Senior Technical Officer - Laboratory Services & QMS

Position Title: Senior Technical Officer - Laboratory Services and QMS

Location: Akwa Ibom

Supervisor: Senior Technical Advisor - Laboratory Services

Basic Function:

The Senior Technical Officer-Laboratory services will provide strategic and technical leadership in strengthening laboratory systems implementing Quality Management Systems (QMS) and supporting the adoption of the Total Quality Leadership Approaches (TQLA). The role will involve the provision of high-level technical assistance mentorship and capacity building to laboratory networks and partner organizations. The incumbent will ensure continuous quality improvement regulatory compliance (including ISO 15189) and sustainable laboratory services that support public health programs. He/she will guide the development and successful implementation of project workplans and achievement of targets and deliverables. Provides technical management and financial leadership to projects. Leads communications coordination and reporting with partners for projects and strengthen laboratory systems including point-of-care services. Oversees planning conducting and reporting laboratory audits. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to staff. S/he will provide support to PRs/SRs in specific target states to improve the quality of laboratory services available in health facilities in line with National guidelines.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide technical direction and oversight for laboratory quality systems implementation accreditation preparedness and sustainability.
• Lead the rollout and institutionalization of TQLA principles across laboratory networks.
• Support laboratories in developing implementing and monitoring QMS aligned with ISO 15189:2022 standards.
• Deliver high-quality technical assistance to government implementing partners and health facilities.
• Oversee implementation of continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives in laboratory operations.
• Provide technical leadership and technical support related to the laboratory services and management component of HIV/AIDS care and treatment.
• Coordinate the design planning and implementation of the laboratory component of HIV/AIDS care and treatment including ART in collaboration with state and community level project clinical staff laboratory specialists and state and local agencies in Nigeria.
• Provides technical and programmatic expertise in diagnostics quality management systems SLMTA/SLIPTA and other laboratory standards.
• Support the development of national and facility-level laboratory quality frameworks guidelines and SOPs.
• Mentor laboratory officers in corrective and preventive action (CAPA) internal audit processes and external quality assessment (EQA).
• Oversee internal audits and accreditation activities and other quality control functions/ activities in collaboration with the state team of the labs including quality control inspections schedules and the collection of quality control records; ensure the availability of high-quality documentation.
• Develop quality control and quality assurance systems in collaboration with existing personnel and systems and ensure related documentation training and monitoring Review and monitor QA and QC activities of the Laboratory to determine conformance with established policies national regulations and accreditation requirements.
• Guide efforts to prepare laboratories for accreditation locally regionally nationally and internationally recognized accreditation bodies.
• Guide implementation and monitoring efforts that enhance diagnostic components such as specimen referral supply chain equipment management expansion of point-of-care diagnostic services Quality Management System biosafety and biosecurity.
• Supports the development and successful implementation of project workplans and budgets.
• Provides technical guidance and mentorship to staff for laboratory services at the designated states of activity implementation and other settings as appropriate.
• Liaises with external stakeholders and partners.
• Manages and monitors systems services and staff to achieve project goals.
• Supports the preparation of timely and accurate technical and financial reports including budgets.
• Supports business development efforts relating to diagnostics.
• Collaborate with government agencies (e.g. Ministry of Health NPHCDA MLSCN) donors and implementing partners to advance laboratory systems strengthening goals.
• Monitor QMS and TQLA implementation performance using laboratory quality indicators.
• Track progress toward accreditation and sustainability milestones providing timely reports to stakeholders. Contribute to donor and organizational reporting ensuring accurate data collection and presentation.
• Develop lessons learned from activities related to laboratory services and management for HIV/AIDS care and treatment and apply these lessons to improve both existing programs and the design of new programs Remain informed on new findings in the field of laboratory technology that relate to HIV/AIDS OI malaria care and treatment by reviewing current literature and draw implications from research for program activities.
• Develops concept papers abstracts manuscripts and research papers to improve and extend existing laboratory activities.
• Support the Senior Technical Advisor in managing the FHI 360 Laboratory Services Department defining strategies goals objectives and working plan and monitoring their implementation.
• Play a key role in facilitating and maintaining complex collaborative lab programs with international partners
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills & Attributes:

• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts practices and procedures with clinical laboratory functions and quality management systems for labs.
• Knowledge of health and development programs in developing countries in general and Nigeria specifically
• Experience in the management of laboratory services particularly health facility-based services including quality assurance systems laboratory analysis and interpretation and reporting techniques based on best practices quality management practices and safe work practices.
• Excellent working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the following categories of assays: HIV rapid and confirmatory testing CD4/CD8 HIV viral load HIV DNA qualitative test HIV viral resistance (genotype and phenotype)
• Good working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the microscopic identification and culturing of different TB species and drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
• Knowledge of District Health Information System (DHIS) and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and AMIS is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including presentation and training skills.
• Ability to work well with others and develop and maintain compatibility among project staff project collaborators subcontractors and consultants.
• Strong analytical problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Strong knowledge of national and international regulations with quality assurance laboratory standards and guidelines.
• Project or technical leadership required.
• Supervisory or management experience required.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a management team.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social political and ethical issues surrounding HIV infections.
• Ability to represent FHI360 to donors government officials and the NGO community.
• Ability to manage and complete numerous tasks with a high degree of organization and meetdeadlines with strong attention to consistency detail and quality.
• Well-developed computer skills

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Masters degree in medical laboratory sciences with 7 to 9 years of relevant experience
• Or doctorate degree in laboratory sciences with 5 to 7 years of relevant experience
• A minimum of 5 years relevant experience within a clinical or research laboratory including experience with laboratory audits quality control and quality assurance systems and implementation and working in a donor-funded program is required.
• Professional certification in Laboratory Quality Management (e.g. SLMTA ISO 15189 Lead Auditor ASCP/QMS certification) is an added advantage.
• Certification/license to practice as a medical laboratory scientist is required.
• Proven track record in TQLA implementation and laboratory accreditation processes.
• Strong background in providing technical assistance and mentoring in laboratory settings.
• Proven experience in project development planning and facilitating technical training.
• Articulate professional and able to communicate in a clear positive manner with clients and staff.
• Must be able to read write and speak fluent English fluent in host country language as
• appropriate.
• Prior management experience preferred.
• Familiarity with the Nigerian public sector health system and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with USG and PEPFAR programs is as advantage.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel within Nigeria 25% time.

Safeguarding:

FHI 360 is committed to providing a safe environment for all employees beneficiaries and anyone contracted by FHI 360. This Includes taking measures to protect vulnerable people from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by either FHI 360 employees or associated personnel. FHI 360 abides by child safeguarding principles. FHI 360s Safeguarding Policies apply and flow out to all FHI 360 staff board members volunteers and partner staff (subcontractors consultants vendors and subrecipients) regardless of the funding mechanism or amount of contract agreement or purchase order.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national or ethnic origin age marital status physical or mental disability protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs including sexual abuse exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel including staff members and volunteers share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks including reference criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian line with the MDS we will request information from job applicants previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse exploitation and/or harassment during the applicants tenure with previous employers. By applying job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants including those with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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