Medical Laboratory Scientist - cART Team at Society for Family Health (SFH) - Gombe & Kwara

Society for Family Health (SFH) is one of the leading non-governmental public health organizations 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 (GF), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MSD for Mothers, Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Novartis NCD, among other international donors.  SFH offers professional opportunities for career advancement, a good working environment and competitive remuneration.

At this time, we seek to recruit qualified persons to fill the vacant position below, in response to our organizational growth:

Job Title: Medical Laboratory Scientist - cART Team

Job ID: sfh-97937
Locations: Gombe and Kwara
Job type: Full-time
Category: Program

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 Medical Laboratory Scientist would be responsible for conducting all laboratory and Point-of-care tests and related services in the community in line with good clinical laboratory practice. The successful candidate must be willing to work in rural communities.

Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will perform the following functions:

• Provision of timely and quality laboratory and HIV Testing Services under the GFHIV project to ensure comprehensive HIV prevention, care, and treatment among Key Populations.
• Maintain a robust Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and timely reporting of laboratory activities on SFH, state and national data repositories using appropriate reporting tools.
• Contribute to the development of lessons learned from projects related to laboratory component of HIV comprehensive services for Key populations.
• Interface with external stakeholders in the state on laboratory matters and support in building a resilient system for sustainable laboratory system strengthening.
• Provision of timely and quality laboratory and HIV Testing Services under GFHIV project to ensure comprehensive HIV prevention, care, and treatment among Key Populations.
• Maintain a robust Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and timely reporting of laboratory activities on SFH, state and national data repositories using appropriate reporting tools.
• Contribute to the development of lessons learned from projects related to laboratory component of HIV comprehensive services for Key populations.
• Interface with external stakeholders in the state on laboratory matters and support in building a resilient system for sustainable laboratory system strengthening.
• Timely processing of LIMS reports, and filling of requirements to ensure that health facilities are re-supplied with appropriate commodities.
• Tests new and improved laboratory methods and procedures.
• Keeps accurate monthly Laboratory Project Records Development of standard tools for evaluation & troubleshooting of laboratory Instrument new devices
• Support development & revision of Instrument maintenance policy, SOPs and guidelines
• Track all clients that are due for viral load test
• Collect, prepare and transport samples to PCR labs for viral load tests and retrieval of test results
• Perform other duties that may be assigned.

Qualifications/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science
• Minimum of 3 years’ post-NYSC relevant work experience.
• Experience in phlebotomy and sample analysis (e.g. blood, stool, sputum)
• Experience in the implementation and administration of the National Integrated Sample Referral Network (NISRN) policies, objectives, and goals.
• Experience in sample referral and result tracking.

Skills and competencies:

• Specific expertise in HIV / AIDS, TB, or Malaria programs.
• Knowledge of Polymerase Chain Reaction equipment for viral load and Early Infants’ Diagnosis, and GeneXpert machine is desirable.
• Knowledge of all basic laboratory techniques and quality control systems
• Knowledgeable in laboratory information management system
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques on hematology, chemical pathology, serology, and microbiology as they relate to the HIV/AIDS and TB program
• Advanced knowledge and experience using MS Office packages, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
• Excellent skills in Good Clinical Laboratory Practice.
• Ability to cope with stress and to organize and prioritize workload.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and with diverse stakeholders.
• Understanding of project management principles and program development.
• Strong data analysis, report writing, interpretation, and presentation skills.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of integrity and adherence to professional ethics.
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize workflow within tight timeframes.
• Ability to multitask and work with minimal supervision.
• Attention to detail and ability to follow up on tasks to completion.

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

Application Closing Date
12th January, 2024.