Antimalarial Drug Resistance Molecular Surveillance Lab Manager

Back ground

The World Bank is financing African Center for Disease Control Regional Investment Financing Project (ACDCP) to support Africa CDC to strengthen continental and regional infectious disease detection and response systems. The project has identified Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as a critical continental challenge. It aims to strengthen national surveillance systems, estimate the extent and burden of antimalarial drug resistance analyze and report national data, detect emerging evidence of antimalarial drug resistance markers, inform the implementation of targeted control measures, and assess the impact of interventions. 

As one of the implementers of the project, EPHI plans to strengthen the diagnostic capacity of laboratories for antimalarial drug resistance surveillance including standardization of testing procedures appropriate use of antimalarial drug resistance laboratory commodities. EPHI would therefore like to hire Antimalarial Drug Resistance Laboratory Manager with an extensive experience in molecular technique, tools and approaches, in-depth knowledge and experience of the overall laboratory quality management systems, to oversee implementation of its antimalarial drug resistance surveillance plan.  

Specific Tasks/Responsibilities

• Develop plan of action based on surveillance operational manual for the specific antimalarial drug resistance surveillance at national and site levels.

• Strengthen Anti-malaria drug resistance national reference laboratory 

• Ensure the overall quality of antimalarial drug resistance laboratory at national and site level.

• Develop and ensure the availability of laboratory polices, protocols, appropriate tools and standard operating procedures (SOP).

• Checks all internal quality control procedures are in place and implemented.

• Support laboratories to involve in External quality assurance system

• Ensure the availability of antimalarial drug resistance commodities and reagents at national and site level.

• Ensure proper maintenance of laboratory diagnostic devices and equipment, with a focus on antimalarial drug resistance-related devices and equipment

• Involved in specimen management including optimal specimen transport of isolates from sites identified for antimalarial drug resistance surveillance, 

• Create smooth communication with EPHI and surveillance sites,

• Close support to sites in inventory control, specimen collection, processing and package

• Support sites on documentation, quality data collection and transferring of data to EPHI,

• Compiling and reporting surveillance activities performed to Antimalarial drug resistance project coordinator or malaria and NTDs research team leader on quarterly, bi-annual and annual basis 

• Working closely with antimalarial drug resistance coordinator and the team, 

• Participate in Antimalarial drug resistance surveillance coordination  technical  meetings

• Contribute to molecular data analysis and preparation of papers for publication

• Lead the handling and resolution of complex issues and complaints.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and system regulations to provide a safe operation.
• Ensure compliance with all project/program policy procedures in the laboratory.
• Establish and maintain all laboratory records in accordance with project specifications.
• Ensure supplies are available as required for lab activity sessions.

• Any other task deemed necessary to achieve the objectives of the project as assigned by immediate supervisor, team leader and Directorate.

Deliverables

• Ensure management, communication of laboratory data and appropriate result reporting.

• Establish and maintain all laboratory records in accordance with specifications.

• Ensure data interpretation, result analysis, technical report and manuscript preparation

• Maintain QC inventory by ensuring the lab has the necessary supplies, ordering items when need, and receiving incoming packages, quarterly/every year

• Maintain laboratory equipment performance by following quality standards, developing operation, quality, and troubleshooting procedures; and ensure staff compliance

• conduct equipment, supplies Inventory and maintain all test devices twice a year

REPORTING

• The Antimalarial drug resistance surveillance laboratory quality manager reports to the Malaria and NTDs research team leader and works closely with AMR surveillance national coordinator

• The Antimalarial drug resistance surveillance laboratory quality management officer will be based at the Ba/Pa/Zo Research Directorate; Malaria and NTDs research team. 

NAME OF PROJECT: Africa CDC project

Duration of contract:  One year, with possibility of extension

Salary: As per MOH’s Project Salary scale

Qualifications/Experience

• Master’s degree, in Molecular quality laboratory management, Parasitology or molecular diagnostics or equivalent in biomedical Science.
• Molecular lab experience, 10+ years

Experience

• Specialized knowledge in antimalarial drug resistance, including:
• Antimalarial drug resistance molecular diagnostic and monitoring technologies, tools and approaches
• Familiar with local and international research ethics.
• Ability and being proactive in team work and works long hours efficiently.
• Experience in inventory and procurement management of molecular supplies, with a focus on antimalarial drug resistance commodities and reagents
• Experience in maintaining functional diagnostic devices and equipment, with a focus on antimalarial drug resistance -related devices and equipment
• Advanced skill in Microsoft office and data management skills
• Experienced in R statistics and data visualization 

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.