Satellite Laboratorians - COVID 19 - Sero Prevalence Survey at the Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation (MGIC) - Abuja and Kano

The Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation is a nonprofit affiliate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) established to carry out UMB’s programs to strengthen health systems and improve the human condition in the areas where UMB operates. MGIC has UMB-approved affiliates, field offices, and program offices (collectively known as “country offices”) throughout sub-Saharan Africa.MGIC activitiesare funded generally by U.S. government entities through cooperative agreements.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Satellite Laboratorian - COVID 19 - Sero Prevalence Survey

Locations: Abuja (FCT) and Kano
Employment Type: Temporary

Duties and Responsibilities

• Overall specimen receipt verification, processing and storage as well as Lab operations of all COVID-19 sero-epidemiological survey related activities at the Satellite Laboratory
• Coordinate and facilitate all activities related to specimen transfer and quality assurance
• Coordinate and facilitate the transport of specimens from the field to satellite laboratories
• Liaise with the field lab technician to ensure that field testing activities and transport of specimen from field to the satellite lab are conducted as per respective SOP
• Ensure blood samples are shipped from the satellite to the central laboratory in a timely manner to maintain specimen integrity
• Ensure that lab staff receive and accession each specimen into a Laboratory Data Management System (LDMS) and process as per standard operating procedure
• Monitor the entire quality system from pre-test, test and post-test which will include, occurrence management, daily/ weekly reviews of QC documentation, troubleshooting both equipment and QC failures
• Monitor and ensure optimal laboratory environmental conditions are maintained to ensure quality of data

Qualifications

• Bachelor' Degree
• A medical laboratory scientist, medical laboratory technician, skilled in QMS and Data management.
• Experience: 4 - 6 years
• Experience in working on the laboratory bench for at least 2 years.
• Experience in proficiency testing is an advantage
• Experience with population survey will be an added advantage
• Experience performing Quality Assurance measures in all phases of biomedical testing

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Knowledge and experience in Molecular biology and Serology with application to clinical diagnostics such as HIV viral load testing or other applications of quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real-time PCR) testing and diagnostic serological testing
• Experience in leading or participating in Laboratory Quality Assurance programs (LQMS/EQA knowledge of ISO15189 or ISO17025), Laboratory Facilities and Design, Good Laboratory Practices, Bio risk management (Biosafety & Biosecurity-ISO 35001:2019), etc.)
• Familiarity with WHO Biosafety Guidelines
• Ability to work for long hours
• Ability to pay attention to details
• Ability to work with your hands and will need dexterity to work with small vials, test tubes, and delicate lab equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment and routine equipment maintenance.
• A systematic approach to tasks and the ability to follow instructions and set procedures
• A high level of flexibility in performing the responsibilities of the position,
• An indigene of the state or resident in the state
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in English required. Ability to speak Hausa will be an added advantage.

Application Closing Date
21st January, 2021.