directorate of Special

Programmes (DSP), Namibian Institute for Pathology (NIP) and the CDC Namibia to implement

HIV/AIDS and other health related laboratory services. In addition, the incumbent serves as

the technical expert in laboratory services to establish priorities, policies and targeted strategic plans.

The following activities serve as the primary focus of activities for the incumbent:

Leadership and Technical Assistance

B.1.1 Coordinates and collaborates with government and public health officials to identify and develop the infrastructure and other resources necessary to support the national laboratory system at all levels.

B.1.2 Provides technical assistance to ensure that the NIP complies with all applicable local and

international safety and health regulations and established international safety policies and procedures.

B.1.3 Participates and serves as an expert liaison to MoHSS work groups, meetings, and workshops “on the implementation of the National Laboratory Strategic Plan. .

B.1.4 Provides recommendations to the NIP Chief Executive Officer and works directly with NIP

management and staff to put into practice policies, regulations, and laboratory procedures.

B.1.5 Provides technical leadership within the laboratory matters relating to formulating objectives, work

plans and budgets, policies, organizational structure including physical laboratory structure and space

issues.

B.1.6 Provides expertise on the use of laboratory equipment, correct maintenance of equipment, and

proper laboratory techniques.

B.1.7 In collaboration with CDC-technical leads and program managers in each partner organization,

conduct site visits to monitor progress, outcome, and impact of HIV/AIDS activities; identify

implementation achievements and challenges; and initiates an appropriate actions in consultation

with the Ministry of Health, implementing partners, and his/her supervisor.

B.1.8 Fosters collaborative working relationships with the United Nations organizations such as UNICEF,

WHO, UNFPA, UNAIDS and other international organizations working in Namibia.

B.1.9 Assists in the development of Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) targeted to PEPFAR

implementing Partners

Strategic Planning, Program Management, and Evaluation

B.2.1 Serves as the technical expert public health laboratory testing procedures and systems including the

evaluation of new diagnostic technologies, quality assurance procedures, laboratory management and

administrative issues, and the provision of training.

B.2.2 Serves as an expert to the NIP and MoHSS on matters relating to public health laboratory systems

analysis and developmental planning, operational research, and all aspects of laboratory quality assurance.

B.2.3 Serves as the critical interface between the Namibia PEPFAR program and the NIP and plays a key

role in developing the laboratory program area sections of the annual Country Operational Plan.

B.2.4 Provides consultation on scientific and technical issues with highranking

officials of the Namibia

government, CDC, and regional and international public health agencies and non-governmental organizations on the development, implementation and conduct of scientific and technical laboratory systems and services.

B.2.5 Serves as the point of contact and liaison between NIP, MoHSS and the PEPFAR team for all PEPFAR funded surveys involving laboratory testing.

B.2.6 Provides recommendations on how NIP staff implement measures to regularly and routinely inspect or review assigned workspace to identify and correct unsafe conditions, deficiencies, processes and procedures.

B.2.7 Provides consultation in survey designs and in devising solutions to critical problems by developing

approaches consistent with current best practices.

B.2.8 Evaluates training programs for appropriate content and recommends changes to assure accurate and current scientific information.

Staffing and Training

B.3.1 Assists in building the capacity of the NIP, MoHSS, public health authorities, non-governmental

organizations, and others to establish and conduct public health and clinical laboratory services throughout Namibia.

B.3.2 Works in collaboration with NIP and MoHSS officers and PEPFAR partners to develop training

programs. This includes identify training needs and strategies and conducting external TA visits, to meet

those needs.

B.3.3 Assists to identify and strategically develop pathways to meet short- and long-term laboratory

staffing needs.

Advocacy and the Dissemination of Laboratory Information

B.4.1 Provides leadership in developing and disseminating scientific policy for laboratory services and

systems in public health prevention and surveillance. These include, but are not limited to: tuberculosis;

HIV; sexually transmitted diseases; antimicrobial resistance; international standards; training; and quality

assurance.

B.4.2 Develops and maintains professional relationships with international, national, and local laboratory

policy makers, universities and schools of public health, and key personnel in appropriate clinical and

laboratory organizations.

B.4.3 Consults on scientific training and education programs and assists in the coordination of the

development and delivery of related training programs.

B.4.4 Assists in the development and distribution of technical laboratory- related educational materials and promotes the sharing of scientific information and assistance.

B.4.5 Writes reports, abstracts, articles, opinions, scientific manuscripts and makes oral presentations to

disseminate operational research findings and to advocate for laboratory programs and services.

B.4.6 Completes special projects as requested.

B.3 Travel Amount

1 trip to USA for an estimated 21 days.

4 trips in country for an estimated 91 days.

2 trips to African countries for an estimated 21 days.

Travel needs during option periods will be evaluated at the time of task order renewal.

Minimum Qualifications and/or Certifications:

a. Bachelor Degree in Laboratory sciences

b. 4 years of clinical laboratory experience with progressive responsibilities

c. 5 years of international laboratory and HIV/AIDs experience

d. 5 years of experience as technical advisor in an international setting

e. 5 years familiarity with PEPFAR programs

f. Training in public health laboratory management

g. Training in grants management

h. Member of international Laboratory professional society

i. Willingness and Ability to effectively communicate in English (Speaking, Reading, and

Writing) on a daily basis