Laboratory Officer

FHI 360 Nepal 

Vacancy Announcement

FHI 360, an international NGO, is recruiting a highly qualified and dynamic Nepali citizen for Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) Nepal for the Laboratory Officer for COVID-19 emergency response with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Laboratory Officer 

The Laboratory Officer is responsible for support in capacity building, technical assistance of COVID-19 and HIV testing laboratory services at district level and coordinating with National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL)/Provincial Public Health Laboratory (PPHL) for strengthening systems for quality laboratory services. 

The Laboratory Officer will also provide technical assistance (TA) to FHI 360/EpiC Nepal’s implementing partners as well as TA to Government of Nepal (GoN) for COVID-19, HIV testing and infection prevention and control (IPC). 

Key Responsibilities

• Support COVID-19 testing service sites in coordination with NPHL/PPHL and other COVID-19 testing laboratories.
• Support in calibration/validation of PCR machines and biosafety cabinets used for COVID-19 testing
• Support in planning and implementation of biorepository of COVID-19 samples in NPHL
• Support NPHL for strengthening Genomic sequencing for COVID-19 
• Support to monitor IPC, waste management practices, and compliance with an environmental mitigation and monitoring plan for EpiC Nepal supported sites
• Conduct training/orientation on IPC for EpiC Nepal partner staff and ART sites staff
• Provide support to conduct rapid assessment on COVID-19 PCR laboratories and conduct orientation on use of COVID-19 PCR laboratories for HIV VL test. 
• Explore and support in finalization of COVID-19 testing sites for HIV VL testing and Coordinate with NPHL and respective PPHL to identify compatible reagents for those sites for HIV VL testing 
• Support to upgrade and strengthen laboratory information system – for support and integration with the one national HIV information system (ONHIS)
• Identify and support in laboratory-related technical assistance in coordination with other members of the technical team of EpiC Nepal.
• Conduct supportive supervision and monitoring of laboratory related services in EpiC Nepal supported sites
• Support in validation of instruments used in EpiC supported service delivery sites.
• Attend coordination meetings with government, donors, partner organizations, and other stakeholders as needed.
• Assist Laboratory Specialist and Senior Procurement and Supply Chain Specialist for procurement and supply chain management for HIV and COVID-19 laboratory related laboratory reagents and consumables. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned by Supervisor, Deputy Project Director, Project Director and Country Director 

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s in medical laboratory technology/medical microbiology/virology with least two years’ experience working in health program implementation/management or bachelor’s degree with minimum five years of relevant experience
• Experience in designing and conducting training/orientation on IPC, waste management and COVID-19 case management. Experience on genome sequencing will add value.  
• Proactive and independent approach to work with willingness to undertake additional responsibilities 
• Ability to perform multiple tasks, work under pressure with additional time and efforts in emergency/crisis situation
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain positive working relationships
• In addition to basic computer skills, ability to handle computer applications required for medical laboratory and bioinformatics will add value. 
• Maturity and ability to maintain composure under stressful situations and tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to work efficiently and effectively in virtual/digital environment
• Excellent oral and written English skills required
• Ability to travel within Nepal 20-30 percent of the time. 

To apply for this job online, please click on the link  https://www.fhi360.org/careers

Final deadline for application is 5:00 p.m. October 31, 2021.

Only short-listed candidates will be invited for written test and oral interview. Any effort to influence the selection process will result in disqualification.