The Laboratory Program Manager will be a key member of the CHAI Zimbabwe Team and is expected to provide technical expertise, analytical and program planning and implementation rigor to CHAI Zimbabwe’s engagement in the laboratory services. The Laboratory Program Manager will lead CHAI’s in-country presence to accelerate evaluation, adoption and uptake of innovative, affordable and high-quality POC CD4 diagnostics. S/He will promote MoH/partner coordination and support resource mobilization, strengthen access to essential HIV testing services such as EID, CD4, chemistry and haematology, and VL testing; promote sustainable solutions for equipment service and maintenance challenges, develop supply chain management systems for lab commodities. In addition, s/he will work to strengthen data management and reporting and expedited results reporting systems. The Laboratory Manager will have the opportunity to impact positively the broader HIV-related lab and diagnostics capacity in Zimbabwe to improve systems for patient care and monitoring. The position requires a highly motivated individual with outstanding clinical / technical grounding and a strong analytical and problem solving record. The Laboratory Manager is required to work with government officials and partners, and must have excellent communication and negotiation skills and a high degree of self-confidence. S/he must be able to function independently and have a strong commitment to excellence. S/he should also exhibit a number of important personal qualities: resourcefulness, responsibility, tenacity, independence, energy, and work ethic. The Laboratory Program Manager will report to the Deputy Country Director.
Responsibilities
Working in close collaboration with MOH, the Laboratory Program Manager will:
- Work with Ministry of Health (MOH) laboratory services directorate and partners to drive formal structures for coordination and participate actively in Technical Working Groups (TWGs)
- Work with the various MOH departments, the CHAI country and global teams to adapt and/or develop elaborate strategic and implementation plans to strengthen laboratory services
- Provide technical support for training and mentoring for molecular testing techniques to ensure efficient and quality testing, improved data management systems, and utilization of data for program management (EID, VL testing)
- Work with MOH/reference labs by provide technical expertise to the design/set up, implementation of EQA program for selected POC diagnostic tests and monitor program performance and participation
- Support MOH in development and implementation of national viral load plans including strategic and operational planning for sample and results transportation, costing, and technology selection decisions, algorithms, etc
- Provide technical support and manage roll-out of expedited reporting systems for laboratory test results for centralized testing (EID, CD4, VL, etc)
- Work with MoH and partners to roll-out the bundled reagent and service and maintenance model for essential HIV testing equipment/reagents, and develop/implement framework to monitor service provider compliance/ downtimes
- Provide technical leadership in the design of evaluation protocols and implementation of a select number of operational pilots to develop evidence on the impact and cost-effectiveness of POCdiagnostic technologies and support strategic deployment and rapid uptake in the country working with MoH
- Support resource mobilization efforts on behalf of CHAI and the MOH
- Work through existing technical and policy bodies and partners to develop national plans and funding mechanisms for new products
- Create effective and sustainable training programs, quality assurance and, and data management to support accelerated roll-out for new diagnostic technologies
- Work with MoH and other partners to advance plans for a supply chain management system for lab commodities, including development of supply chain tools to support accelerated product roll-out for new diagnostics
- Design and implement monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems to measure the impact of POC testing and other lab services interventions implemented by CHAI
- Drive operational and policy changes to maximize impact of POC testing including testing algorithms, clinic workflow, strategic deployment guidelines for selected POC diagnostic technologies
- Provide technical advice to MOH on lab systems strengthening related issues (SMLTA, sample transport, technology selection)
- Conceive, develop and propose feasible mHealth solutions for lab related bottlenecks to service delivery that can be tested and brought to scale
- Develop program budgets and cash forecasts, and ensure activities are executed according to work plan and approved budgets, and
- Compile progress reports and deliver presentations related to program activities
Qualifications
- Master’s Degree (preferably in Business or Public Health) from a recognized institution is desired
- A minimum of 4 years’ experience in private or public sector enterprise
- Lab and diagnostics-related experience, either in a programmatic or clinical setting; knowledge of workstreams related to EID, CD4, POC, Viral Load, understanding the clinical underpinnings of these programs, and general market dynamics of their respective technology platforms and reagents
- Experience conceiving, planning and executing programs or projects with verifiable results and little external support
- Experience managing developing and managing demanding work plans and tight budgets
- Experience developing training materials and/or reports for broad consumption
- Ability to navigate government processes with multiple influencers, and at negotiating and achieving consensus
- Strong analytical skills and technical proficiency with MS Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to solve challenging problems without extensive structural or operational support
- Able to adapt to fast-paced and changing environments, both internally and externally
- Excellent business-oriented verbal, visual and written communication skills; and
- English language fluency, both written and verbal required.
Advantages would comprise:
- Experience on the bench in either molecular diagnostics or CD4 testing
- Previous successful experience supporting national lab systems for MOH, Central Labs or partner/donor-supported labs in resource constrained environments
- Demonstrated growth in responsibility in current or previous roles
- Prior experience working for CHAI preferred
Please apply with CVS and references to: recruitment@clintonhealthaccessinitiative.org
