EpiC Kazakhstan Diagnostics and Laboratory Advisor for Global Health Security

EpiC Project Description: 

The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project (2019–2027), a global project funded by the U.S. Government, provides strategic technical assistance and direct service delivery to achieve HIV epidemic control among at-risk and vulnerable populations and strengthen global health security (GHS), including COVID-19 response.

EpiC Kazakhstan is expanding its technical scope to include GHS, recognizing its critical role in strengthening capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases threats in alignment with national and USG priorities. In line with this, we are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Diagnostics and Laboratory Advisor (GHS).  The position is open to Kazakh residents and will be based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. 

Job Description

The EpiC Kazakhstan Diagnostics and Laboratory Advisor for GHS will be responsible for managing all laboratory diagnostic network strengthening activities of the project in the country; provide technical support to the Ministry of Health, its structural divisions on developing or updating laboratory strategy and will take the lead on planning and implementing activities to improve quality and performance of laboratory services. They will be responsible for the technical inputs to the annual work planning at the country level, will take the lead in developing guidelines/policies for the laboratory diagnostic network strengthening activities, will participate in technical thought leadership both at the regional and country-levels.

The listed below technical responsibilities may be adjusted based on the activities approved in the project workplan. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to the laboratory and diagnostics component of the project in coordination with other technical areas.  
• Work in close collaboration with national counterparts to provide the technical assistance required to fulfill national objectives and targets, especially these related to the laboratory network strategic plan, work plans, and quality management system. 
• Provide technical support and mentorship in the planning, conduct, and reporting of assessments, audits for management systems as per national policies.  
• Provide advisory services to the national reference laboratories (NRLs) as well as other stakeholders on the development and implementation of continuous improvement initiatives to build laboratory capacity and quality with reference to ISO 15189 or other relevant standards and requirements. 
• Provide technical and coordination support as needed for implementation of a quality assurance program for clinical laboratories. 
• Provide technical support in the implementation of diagnostic network strengthening activities such as specimen referral and transport system, laboratory information management system, data management and reporting, diagnostic connectivity and expansion and optimization of molecular diagnostic tools. 
• Strengthen the capacity of laboratories to detect antimicrobial resistance.
• Provide onsite and on-the-job technical assistance to laboratories and others as required and requested as part of overall capacity building and continuous improvement schemes. 
• Provide expert advice in the preparation of training materials, SOPs, job aids and deliver trainingы to the laboratory personnel. 
• Coordinate and support selection, development of specifications, procurement, distribution, and maintenance of laboratory supplies and instruments performing services and duties as needed. 
• Work with NRL leadership to optimize, enhance and oversee the diagnostic network, update the diagnostic algorithm
• Provide technical assistance for the introduction and scale-up of new diagnostic tools as they become available
• Provide technical support in infection prevention/control, biosafety/biosecurity and waste management in the laboratories. 
• Work with project management and technical teams in developing work plans, presentations, and reports, and representing the project wherever required. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Master’s degree in microbiology or laboratory sciences, or its international equivalent, in biological sciences within a clinical or diagnostic discipline or specialty.  
• At least 8 years’ experience working with infectious disease diagnostics and/or in laboratory systems strengthening. 
• Proven experience in laboratory quality assurance, quality control and audits or at least seven years in a senior laboratory management position required. 
• Demonstrated ability and aptitude to perform quality assurance of laboratory audits and assessments against accepted national and international standards and regulations. 
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills. 
• Demonstrated experience in training and mentoring staff and others. 
• Proven experience working with government officials, particularly the Ministry of Health, is highly desirable, to support strategy development, implementation plans and decision making. 
• Experience in private sector laboratory and diagnostics is preferred.  
• Kazakh and Russian language fluency required; English fluency preferred.

Travel Requirements:

• 30%, mostly within Kazakhstan   

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.

This job posting 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.

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