Deputy Lab Director – DLSP MR 11

KEMRI / CDC Research Program

Opening date: 16/11/2011

Vacancy No: K131/10/11

Program description: This program is a collaboration between Kenya Medical Research Institute and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention whose remit is to conduct research in malaria, HIV and other diseases.

Due to its continued growth, the Global Disease Detection (GDD) Division program has a vacancy in the Diagnostics & Laboratory Systems (DLSP).

Position: Deputy Lab Director – DLSP MR 11

Location: Kisumu

Reporting to: Laboratory Director - DLSP

Essential Requirements:

• PhD in Microbiology from a recognized university.
• Minimum 5 years of senior level experience in microbiological laboratories, 3 years of which should be in clinical or research laboratory
• Proficiency in computer usage especially Microsoft packages.
• Must be a registered member of the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technician and Technologists Board

Desired Qualities:

• A high level of competence in laboratory tests.
• Teaching and mentoring experience will be an added advantage.
• Excellent laboratory skills, including skills in assessing new technologies.
• Good leadership qualities and managerial abilities.
• Good communication skills, interpersonal relationship skills, training skills, computer skills, data skills, collaborative, cooperative and coordination skills.
• Must use good judgment in making the best use of available equipment and personnel; interact diplomatically with counterparts and staff of collaborating institutions.

Job Summary:

Serves as the Deputy Laboratory Director for all activities under CDC-Global Disease Detection work in the Level III (IEIP) Bio-Safety Lab Kisumu.

Manages and supervises technical operations at the Diagnostics & Laboratory Systems in Kisian under the leadership of the GDD-DLSP Laboratory Director.

This will involve providing technical guidance on all issues relating to diagnostic and testing.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise operations of the DSLP in Kisumu, including capacity building.
• Under the direction of the Laboratory Director, supports GDD implementing partners in strengthening existing laboratory infrastructure and service delivery through technical assistance in needs assessment, planning, quality assurance and training.
• Institutionalization of good laboratory practices in specimen collection & transportation, documentation, testing, reporting, internal quality control processes, procurement and commodities/supplies management based on international requirements for medical laboratories.
• Ensure that all DLSP projects meet national ethical and CDC IRB approval.
• As a laboratory procedures expert, provide professional input into planning and/or programming exercises while recommending changes in service provision and/or location of services.
• Maintain a library of laboratory documents, training materials, guidelines and research protocols used to support DLSP lab projects and be responsible for security of the library.
• Design and participate in specialized studies as required by the Laboratory Director.
• Continually research and update on improved testing methodologies and equipment.
• Coordinate with GDD Epidemiologists and Lab Director to ensure timely reporting of results.
• Collaborate with Laboratory Director to ensure coordinated response to any suspected disease outbreak in region.
• Supervise staff working in the DSLP in Kisumu, evaluate and appraise the lab staff.
• Assist in the recruitment and training of Assistant Research Officers and Laboratory Technologists for DSLP labs in Nairobi and Kisumu.
• Perform periodic assessment visits to sentinel sites to assess specimen collection, storage, and shipping.

Other Duties as assigned:

The incumbent will participate in other tasks related to the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of CDC-GDD activities in Kenya as requested by the Lab Director and GDD Director, CDC Kenya.

The incumbent will deliver reports, summaries, papers, oral and written presentations, as requested.

The incumbent will conform to operational practices and procedures already implemented by CDC Kenya, and to be implemented in the future.

Terms of Employment:

Contract for 1 year renewable as per KEMRI scheme of service.

Probation period for the first 3 months.

Remuneration:

Compensation is negotiable within a relevant grade, based on educational levels, relevant experience and demonstrated competency. The salary scheme is based on the KEMRI scales plus supplemental amounts.

Applications are due no later than: 28th November 2011 to:

Human Resource Manager,
KEMRI/CDC Program,
P.O. Box 1578,
Kisumu.

Or e-mail to recruitment@kemricdc.org

Website: www.cdckemri.org

Note: Applications MUST include copies of certificates & Transcripts.

Applications without these will be disregarded

Internal Candidates interested in applying for this position are strongly advised to access an internal candidate applicant form available in CDC intranet print and process it through their project managers and attach it before forwarding applications to HR

KEMRI/CDC IS an equal opportunity employer and does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process including application, interview meeting and processing of offer letter. If asked for a fee, report such request immediately to 0701112145.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.