Jobs Descriptions:

  Senior Diagnostic Specialist

Job Code: TECH 30104

Job Family: Technical Compensation Band:

FLSA: Exempt

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology; creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories.

Overview: The Senior Diagnostic Specialist will lead the diagnostics systems capacity building work for the USAID Infectious Diseases Detection and Surveillance (IDDS) project in Guinea. IDDS serves the Global Health Security Agenda, TB programs and other related initiatives. IDDS supports the Guinean government and relevant ministries in the strengthening of the Guinean human and animal health diagnostic systems for infectious diseases, TB and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The work will focus primarily on public health systems but may also include private health and other non-governmental diagnostic facilities (laboratories and point-of-care facilities). The position will be based in Conakry, Guinea but will include in-country travel to diagnostic facilities and for diagnostic capacity building activities and meetings. Technical responsibilities include working with the IDDS Guinea Team Lead, ICF (project prime), USAID and local and regional IDDS Diagnostic Specialists to implement agreed strategies to enhance diagnostic networks (both human and animal health and point-of-care facilities) in Guinea as well as broader surveillance activities.

The key role of the Senior Diagnostic Specialist is to provide timely technical assistance (strengthening AMR detection and surveillance through technical assistance to develop and implement national strategic plans) to the INSP to further build their technical capacity to serve as the leader of the diagnostics network in Guinea.

Technical Responsibilities:

The Senior Diagnostic Specialist provides technical assistance to the INSP to enhance or develop comprehensive systems at the national level and later support the INSP in adapting these nationally and/or point-of-care level. Technical assistance will be provided in the following areas to:

• Supporting the development and implementation of the 5-year strategic plan for INSP. This will include:
  • Providing required technical assistance and attending stakeholder and strategic plan development meetings

• Planning and implementing IDDS activities that are aligned to the INSP 5-year strategic plan

• Assisting with assessing the capacity of the selected diagnostic facilities and identify their equipment, supply chain and human resource needs to detect priority IDSR pathogens
• Enhance diagnostic commodities management systems including inventory management, procurement and forecasting systems needed for microbiology equipment and reagents
• Providing training on priority IDSR pathogen detection and in conjunction with the LNSP provide supportive supervision and mentorship
• Assist with conduct a situational analysis of the reagent supply chain for Lassa fever specifically and for other priority diseases more generally.
• Assist with enhancing the national supply chain systems for other priority zoonotic diseases.
• Support strengthening the national specimen referral and transport system. This may include, but not limited to; assisting with conducting assessment to identify specimen referral and transport systems issues and to formulate recommendations for strengthening systems initially for the Faranah, Mamou, and Kindia regions and then generalizing with other regions accordingly and in consultations with MOH and INSP.
• Assisting with reviewing existing laboratory network mapping information and collection protocols and developing a plan for additional mapping to support developing of a functional network of laboratory facilities offering diagnostic services for priority pathogens and AMR.
• Enhance systems for checking the quality of diagnostic testing through use and timely review of internal quality control results, external quality assurance scheme results, proficiency testing program results and other sources of quality indicator data.
• Establish systems for the training, competency, performance measurement, continuing education and qualification of diagnostic testing staff and management.
• Enhance workforce resourcing and scheduling by monitoring workload of functional areas with reference to testing volumes over peak and slack periods and proposing operational or staffing adjustments.
• Enhance dialogue and the interface with animal health sector for one health.

Regional Responsibilities

IDDS will implement a suite of activities to build diagnostic capacity in Guinea. In addition to the INSP, IDDS will hire two full time Diagnostics Specialist (DS) to work at the national, regional and sub-regional levels to support AMR diagnostics enhancements. Regions to be supported in the first year may include Faranah, Mamou, and Kindia.

The Senior Diagnostic Specialist will closely work with the two DS and provide technical oversight to ensure that national strategies and systems developed with the INSP are translated into regional-level diagnostic systems and solutions. Regional-level activities for DS which the INSP will oversee will include capacity building of diagnostic facilities and the network, quality improvement initiatives, strengthening of systems for supply chain and equipment management and strengthening capacity for detection of pathogens and AMR.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• In-depth functional knowledge of clinical diagnostics and diagnostic networks and quality management systems.
• In-depth functional knowledge of the diagnostics for infectious diseases (including TB) and anti-microbial resistance.
• Functional knowledge of the management of a diagnostic network and facilities.
• Knowledge of the mechanisms and strategies that are being deployed under the Global Health Security Agenda and other similar mechanisms to combat emerging infectious threats and anti-microbial resistance
• Good understanding of the external environment and how it affects diagnostic network functioning in general, including political, legal, environmental, financial and social influences.
• Strong capacity building skills.
• Ability to exchange information, present recommendations and collaborate with colleagues and peers within IDDS and externally.

Experience:

• A minimum of a BSc in clinical diagnostics.
• At least five years of experience in diagnostics implementation (on-the-bench experience) and management in Guinea or similar developing country settings.
• Proven knowledge and experience in the diagnosis of infectious diseases (including TB) and anti-microbial resistance including specific hands-on clinical diagnostics experience.
• Competent in current developments in the diagnosis of infectious diseases including point-of-care and molecular methods.
• Experience with implementation of laboratory quality standards including against ISO 15189 and/or SLMTA/SLIPTA or in-country standards will be an added advantage.
• A demonstrated ability to work with multiple partners on collaborative projects;
• Experience implementing diagnostic network capacity building.
• Fluency in written and spoken French. Fluency in spoken and written English will be highly desirable.

Travel Requirements:

– Most of the time (over 50%) working at the national level and closely with the INSP but some regional-level travel.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefit package. Please click here to visit FHI 360’s Career Center for a list of all open positions.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is an equal employment and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law.

Submission of applications:

Applications should include:

• A cover letter addressed to the Chief of Party of FHI 360 Guinea
• An updated CV including at least three references’addresses (Name, organization, E-mail and phone number)
• Copies of training diplomas and certificates
• Copies of works certificates from former employers

Applications should be sent by e-mail to:

• guinearecruitment@fhi360.org and copy : LUwera@fhi360.org and OBerete@fhi360.org.

The deadline for submitting is April 04, 2019.

 

Women’s applications are strongly encouraged.