Senior Technical Advisor, Laboratory at the Society for Family Health (SFH)

Society for Family Health (SFH) is one of the leading non-governmental public health organisations in Nigeria, implementing programmes in Reproductive Health/Family Planning, HIV & AIDS prevention and treatment, malaria prevention and treatment, primary health care system strengthening and maternal, newborn and child health care. We work in partnership with the Federal and State Governments of Nigeria, the Global Fund, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Department for International Development (DFID), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MSD for Mothers and Children Investment Fund Foundation among other international donors.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Technical Advisor, Laboratory

Job ID.: sfh-44097
Location: Abuja
Employment type: Full-time
Department: PROGRAMS

About the Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) Project

• The GC7 project will be implemented in Gombe and Kwara state with the goal of providing end-to-end HIV comprehensive services in the 2 states through client centered facility-community based approaches.
• In line with Global Fund (GF) strategy of working with and serving the health needs of people and communities to end AIDS, TB and Malaria, SFH will utilize the programme essentials for GC7 which include HIV primary prevention, HIV testing and Diagnosis, elimination of vertical transmission, HIV treatment and care, TB/HIV, Differentiated service delivery, and Gender and Human rights.

Job Profile

• The STA Laboratory for the GC7 program is responsible for overseeing all laboratory operations related to HIV testing, diagnosis, monitoring, and research.
• This role involves managerial duties, ensuring the efficiency, accuracy, and quality of laboratory services within the GC7.

Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following functions:
Strategic Planning and Management:

• Develop and execute strategic plans for the laboratory in alignment with the objectives of the GC7.
• Ensure the management of resources across the GC7 states, including personnel, equipment, and supplies, to support efficient laboratory operations.

Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance:

• Maintain quality assurance programs specifically tailored to HIV testing, ensuring compliance with relevant national standards and regulations.
• Implement and oversee proficiency testing and external quality assessment schemes for HIV-related laboratory procedures.

Operational Oversight:

• Supervise and coordinate all laboratory activities related to HIV testing, viral load monitoring, CD4 count analysis, and other relevant assays.
• Ensure the accuracy, reliability, and timely delivery of laboratory results to support patient care and program objectives.

Staff Training and Development:

• Recruit, train, and manage laboratory staff, providing mentorship and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and facilitate training sessions to enhance staff competency in HIV laboratory procedures.

Research and Innovation:

• Collaborate with researchers and healthcare professionals to facilitate HIV-related research initiatives within the laboratory.
• Lead the development and validation of new laboratory techniques or assays relevant to HIV diagnosis and monitoring.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication:

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including HQ and state teams, program managers, and regulatory bodies, to ensure effective coordination and communication.
• Present laboratory findings, recommendations, and progress reports to key stakeholders within the HIV program.
• Attend meetings at both national and state level specifically for Laboratory.

Qualifications / Experience

• Advanced Degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in a relevant scientific field (e.g., Microbiology, Vrology, immunology) with a focus on HIV/AIDS.
• 7 - 10 years’ post NYSC professional experience in Laboratory work.
• Substantial experience in laboratory management within HIV/AIDS programs, including staff supervision and resource management.

Skills and competencies:

• Comprehensive knowledge of HIV testing methodologies, viral load measurement, and CD4 count analysis, along with expertise in quality assurance protocols.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities for effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in relevant software for data management and analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams.

Compensation & Benefits
The compensation package for this position is very attractive and designed to attract, motivate and retain talented candidates.

Application Closing Date
26th December, 2023.