Laboratory Advisor

Job Description

Reports to: Health Systems Strengthening Specialist
Contract Duration: 01-year renewable
Number of positions: 01
Location: Kabale

Job Purpose:
The Laboratory Advisor provides overall technical leadership and coordination for quality laboratory health systems strengthening services.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Ensure technical soundness of laboratory systems strengthening supported activities and services.
• Coordinate the work plan design, planning and implementation of laboratory systems strengthening components for improved access to HIV/TB care and treatment services in collaboration with other implementing IPs, facility, and DHO’s office (DLFP).
• In liaison with hub coordinators, provide technical assistance in capacity building of facility laboratory personnel in lab service delivery, commodity management, quality assurance (QA), lab equipment maintenance to facilitate provision of quality integrated HIV/TB services. 
• Carry out all the lab systems related quality control functions/ activities in collaboration with the project team, including quality control inspections and ensure availability of high-quality documentation of lab processes across the supported laboratories.
• Develop quality control and quality assurance systems in collaboration with facility lab staff and hub coordinators and ensure related documentation, training, and monitoring.
• Review and monitor quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) activities of the laboratories enrolled on project support in order to determine conformity with established policies, national regulations, and accreditation requirements.
• Work with the Monitoring & Evaluation and Quality Improvement team to strengthen Laboratory Health Management Information Systems for quality improvement and accurate reporting at facility, district and regional levels.
• Tracking project progress, analysis of data, and preparation of project reports for the donor.
•  Using a quality improvement approach identify laboratory service areas for improvement, develop lessons learned from activities related to laboratory systems strengthening and management for HIV/TB care and treatment and apply these lessons to improve the program.
• Represent the project team at technical/stakeholder forums with the donor, other implementing partners.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in laboratory sciences, biological science, or related degree with 5 years relevant experience or
• A bachelor’s degree with 8 years’ experience in designing, implementing, managing and leading donor funded HIV/TB laboratory systems strengthening programs, particularly health facility-based services, including quality assurance systems, laboratory analysis, and interpretation and reporting techniques based on best practices and quality management practices.
• A demonstrated track record of providing mentorship and supervision for strengthening laboratory systems strengthening and training in quality improvement approaches.
• Good knowledge of commodity management and reporting and Laboratory Information Management System (LMIS) functionality.
• Familiarity and experience working with MOH structures and personnel and good knowledge of laboratory related health systems strengthening is highly desired.
• Knowledge with strengthening laboratories to achieve international quality standards including against ISO 15189 and/or SLMTA/SLIPTA.
• A demonstrated ability to work with multiple partners on collaborative projects.

Job application procedure
All applications should be addressed to; The Head Human Resources, Joint Clinical Research Centre Plot 101 Lubowa Campus off Entebbe Road, P.O Box 10005, Kampala-Uganda via Email at jobs@jcrc.org.ug. Applicants are STRICTLY advised to apply with a cover letter and CV combined in one PDF document not exceeding six pages.

Note: JCRC is an equal opportunity employer. Any attempts of influencing the recruitment process will lead to automatic disqualification. The public is further strongly advised to be vigilant about fraudsters masquerading to be recruiting on JCRC’s behalf using Whatsapp and other unofficial means of communication.