In partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ICAP will provide substantial technical support for Population-based HIV Impact Assessments (PHIA) in specific PEPFAR-supported countries. Each PHIA will define the status of the national HIV epidemic, guide allocation of resources based on evidence, and integrate capacity building of country stakeholders in the design, conduct, analysis, and use of PHIAs.
The MOH is planning to conduct a PHIA, with substantial technical support and involvement of CDC and ICAP, to estimate the population-level impact of the national HIV prevention, care and treatment programs in Lesotho. In addition to providing important programmatic information to the MOH and relevant stakeholders, this assessment of the national HIV program is of great value to HIV researchers and public health experts around the world.
Reporting to the Lesotho PHIA Project Director, the Laboratory Manager, PHIA Project will be responsible for overseeing the laboratory component of the PHIA Project within Lesotho. Works closely with the in-country sub-contracted lab organization, CDC, MoH, and survey teams to ensure that laboratory samples are correctly collected, processed, and transported and that results are returned in a timely manner.
More details on ICAP’s PHIA Project may be found at:
This position is grant funded.
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
Major Accountabilities
- Assist with development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the implementation of all lab related aspects of the PHIA Project
- Hire, train and supervise a team of laboratory officers
- Review the development and implementation of QA/QC procedures for point of care HIV rapid testing and PIMA CD4 point of care testing conducted by the laboratory subcontractor in the study
- Review the development and implementation of QA/QC procedures for the collection, processing and storage of other study-related lab specimens by the survey subcontractor in the study including for HIV recency, HIV RNA, and HIV DNA PCR for EID
- Ensure laboratory specimen data are correctly captured in the study database and assist with routine data analysis
- Assist with the interpretation of laboratory results from the PHIA Project and provide feedback on ways to improve/streamline lab procedures and systems
- Assist the PHIA team to develop strategies to ensure timely reporting of results to study participants
- Review weekly laboratory reports provided by the laboratory subcontractor, and assist the PHIA team with preparing regular progress reports
- Represent ICAP in discussions with national stakeholders and assess ways in which national capacity to process samples can be developed and strengthened
- Liaise with laboratory technical staff in ICAP NY Headquarters (HQs), and CDC Lesotho
- Perform other related duties as directed
Education
- Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field
Experience, Skills & Minimum Required Qualifications
- Minimum five (5) years of experience managing a clinical or research laboratory
- Extensive knowledge and experience in design, implementation and management of laboratory services in HIV programs
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge of procurement procedures and equipment/supply/stock tracking and inventory
- Demonstrated experience with lab-related data management systems
- High level of proficiency in relevant computer applications, particularly Excel
- Excellent interpersonal, management, and communication skills
Travel Requirements
- May require periodic trips to partner sites, conferences and/or off site meetings within Lesotho (requiring overnight stay of up to two days)
HOW TO APPLY:
NOTE: This is a local hire position and the successful candidate will be an employee of ICAP in Lesotho and subject to the local terms and conditions of employment which includes a competitive salary and benefits package.
To apply, send cover letter and CV to icap-jobs-lesotho@columbia.edu.
Please indicate you are applying for position “PHIA Project – Laboratory Manager” in the subject line of your e-mail.
Do not attach any certificates when submitting on line. Only short listed applicants will be contacted.
