Laboratory Services Advisor

Overview

Management and Development for Health (MDH) is a non-profit, non -governmental organization whose primary aim is to contribute to addressing public health priorities of Tanzania and the world at large. The priorities include HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria; Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, and Child Health (RMNCH), Nutrition; Non-Communicable Diseases of public health significance; as well as Health System Strengthening. MDH strongly believes in and works in partnership with various local and global institutions, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MOHCDGEC); President’s Office Regional Authorities and Local Government (PORALG); donor agencies; as academic and non-academic institutions; implementing partners; civil society, community-based and faith-based organizations and others.

MDH (Sub recipient) in collaboration with Deloitte Consulting Limited (Prime) through USAID Boresha Afya - Southern Zone Program seeks to recruit qualified individuals to fill the following vacancies which will require significant fieldwork and travel up to 80% of the time. 

LABORATORY SERVICES ADVISOR – ONE (1) POST

Location: Songea Office

Reports To: Regional Technical Manager

Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Provide oversight and lead the implementation of HIV Viral load (HVL) Services by providing technical support focusing on sample collection, packaging, transportation, testing, and result reporting;
   • Ensure implementation of demand creation strategies for improved coverage of HVL services o Oversee HVL testing laboratories, to ensure there is maintenance or improvement of the workflow for laboratory processes and improve TAT.
2. Strengthen Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) Service by providing technical support focusing on sample collection, packaging, transportation, testing, and result reporting. o Support scaled-up use and maximum utilization of available point of care (POC)/GeneXpert platforms in EID for improved turnaround time of test results.
3. Support TB Diagnosis Service by providing technical support focusing on sample collection, packaging, transportation, testing, and result reporting
   • Ensure maximum utilization of available GeneXpert for TB diagnosis
   • Strengthen integration of TB diagnostic samples transportation into the sample referral system
4. Collaborate with R/CHMTs and other stakeholders to expand and strengthen EQA services especially for HIV rapid test
5. Coordinate with R/CHMTs to strengthen the laboratory sample referral system, and work with Couriers to facilitate sample transportation from lower sites to facilities with testing capacity, and results back to respective sites
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   • Ensure maximum utilization of electronic sample referral system for improved turnaround time of test results
6. Collaborate with stakeholders to improve quality of HIV testing, by supporting the national certification program for non-laboratory HIV testers and HIV testing points, through provision of technical assistance and mentorship to participating facilities.
7. Responsible for ensuring supported sites meet national standard for laboratory practice required to support all project activities, including assessing site needs, identifying areas for quality improvement and capacity building of laboratory personnel through training and mentorship
8. Support implementation of laboratory continuous quality improvement and quality management systems to ensure good quality clinical laboratory testing in USAID Boresha Afya – Southern Zone supported sites.
9. Prepare timely quarterly and annual narrative reports, best practices, lessons learned and other relevant documents on laboratory services as assigned by line manager.
10. Support and advise the line manager on all Laboratory services issues and perform other relevant duties as assigned by the line manager.

Required Experience, Education, and professional qualifications

1. Degree in Laboratory Science or Biomedical Laboratory Sciences or its equivalent.
2. Master’s degree in Public Health or related field is an added advantage.
3. At least three (3) years’ experience in managing public health programs/ services.
4. Two (2) years’ technical expertise in Laboratory Services programs.
5. Excellent communication and presentation skills in English and Kiswahili.
6. Ability to work under pressure and stringent deadlines.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit an application letter indicating clearly the position applied for, a detailed copy of their CV, and names and contact information (email addresses and telephone numbers) of three work related referees.  MDH does not have any agents and does not charge any fees to the interested candidates. 

Applications should be submitted by 22^nd October, 2020, to the Director of Human Resource through this e-mail hr@mdh-tz.org  

Kindly note that, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.