NCDC Covid-19 Genomic Sequencing Laboratory Interface Officer at the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)

The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET),  is a non-profit networking and service alliance of Field Epidemiology (and Laboratory) Training Programs (FELTPs), and other applied epidemiology training programs. AFENET has operations in over 31 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa or the World Health Organisation Africa Region (WHO – AFRO). Established in 2005, AFENET is dedicated to helping Ministries of Health in Africa build strong, effective, sustainable programs and capacity to improve public health systems on the African continent.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: NCDC Covid-19 Genomic Sequencing Laboratory Interface Officer

Location: Abuja  
Fixed term contract: April 2022 to October 2022
 Work Hours: Full time

Background

• The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) adopted the use of rapid antigen diagnostic kits for scale-up of COVID-19 testing following the emergency authorization granted for Abbott PanBio RDT and Standard Q RDT by SD Biosensor.
• Following, the outbreak of omicron variant, it became important for intensive genetic surveillance of COVID-19 cases. Nigeria ramped up her capacity for genetic sequencing, initially using remnants of positive PCR cases from the various molecular testing laboratories. 
• Presently, testing has been decentralized and RDTs are commonly used to identify positives in the field and in the communities, all outside the health facilities.
• This decentralization has provided a need for an operative, with the capacity to interface and link up the positive samples/cases to sequencing laboratories in support of continued surveillance.
• The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), in collaboration with the NCDC with funding support from Bill and Melinda Gates foundation (BMGF) is implementing a project titled: COVID-19: Nigeria – Increase testing capacity. This project directly supports eight priority states to build surge capacity for rapid antigen testing and provide support for the improvement of genomic sequencing for SARS-Cov-2.

Job Purpose

• The COVID-19 sequencing laboratory interface officer will operate at the center ‘of all the service points beginning with identification of positive cases using RDT, through the sample collection and transport process and ensure the sequencing report is shared with the client and her/his immediate community.
• Major Service points in the laboratory sequencing chain.
• The interface officer will develop a mutually collaborative relationship with an array of national and subnational focal points along the chain of service delivery as mentioned below:
  • Field testers
  • RDT Centre leads/Team leads
  • Third party logistic/couriers
  • Testing laboratory sample reception units
  • Sequencing laboratory
  • State Epidemiologists & State laboratory focal persons.
  • AFENET & NCDC project teams.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain an up-to-date register of samples collected, shipped, sequenced with results returned to the originating community.
• Ensure that every person who tests positive by RDT is given an opportunity to have his sample sequenced for the purpose of surveillance if the sample meets sequencing criteria.
• Ensure that all collected samples are timely shipped in accordance with safety and quality guidelines from the community to the testing laboratory
• Ensure that all samples reaching the sequencing laboratory are accompanied with the required metadata.
• Liaise with Sequencing laboratory to ensure timely and proper sequencing of samples that arrive the laboratory.
• Send result of sequenced samples to the originating community after result validation and with the authority of the director laboratory services or her designate.
• Maintain the timeliness matrix of all collected samples beginning from sample collection till testing and result release.
• Make all data in his/her custody available to authorized NCDC personnel only for use according to ethical guideline
• Provide accurate and timely communication to stakeholders and customers as may be required in the execution of responsibilities, example through reports, meeting presentations and oral information as may be required.
• Take up any other responsibility as may be directed by or through Director laboratory services NCDC in relation to core function such as supervision, training etc.

Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in Medical field from a recognized university
• A degree in Public Health is an additional asset
• Must have at least three years’ experience working with Government
• Must have at least three years experience working with multiple stakeholders.

Required Competences:

• Ability to write reports and communicate findings
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft package usage skills
• Presentation skills
• Customs service and telephone etiquette.

Application Closing Date
18th April, 2022.