Associate Director / Head, Laboratory and Biosafety Services at an Indigenous Non-profit and Non-governmental Organization

We are an indigenous non-profit and non-governmental organization with Head Office in Abuja and field offices in several locations in Nigeria. We are in the business of saving lives, making life more meaningful and productive for all Nigerians and especially for people living with, and affected by HIV. It is an organization built on strong core values and strong belief in commitment, innovation, inspiring leadership and partnerships.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Associate Director / Head, Laboratory and Biosafety Services

Location: Abuja
Grant Duration: Subject to availability of funds and exceptional grant performance

Job Description

• We are in search of innovative, creative, committed, audacious, accountable, passionate with strong core values to work with our highly experienced team at our Head Office as a Associate Director/Head, Laboratory and Biosafety Services.
• The Associate Director/Head, Laboratory and Biosafety Services is responsible for developing and implementing the organization’s overall strategy for Laboratory support including oversight for the Laboratory standards and quality management activities at all CIHP supported sites.
• S/he will ensure that all program aspects related to laboratory services delivery meet acceptable national and international standards.
• S/he will provide leadership in the development, implementation, refinement and coordination of organization-wide laboratory processes and systems to ensure program effectiveness and services delivery.
• Specifically, the Incumbent will oversee the development and implementation of innovative strategies to ensure optimization of existing technologies, molecular and clinical laboratories, as well as ensure efficient and integrated testing mechanisms that guarantee sustainability in laboratory service delivery.
• S/he will oversee the coordination of sample referral mechanism, commodities and reagent logistics with focus on HTS, EID, VLM, AHD, HPV and TB, towards achieving HIV epidemic control.
• S/he will also be responsible for strengthening capacity for quality assured laboratory operations through the implementation of various quality assurance programs including but not limited to RTCQI and DTS based PT programs; accreditation of Laboratories through the WHO AFRO SLMTA/SLIPTA process in conjunction with CDCNigeria and the SLMTA/Nigerian team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for controlling physical inventory of supplies and reagents, decisions on the purchase of analytical equipment, correlation of new procedure and assay, policy, procedure review and development of supporting documents.
• Lead the optimization of existing technologies e.g RSL-LIMSNMRS and CMM to enhance the tracking of Laboratory commodities and for effective management of specimen referral
• Oversee engagement with supply chain partner GHSC-PSM to enhance visibility and accountability in the supply of laboratory commodities
• Develop dashboards for general management of Laboratory equipment and Operations for purpose monitoring and rapid interventions
• Lead improvement effort in infection control and waste management in accordance with local and international standards and practices
• Perform research for the purpose of testing, and evaluating laboratory methods, procedures and devising new procedures and simplifying existing ones
• Supervise the training of laboratory personnel and provide guidance on standard practices
• Provide direction and facilitate efficient workflow in all departments of the Laboratory
• Determine capital and equipment needs and prepare laboratory budget estimates
• Participates in preparation of grant applications
• Prepare administrative and technical reports
• Ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations governing public health laboratories
• Develop long range business plans and implement growth strategies, analyze and manage financial performance and coordination of all Laboratory services to ensure optimal synergies in service, quality and profitable growth
• Develop and operationalize strategic vision, oversight of technical and service quality, monitoring, controlling and evaluating departmental activities as well as evaluating and implementing new tools, technologies and procedures

Qualifications and Experience

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Laboratory Science and registered with the Medical Laboratory Sciences Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) with valid License to practice
• Advance Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Public Health, Microbiology or related field from an accredited University.
• Minimum of 10 years post NYSC experience in implementing public health programs preferably in the NGO context. Familiarity with standards of Federal and State regulations affecting the Laboratory and laboratory practices in Nigeria.
• Experience in managing clinical and molecular laboratory especially in the areas of viral load determination, drug resistance testing, genotyping and nucleic acid sequencing.
• A good understanding of the working knowledge of the health and HIV/AIDS program priorities; substantial experience and knowledge of effective financial and budgetary control and securing and managing grants (e.g USAID, CDC/PEPFAR and other grant funders).
• Previous experience of managing and developing a team as well as the ability to lead and motivate others.
• Excellent inter-personal, communication and presentation skills.

Application Closing Date
11th October, 2022.