Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNi) is an indigenous non-governmental organization that promotes socio-economic development by supporting a broad range of global health interventions education and economic initiatives in Nigeria. AHNi is an allied organization to Family Health International (FHI360) with co-existing and mutually supportive interest in advancing the collective goals of the people and communities served. AHNi currently has its headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.

To strengthen our operations and interventions in the country we are seeking qualified candidates for the following positions:

Basic Function: The Senior Technical Advisor-Laboratory Services in collaboration with the DCoP and STA-HSS/CD provides leadership in implementing high quality laboratory services for ACE-1 including building laboratory capacity in Borno and Yobe states, to combat HIV, TB, and other infectious diseases.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership and technical support related to the laboratory services and management component of HIV/AIDS care and treatment in Borno and Yobe states for the USAID funded ACE-1 project.
• Provide technical assistance in capacity building for laboratory services at the designated zones of activity implementation and other settings as appropriate.
• Carry out quality control functions/ activities, in collaboration with the state team, of the labs, including quality control inspections schedules and the collection of quality control records; ensure the availability of high-quality documentation.
• Develop quality control and quality assurance systems in collaboration with existing personnel and systems and ensures related documentation, training and monitoring of all quality control activities including Corrective Action Plans.
• Review and monitor QA and QC activities of the Laboratory to determine conformance with established policies, national regulations, and accreditation requirements.
• Implement LAB-PTCQI activities across all supported facilities in Borno and Yobe states and ensure that reports are properly documented on all relevant databases including DHIS 2.0 and APPR.
• Develop SOPs, tools and job aids related to the implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of laboratory services for Recency Testing, AHD screening, Viral load, EID sample management and other relevant laboratory component to guide implementation of high-quality laboratory services in collaboration with technical staff and at national, state and local agencies in Nigeria.
• Lead dissemination of lessons learned from activities related to laboratory services and management for HIV/AIDS care and treatment and apply these lessons to improve both existing programs and the design of new programs.
• Remain informed on new findings in the field of laboratory technology that relate to HIV/AIDS, OI, laboratory management by reviewing current literature and draws implications from research for program activities.
• Develops concept papers and research papers to improve and or extend existing laboratory activities.
• In collaboration with other laboratory staff and the ACE-1 technical teams in Borno and Yobe states, manage the AHNi Laboratory Services Department, defining strategies, goals, objectives and working plan, and monitoring their implementation.
• Supervise and mentor other AHNI lab staff both at and state offices and health facilities to improve and maintain high standards of performance in all their local laboratory activities

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• Knowledge of health and development programs in developing countries in general and Nigeria specifically
• Excellent working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the following categories of assays: HIV rapid and confirmatory testing, recency testing, hematology, biochemistry, CD4/CD8, HIV viral load, HIV DNA qualitative test, HIV viral resistance (genotype and phenotype)
• Good working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the microscopic identification and culturing of different TB species, and drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
• Experience in the management of laboratory services, particularly health facility-based services, including quality assurance systems, laboratory analysis, and interpretation and reporting techniques based on best practices, quality management practices and safe work practices.
• Knowledge of laboratory service and management issues related to the clinical management of HIV/AIDS, including ART.
• Knowledge of laboratory service and management issues related to mycobacterium Drug resistance Tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
• Knowledge of laboratory service and management issues related to opportunistic infection (OI) and malaria.
• Knowledge of District Health Information System (DHIS) and Lafiya Management Information System Plus (LAMISPlus) is required.
• Ability to work well with others and develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, project collaborators, subcontractors, and consultants.
• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Must be able to work independently, and as part of a management team.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political, and ethical issues surrounding HIV infections.
• Ability to represent AHNi to donors, government officials and the NGO community.
• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English communication, including presentation and training skills
• Proven ability in supervising staff.
• Well-developed computer skills.
• Ability to travel within Nigeria 25% time.

Minimum Recruitment Standard:

• Master’s degree in laboratory sciences, biological science or related degree with 7 to 9 years relevant experience.
• Or a doctorate degree in laboratory sciences, biological science or related degree with 5 to 7 years relevant experience.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in laboratory settings of which 3 must be in a HIV laboratory management donor-funded program.
• Certification / license to practice as a medical laboratory scientist is required.
• Experience in a clinical laboratory setting and working in a donor-funded program is required.
• Proven experience in project development, planning and facilitating technical training is an advantage.
• Familiarity with Nigerian public sector health system and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with USAID and PEPFAR programs is as advantage.

Method of application: Interested and Qualified candidates should forward a suitability statement (application) and resume (CV) as a single MS Word document to: AHNi-LabJobs@ahnigeria.org

Vacancy closes: Tuesday 31st October 2023

Only applications sent electronically (i.e., by e-mail) with the job title and location clearly indicated as the subject of the mail will be considered and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

AHNi is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimer: AHNi does not charge Candidates a fee for a test or interview