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The Laboratory Advisor will provide technical expertise and assistance in implementing high quality laboratory services within the care and treatment project at the state level, including laboratory capacity development at project health facility sites.

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Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical support on policies, quality tools and SOPs related to the implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of laboratory services for HIV/AIDS, in collaboration with technical staff within HSCL and at national, state, and local agencies in Nigeria.
• Work with the Senior Laboratory and supply Chain Advisor and State Team Lead, coordinate the design, planning and implementation of the laboratory component of HIV/AIDS care and treatment program with state and community level projects.
• Coordinate HIV viral load/EID coverage which includes but is not limited to VL sample collection, storage, transportation, analysis and result return to healthcare facilities.
• Provide technical assistance in capacity building for laboratory services at health facilities and other settings as appropriate at the state level.
• Support laboratory commodity/ consumables management and reporting.
• Conduct laboratory systems assessment and review of activities to evaluate the quality and consistency of laboratory standards practiced at the state level.
• Work in close collaboration with the state M& E team to collect laboratory data, carry out data DQA and participate actively in monthly M&E meetings.
• Develop lessons learned from activities related to laboratory services and management for HIV/AIDS care and treatment and applies these lessons to improve both existing programs and the design of new programs.
• Remain informed on new findings in the field of Medical Laboratory Sciences that relate to HIV/AIDS care and treatment by reviewing current literature and draws implications from research for program activities. Develop concept papers and research papers to improve and or extend existing laboratory activities at the state level.
• Carry out quality control functions/activities, in collaboration with the state teams, of the labs, including quality control inspections schedules and the collection of quality control records; ensure the availability of quality records documents.
• Review and monitor QA and QC activities of the Laboratory at the state level to determine conformance with established policies, national regulations, or accreditation requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• B.MLS degree or related field with 7-9 years post national youth service experience and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in provision of laboratory support for HIV/AIDS.
• Or master’s degree in laboratory sciences or related field with 5-7 years post national youth service experience and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in provision of laboratory support for HIV/AIDS.
• Experience in the management of laboratory services, particularly health facility-based services, including laboratory quality management systems (QMS), laboratory analysis, and interpretation and reporting techniques based on best practices, Good Clinical Lab Practice (GCLP) practices, Laboratory safety practices and waste management.
• Knowledge of advanced laboratory procedures, diagnosis and management related to HIV/AIDS care and treatment is required with some experience in an international development organization preferred.
• Certification of license to practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist by Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) is required.
• Expertise in Medical Microbiology, Public Health or Molecular Diagnosis will be an added advantage.

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Desired Competencies:

• Knowledge of health and development programs in developing countries in general and Nigeria specifically.
• Excellent working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the following categories of assays: HIV rapid and confirmatory testing, hematology, biochemistry, CD4/CD8, HIV viral load, HIV DNA qualitative test, HIV viral resistance (genotype and phenotype).
• Excellent working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the identification and culturing of different TB species, and drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
• Thorough knowledge of QA, QC and proficiency testing concepts; the ability to apply these concepts to resolve complex conditions in laboratory and administrative settings.
• Knowledge of laboratory service and management issues related to the clinical management of HIV/AIDS, including ART.
• Knowledge of laboratory service and management issues related to Opportunistic infection (OI) and malaria.
• Knowledge of District Health Information System (DHIS 2) and Lafiya Management Information System (LAMIS) is required.
• Laboratory management and training experience and ability to understand full range of issues around the laboratory management of HIV/AIDS, including provision of counseling and testing services.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political, and ethical issues surrounding HIV infection.
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, subcontractors, consultants, and recipients of assistance.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision. A good knowledge of GoN and public health stakeholders’ management.
• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English communication and appreciable knowledge of Hausa.
• Well-developed computer skills.

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