National TB Reference Laboratory Advisor

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) is looking for an advisor to the National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL) to support the national and regional TB laboratories diagnostic networks. The employee will support the scale up of WHO recommended rapid diagnostics (WRD), strengthen TB culture laboratories, support the linkage between TB culture laboratories and MDR treatment initiation centers, provide technical support and mentorship, analyze and report performance data, and monitor laboratory services. Experience in WHO recommended rapid TB diagnostic testing and TB culture is very important for this position

Roles and responsibilities

• Monitor and support increase access to WRD for people with presumptive TB according to the national algorithm.
• Support access to DST for bacteriologically confirmed TB according to the national diagnostic algorithm.
• Advise and support the National TB Reference Laboratory and the program.
• Ensure and monitor the regular and timely availability and utilization of TB diagnostic supplies 
• Support the timely maintenance of TB diagnostic equipment
• Support the proper management of laboratory data at national and regional reference laboratories for decision making
• Support the implementation of Quality Management System at national and regional laboratories.
• Support accreditation of TB diagnostic laboratories to ISO-15189 standards
• Provide support to RRLs to implement external quality assessment (EQA) program
• Develop and implement guides and tools for lab reporting as part of lab network strengthening 
• Develop annual plan and budget for TB laboratory activities 
• Support the linkage of regional TB culture and DST laboratories with their respective referring facilities or treatment initiating & follow up centers.
• Provide regular mentorships and technical assistance for regional TB culture laboratories
• Compile and report performance and supervision data, and present for respective stakeholders.
• Implement and monitor tuberculosis technical assistance in line with national priorities.
• Conduct regular onsite and virtual support for TB culture and DST laboratories.
• Support regional and national TB culture and DST laboratories on proper, quality testing, sample transportation.
• Support the startup and establishment of new TB culture and DST laboratories.
• Build capacity of technical staffs within the network.
• Standardize training materials on technical and programmatic aspects 
• Perform other duties as required

Position title: TB Laboratory Advisor

Category: Health Care

Employment Type: Contract  

Salary: As per the organizational scale 

Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension

Place: Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa

Number needed: One

Qualification and Experience:-

• Master’s degree in field of laboratory science with experience of 8 year and above
• BSc. degree in medical laboratory science with 10 years’ experience and above 

Required skills and attributes

• Experience in Ethiopian TB diagnostic laboratory network
• Experience in diagnostic tool implementation and evaluation
• Experience in providing technical guidance and support to regional and peripheral laboratories
• Strong interpersonal skills in facilitation and stakeholder engagement/coordination
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking and ability to address complex issues and concepts clearly, and concisely.
• Excellent computer literacy such as Microsoft Office, internet and email 
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Familiarity with data management software's (SPSS, STATA, Epi-Data, Epi-Info etc.)

How To Apply

Note Interested applicants can register in Online through only www.ethiojobs.net send their CVs and relevant documents.

Remarks: Please attach copies of transcripts, academic degree or recommendation letters together with the application. If not attached the copies you may be not short listed.