KENPHIA II Central Laboratory Coordinator at The Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity (CIHEB)

Overall Job Function:

The KENPHIA II Central Laboratory Coordinator will coordinate activities at the central laboratory and work closely with staff at the National HIV Reference Laboratory (NHRL) to conduct key survey related laboratory activities. Under the supervision of the KENPHIA II Senior Laboratory advisor, the KENPHIA II Central Laboratory Coordinator will be responsible for organizing the receiving of KENPHIA II specimens from the satellite/mobile laboratories, coordinating central laboratory testing, return of results to participants and maintenance of KenPHIA II sample repository.

Specific Responsibilities and Duties:

• Ensure specimens from the satellite/mobile labs are well received and quality checks performed.
• Ensure specimen management and storage at the central laboratory using Laboratory Data Management System (LDMS) and comparable Laboratory Information Management system (LIMS).
• Coordinate of routine serology and molecular testing at the central laboratory including but not limited to Geenius Confirmatory Assay, Lag avidity EIA, HIV TNA PCR, and Viral load on all eligible KenPHIA II specimens.
• Manage result dissemination according to KENPHIA II SOPs for both In-country and Outsourced tests
• Maintain QC processes related to KENPHIA II testing (serology and molecular testing)   as per KENPHIA II SOPs.
• Assist in resolution of HIV discrepancy results through additional testing and return of results in collaboration with the Lab Data Lead.
• Submission of prompt daily, weekly and monthly reports to KENPHIA II Senior laboratory adviser
• Collaborate with the project coordination team, Laboratory Advisor, field laboratory manager, procurement and logistics officers, satellite laboratory supervisors and field survey teams in all activities involving the KENPHIA II central laboratory.
• Ensure personnel within the central laboratory adhere to health and safety procedures in the laboratory.
• Coordinate proper disposal of central laboratory bio-hazard wastes.
• Manage KENPHIA II supplies at the Central laboratory.
• Assist in all KENPHIA II laboratory activities as required and coordinate other duties as assigned by the KENPHIA II Laboratory Advisor.
• Coordinate Preparation and distribution of Dried Tube Specimens (DTS) and other Quality Control (QC) Materials required for Laboratory personnel Proficiency Testing.

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills:

Required Education.

• Masters in Medical Laboratory Sciences or Biomedical sciences with 5 years’ relevant experience in molecular technologies( Polymerase chain reaction{PCR},Viral load{VL}, Early Infant Diagnosis{EID}), Serology and sample management (sample collection, reception, processing, storage, results transmission and documentation)in same field.

Required Technical Experience: 

• Minimum 5 years’ work experience in a busy molecular biology laboratory with preference to HIV viral load testing and HIV EID testing.
• Clear knowledge of laboratory Quality Management Systems (QMS) with training ISO trainings especially ISO 15189.
• Experience in carrying out clinical trials and Health surveillance studies more especially in HIV
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with fluency in English required.
• Strong computer skills (MS Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint at minimum; preferred proficiency with statistical Software such as SAS and SPSS).
• Attention to detail and high accuracy.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times
• Ability to lead and work with a diverse team
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and strong problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility to work after normal working hours and on weekends with significant travel outside of duty station.