Summary
Date Posted: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
  ICAP at Columbia University is an international non-profit organization that aims to ensure the wellness of families and communities by strengthening health systems around the world.
ICAP at Columbia University has received PEPFAR funding from the U.S. Government/CDC to provide technical assistance (TA) to Ministries of Health (MOH) and in-country implementing partners in seven sub-Saharan African countries to establish a Tracking with Recency Assays to Control the Epidemic (TRACE) program. Each TRACE program will monitor epidemic trends, inform rapid programmatic responses at national, local and individual levels and accelerate progress towards epidemic control.
ICAP is tasked to provide TA in scaling up the use of rapid recency assays at HIV testing sites and build data systems to capture recency data to characterize emerging hotspots and help target HIV prevention interventions.
Reporting to the Rwanda ICAP Country Director, the Laboratory Advisor will be responsible for the provision of technical assistance of laboratory-related program activities in Rwanda. The incumbent will work closely with the Senior Technical Advisor for Laboratory Surveillance in NY, Regional Laboratory Advisors and country-based laboratory teams from ICAP, CDC and MOH to provide guidance regarding the development of laboratory templates, guidance documents, tools and any trainings as needed in Rwanda. The incumbent will also build MOH capacity for laboratory surveillance to facilitate effective data use for decision making.

Job Responsibilities:
• Work closely with the Senior Technical Advisor for Laboratory Surveillance to provide guidance, support and training to a highly skilled team of in-country laboratory specialists
• Work closely with strategic information team staff to manage and analyze HIV recency data
• Review of the laboratory-related aspects of HIV recency testing and counseling, protocol design, training, implementation and evaluation to ensure consistency and quality
• Implementation of strategies to strengthen and enhance laboratory systems infrastructure and capacity within Rwanda, including strategies to build the skills of in-country laboratory personnel to manage and participate in data collection and analysis
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for laboratory components of the program, including but not limited to specimen collection, storage, transport, testing as well as data management and flow, and routine data reviews as needed for Rwanda
• Develop and implement quality control measures required for monitoring specimen quality and storage conditions, as well as data completeness and consistency across multiple sources of data including laboratory instruments and routine clinical data at targeted sites
• Provide TA to MOH staff to establish routine, continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes for rapid recency testing/testing algorithm, including continuous training and quality
• Provide technical assistance to MOH staff on laboratory surveillance domains, including HIV recency testing, quality control, data capture, analysis, and interpretation.
• Represent the program on consultations and meetings related to laboratory surveillance issues.
• Liaise with other members of multidisciplinary project teams, including leadership, laboratory, strategic information, clinical and procurement and operational staff, as needed
• Perform other duties, as directed.

Job Skills: Not Specified

  Job Qualifications:
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in laboratory services and laboratory management
• Demonstrated technical expertise in laboratory management, quality assurance, quality control, biosafety, document development, specimen management, and use of electronic information systems within a laboratory context
• Experience in HIV incidence testing as part of surveys, preferably HIV LAg-Avidity testing
• Demonstrated technical expertise in routine laboratory and clinical data-driven surveillance activities
• Demonstrated experience serving as a technical resource and in supervisory roles
• Proven ability to effectively train and build the capacity of local/country partners
• Fluent English oral and written communication skills; ability to interact professionally in English
• Previous experience working to support the establishment and operations of laboratory systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Requires frequent travel within Rwanda for TA and/or monitoring visits, along with 1-2 international trips per year with each trip lasting approximately five (5) to ten (10) days.

Job Education Requirements: Degree

Job Experience Requirements: 5 years

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Job application procedure
  Suitably qualified and experienced candidates should email their applications, including a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) and cover letter with a subject title “ICAP Rwanda – TRACE Laboratory Advisor”
The closing date for receiving applications is July 8, 2019. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
ICAP is an equal opportunity employer, values inclusion and a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.
NOTE: These are local hire positions and the successful candidates will be employees of ICAP in Rwanda and subject to the local terms and conditions of employment which includes a competitive salary and benefits package.
More details on ICAP’s TRACE Project may be found at: https://icap.columbia.edu/icap-to-roll-out-rapid-hiv-recency-testing-for-disease-surveillance-and-targeted-response-in-six-african-countries/

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