PHIA Project – Laboratory Manager | - 2015

In partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ICAP will provide substantial technical support for Population-based HIV Impact Assessments (PHIA) in specific PEPFAR-supported countries. Each PHIA will define the status of the national HIV epidemic, guide allocation of resources based on evidence, and integrate capacity building of country stakeholders in the design, conduct, analysis, and use of PHIAs.

The MOH is planning to conduct a PHIA, with substantial technical support and involvement of CDC and ICAP, to estimate the population-level impact of the national HIV prevention, care and treatment programs in Uganda. In addition to providing important programmatic information to the MOH and relevant stakeholders, this assessment of the national HIV program is of great value to HIV researchers and public health experts around the world.

The Laboratory Manager, PHIA Project will be responsible for overseeing the laboratory component of the PHIA within Uganda. Works closely with the in-country sub-contracted lab organization, CDC, MoH, and survey teams to ensure that laboratory samples are correctly collected, processed, and transported and that results are returned in a timely manner.

More details on ICAP’s PHIA Project may be found at:

http://icap.columbia.edu/news-events/detail/icap-to-lead-large-populatio…

This position is grant funded.

Location: Kampala, Uganda

Major Accountabilities

Assist with development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the implementation of all lab related aspects of the PHIA Project
Hire, train and supervise a team of laboratory officers
Review the development and implementation of QA/QC procedures for point of care HIV rapid testing and PIMA CD4 point of care testing conducted by the laboratory subcontractor in the study
Review the development and implementation of QA/QC procedures for the collection, processing and storage of other study-related lab specimens by the survey subcontractor in the study including for HIV recency, HIV RNA, and HIV DNA PCR for EID
Ensure laboratory specimen data are correctly captured in the study database and assist with routine data analysis
Assist with the interpretation of laboratory results from the PHIA Project and provide feedback on ways to improve/streamline lab procedures and systems
Assist the PHIA team to develop strategies to ensure timely reporting of results to study participants
Review weekly laboratory reports provided by the laboratory subcontractor, and assist the PHIA team with preparing regular progress reports
Represent ICAP in discussions with national stakeholders and assess ways in which national capacity to process samples can be developed and strengthened
Liaise with laboratory technical staff in ICAP NY Headquarters (HQs), and CDC Uganda
Perform other related duties as directed

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field

Experience, Skills & Minimum Required Qualifications

Minimum five (5) years of experience managing a clinical or research laboratory
Extensive knowledge and experience in design, implementation and management of laboratory services in HIV programs
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of procurement procedures and equipment/supply/stock tracking and inventory
Demonstrated experience with lab-related data management systems
High level of proficiency in relevant computer applications, particularly Excel
Excellent interpersonal, management, and communication skills

Travel Requirements

May require periodic trips to partner sites, conferences and/or off site meetings within Uganda (requiring overnight stay of up to two days)