Medical Virologist (Scientist)

The World Bank & Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation

East Africa Public Health Laboratory Networking Project

Re-Advertisement

Vacancy Announcement

Applications are invited from qualified candidates for the position shown below.

Background:

Kenya is among the four countries participating in the East Africa Public Health Laboratory Networking Project (EAPHLN) funded by the World Bank (IDA). This five year project aims to support a network of efficient, high quality, accessible public health laboratories for the diagnosis and surveillance of TB and other communicable diseases.

The project seeks to recruit one (1) Medical Virologist (Scientist) to be based at the National Public Health Laboratory Services (NPHLS) in Nairobi to provide technical inputs to the laboratory services in the country in the areas of virology.

Scope of Work:

The overarching objective of the assignment is to provide technical support to the Head of National Public Health Laboratory Services and the respective affiliated laboratories to ensure efficient planning and timely implementation of project laboratory activities.

Specific responsibilities of the Virologist will include:

1. Contributes towards quality assurance performance within the department including taking part in all relevant external quality assurance programmes. The main priority of which will be facilitating the laboratories in achieving full accreditation with international recognized standards.

2. Establish and maintain systems and procedures for smooth implementation and operationalization of the project laboratory activities including strategic planning, assessment and introduction of new diagnostic methods and forward planning for laboratory equipment and consumables requirements.

3. Undertake regular visits to project laboratories and other agencies supporting implementation (infrastructure unit, procurement and disposal units) to identify implementation bottlenecks and bring them to the attention of the Project Manager for prompt resolution.

4. Participate in Laboratory stakeholder’s meetings and focal person for Kenya in the regional laboratory networking technical working group

5. Ensure adequate quality assurance procedures are maintained with respect to samples processing, reagent preparations and equipment use.

6. Play a leading role in the development, review and implementation of laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).

7. Supervise the performance of the complex virological tests in addition to supervising specific units in the laboratories.

8. Participate in regular mentorship to laboratory technologist based at the satellite laboratory sites supported under the project. In addition regular trainings facilitation such as good clinical and laboratory practice (GCLP), laboratory safety, quality control and other relevant training to maintain acceptable standards of laboratory operations

9. Conducting continuous laboratory education to existing staff at national and district level on new technologies including current trends in virology techniques.

10. Establish a research environment at the NPHLS and contribute actively to the operational research agenda.

Qualifications and Experience:

Desired Education: Master’s Degree in Medical Virology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Science in any medical sciences from a recognized university.

Desired Experience: Minimum of five years of work experience in a busy public health laboratory, preferably with supervision and management exposure in the area of virology.

Must have a proven track record with at least 2 scientific publications published in key medical journals in the field of virology.

Desired Skills:

• Strong quantitative skills and demonstrated capacity to perform outstanding original work.
• Demonstrated ability to handle working relationships with senior officials and technical experts in Government and NGO’s.
• Familiarity with implementation of quality laboratory management systems and laboratory accreditation and/or ISO certification processes.
• Familiarity with conventional and virology techniques.
• Outstanding communication skills, verbal and written, in English.
• Proficient in computer applications and database management
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills and team player.
• Ability to design studies, analyze data and presentation of manuscripts on laboratory activities conducted at the National Public Health Laboratory Services.

Reporting:

The virologist will report and work under the overall supervision of the Project Manager (Head, Department of Disease Prevention and Control) and the Head of National Public Health Laboratories.

Deliverables:

• Monthly and Quarterly progress reports summarizing key activities undertaken during the month, problems and remedial actions.
• Steering the National and district satellite laboratories to full accreditation and two star accreditation status respectively during the project life.
• Satellite laboratories compliant with regionally and national quality assurance processes (internal and external) including laboratory standard operating procedures.
• Strengthened linkages between laboratory and disease surveillance activities.

Duration of Contract:

• Initial 2-year contract extendable depending on performance.

Duty Station:

The virologist will be based in Nairobi and there will be frequent travel in Kenya to satellite laboratory sites as per request by the Project Manager.

Compensation:

• A competitive salary will be offered as per Government of Kenya norms for public officers
• Salary Scale: Job Group P
• Other benefits (medical and house allowance).

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should forward their applications indicating the advertisement and position on the subject line of letter and envelope.

A detailed Curriculum Vitae indicating work experience, current remuneration and copies of their testimonials, a daytime telephone contact, names and telephone contacts of three referees to reach the undersigned not later than 15th August 2011 to:

The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Public Health & Sanitation
Afya House, Cathedral road
Room 314

Address:

P.O. Box 30016-00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-20-2717077

Supported by the World Bank – EAPHLN Project