AD-HOC Program Officers, Laboratory at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN)

The Institute of Human Virology (IHVN) is a leading and reputable indigenous non-governmental organization addressing infectious and non-infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and cancer through the provision of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research and care and support services. IHVN is in partnership with local and international organizations and the different tiers of the government of Nigeria at national, state and local levels. The Institute’s vision is to be a leader in providing quality health services, capacity building and research in West Africa.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: AD-HOC Program Officer, Laboratory

Location: Nigeria
Office/Department: Clinical Laboratory Services Department
Scheduled Work Times: Monday - Friday
Immediate Supervisor/Reports To: The Program Officer will report to the Senior Program Officer, Program Manager, Associate Director (AD) and Director Clinical Laboratory Services.

Summary/Overview

• IHVN has been the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund DR-TB Grant since June 2011 till date. The objectives of the grant include surveillance for Drug Resistant TB (DR-TB), support for treatment at health facilities and the community level.
• The AD-HOC Program Officer is to ensure pre-analytical and post-analytical phases of TB tests are carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Essential Functions
The  AD-HOC Program Officer should have the ability and expertise to:

• Undergo training and competency assessment according to laboratory requirements. Development and reviewing of checklist, procedures, manuals and training materials for TB Quality Assurance /Quality Control program.
• Participate in TB panel preparation.
• Participate in the preparation and review of Sites TB External Quality Assessment panel reports.
• Participate in the activation of TB laboratories.
• Facilitate trainings on HIV rapid testing/sputum smear microscopy, GeneXpert, TB culture, Drug Susceptibility Testing and LPA, for Medical Laboratory Scientists and other Laboratory personnel.
• Collate, review reports of the TB laboratories.
• Be involved in the TB logistics management.
• Monitor TB Reference and other supported laboratories.
• Participate in the diagnostics (smear microscopy, GeneXpert, TB culture, Drug Susceptibility Testing, Line Probe Assay) in the TB Reference laboratories.
• Provide appropriate technical support and mentoring to TB laboratories.
• Track investigation results from responsible laboratories to ensure that they are sent back to the state TB program or treatment centres within turnaround time.
• Ensure that electronic laboratory management information systems are functional and up-to-date is up to date at all levels (state, treatment centre & reference laboratory).
• Ensure pre-analytical and post-analytical phases of testing are carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures
• Liaise with other relevant laboratory staff to oversee the follow up investigations for all DR-TB patients in DR-TB treatment centres, ambulatory phase, community initiation phase  (including baseline Drug Susceptibility Testing for patients) and in the continuation phase across the country.
• Perform every other duty necessary for the successful implementation of the Global Fund programs and as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Education/Experience: