Overview:
The COVID-19 epidemic has posed a huge challenge to healthcare delivery systems all across the world and threatens progress against HIV, TB and Malaria. In the current situation, developing countries are battling to keep healthcare services available to the most vulnerable sectors of the population while also preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Global Fund has provided C19RM Funding to Pakistan to fight against COVID-19 and mitigate its impact on fight against three diseases. C19RM funds provide an opportunity to invest in building up the capabilities of health systems across a range of potential epidemic scenarios, strengthening resilience and preparing for the next pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic is evolving and so should C19RM investments in all thematic areas including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).
Jhpiego Pakistan, An Affiliate of Johns Hopkins University USA, is seeking a position of a “Technical Officer Labs & Biosafety” to provide technical support to Public Health Lab division at National Institute of Health-Pakistan & Global Fund’s Principal & Sub-recipients to improve Lab diagnostics & disease surveillance through Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). This assistance will help ensure that Global Fund’s C19RM re-investment’s utilization is optimized and will further enable NIH Pakistan and other PRs to achieve both technical, strategic and financial milestones of C19RM grant and ensure funds are absorbed and are used for the purpose they are intended by redirecting funds to achieve impactful & priority improvements in Lab diagnostics & NGS.
This is a contractual position based in Islamabad with occasional travel required to provinces and is renewable based on availability of funding and scope of work.
Responsibilities:
Technical Officer Labs & Biosafety will provide technical support to C19RM-Liasion manager and NGS Subject Matter Expert in day to day execution of project activities including lab biosafety & surveillance data management in coordination with NIH Pakistan, Global Fund’s Principal & Sub-recipients (PRs & SRs) and other C19RM stakeholders.
Specific technical roles are as follows:
- will provide support to C19RM liaison manager to ensure SOPs related to biosafety, biosecurity and bio-risk management in assigned lab are implemented and guide compliance of infection prevention & control measures within the lab.
- Support C19RM Liaison manager for day to day activities related to project implementation related to biosafety and capacity building of lab staff and development of training reports
- Will monitor technical progress of workplan goals and objectives as per donor’s requirement and ensure financial expenses are being and project progress is on track as per agreed scope of work, timelines and budget in coordination with admin and finance team.
- Support manager in mitigating programmatic bottlenecks and optimise funds allocation and provide timely solutions to ongoing challenges through continued liaison with National stakeholders, PRs & SRs through regular coordination, attending progress review meetings and analysis of available data.
- Provide support to liaison manager and lab consultants in lab designing and engagement with local vendor and planning for lab staff training and its execution.
- keep track of required lab re-design work and help manager to synchronize activities with national and provincial focal points of labs for prompt coordination and ensure budget utilization
- Ensure compliance with Global Fund, CDC, Jhpiego and JHU operational policies and regulations.
- Any other emerging priority of the project as advised by Technical Manager Labs & Surveillance.
Qualifications:
- Masters or M.Phil in Medical Laboratory technology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology/Pathology/Biotechnology. Medical doctor (MBBS) with Master degree in Lab related fields will be preferred.
Experience and Skills:
- Minimum 5 years of hands on experience working in BSL-3 labs with at least 2-year documented experience of working in or leading Global fund projects.
- In depth understanding of C19RM grant/funding mechanism, lab Biosafety SOPs, guidelines, lab quality assurance standards in BSL-3 & BSL-4 labs.
- Ability to work independently in a complex environment with multiple tasks and short deadlines.
- Strong data analysis and computer skills including command on MS-Word, Excel, Outlook, and SPSS.
- Excellent presentation, verbal and written communications skills, with an ability to represent organization at National or International Venues.
Note: Only shortlisted candidate will be contacted. The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.
Jhpiego is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. Failure to follow the instructions of applying, your application would be denied.
For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org