RECRUITMENT NOTICE FHI360 SENEGAL

Job Title: Specialist in laboratory and diagnostics-Animal health

(Laboratory and Diagnostics Specialist-Animal health)

Position location: Dakar

Duration: 6 months renewable

Job type: Local fixed-term contract

Job summary:

The Laboratory and Diagnostic Specialist – Animal Health of the STRIDES (Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems) program will provide strategic and technical support and advice for the design, implementation and monitoring of STRIDES activities in Senegal. This position will provide high-level technical support to national and regional ministries to strengthen and sustain the core capabilities of the GHS, ensuring compliance with international frameworks and standards.

The Laboratory and Diagnostic Specialist – Animal Health will provide technical advice to support staff and projects related to STRIDES activities regarding laboratory and diagnostic components for animal health in Senegal. Under the responsibility of the Laboratory Advisor, he/she will lead and manage the development, implementation and monitoring of strategic and technical initiatives aimed at strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic capacities for zoonoses. He/she will provide technical advice on issues, challenges and strategies related to strengthening laboratory capacities in Senegal and improving access to quality diagnostic tests for zoonoses.He/she will work closely with key stakeholders to ensure the provision of technical assistance to achieve efficient, high-quality and reliable zoonoses laboratory services. He/she will lead the development of guidelines and policies for activities to strengthen the laboratory diagnostic network, provide technical leadership at the national and regional level, and contribute to the development of project specifications, development of work plans, monitoring and evaluation systems, technical reports and other administrative elements of the project.high quality and reliable. He/she will lead the development of guidelines and policies for laboratory diagnostic network strengthening activities, provide technical leadership at the national and regional level, and contribute to the development of project specifications, development of work plans, monitoring and evaluation systems, technical reports and other administrative elements of the project.high quality and reliable. He/she will lead the development of guidelines and policies for laboratory diagnostic network strengthening activities, provide technical leadership at the national and regional level, and contribute to the development of project specifications, development of work plans, monitoring and evaluation systems, technical reports and other administrative elements of the project.technical reports and other administrative elements of the project.technical reports and other administrative elements of the project.

Technical requirements:

• Support the implementation of zoonotic disease prevention, detection and response activities in accordance with the STRIDES Senegal work plan, including those related to priority pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential, with emphasis on implementation implementation of multi-sectoral approaches at national and subnational levels
• Monitor and update protocols, instruments, datasets, manuals, training materials and reports related to zoonotic disease diagnostic services and technical laboratory areas.
• Work closely with national, regional and local counterparts to provide technical assistance necessary to achieve project objectives and targets, primarily related to strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic services.
• Leads or contributes to the development and writing of technical notes, reports or other documents necessary to facilitate research, best practices, policies and procedures.
• Contributes to the implementation of multi-sectoral approaches at national, regional and local levels, strengthening coordination between the human health, animal health, wildlife and other relevant sectors through groups technical work and platforms.
• Provides technical support for scaling and optimizing new diagnostic tools.
• Promotes the linking of epidemiological data, laboratories and genomic surveillance, in close coordination with the local organizations concerned
• Provide mentoring to support capacity building of project team members and subcontractors.
• Lead or contribute to capacity assessments of diagnostic networks and laboratories, including communication of findings and recommendations.
• Contributes to research initiatives aimed at improving laboratory practices and diagnostic results.

Project design/implementation :

• Encourages the adoption and integration of new diagnostic technologies, tools and methodologies based on country needs and priorities for project implementation.
• Works closely with the country’s project management team, subcontractors and stakeholders to align laboratory and diagnostic activities with overall project objectives.

• Assists the laboratory advisor in developing and monitoring the implementation of the technical components of project work plans, as well as associated budgets and resources, with emphasis on activities and sub-activities related to laboratory and diagnostic components.
• Conducts an analysis of project implementation to identify areas for improvement and proposes appropriate technical strategies to manage risks, overcome obstacles and advance project objectives.

• He monitors project activities, results and deliverables, identifies problems and reports them to management.

Support for clients/funders :

• Establishes productive working relationships internally and externally by fostering collaboration with national and international organizations, government agencies, academia and other relevant entities.
• Participates in the preparation and writing of work plans, presentations and reports for the U.S. government and other key stakeholders.
• Participates and represents the project in meetings and forums, as needed.

Operations management (Finance, HR, etc.) :

• Ensures project activities are consistent with work plans, leveraging technical expertise to guide project implementation.

• Monitors project activities, results and deliverables and reports regularly to management.

Project/program reports :

• Writes reports and documents summarizing project results and data set analysis, including technical evaluation findings.
• Writes technical documents (e.g. summary reports, presentations, manuscripts) relating to project activities, results and impacts.

Quality assurance :

• Gains in-depth knowledge of quality standards through a formalized system that documents processes, procedures and responsibilities to achieve quality policies and objectives.
• Coordinates and directs activities to meet donor and regulatory requirements.
• Performs other tasks assigned to him.

Applied knowledge and skills:

• In-depth knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures related to laboratories and diagnosis of zoonoses.
• Experience in developing specifications with deliverables for subcontractors, consultants, etc.
• Extensive knowledge of laboratory quality assurance and biosecurity/bioprotection standards.
• Proficiency in database management software and online search tools required.
• Sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of political, contextual and ethical issues in assigned areas.
• Ability to express oneself clearly, professionalism and ability to communicate clearly and positively with customers, partners and staff.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Proven excellent project management skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with others.
• Proven proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite required.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors and prepare reports.
• Ability to resolve issues and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as analytical skills, in English and French

Problem solving and impact:

• Addresses moderate to complex issues that require consideration of various factors.
• Demonstrates good judgment in choosing methods and techniques to determine appropriate measures.
• Identifies and raises issues with management.
• Maintains relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Supervision exercised/received:

• Provides technical support to laboratory and diagnostic components within STRIDES and can supervise other lower level staff members.
• Reports to the STRIDES laboratory advisor.

Training :

• Master in Microbiology, Laboratory Animal Sciences (MLAS) or its international equivalent in Biological Sciences in a medical laboratory discipline or specialty.
• Doctorate in veterinary medicine (DVM) desired.

Experiments :

• Typically, at least 6 years of relevant experience in the field of infectious disease diagnosis and/or laboratory systems strengthening is required.
• Previous work experience on U.S. government-funded projects and good knowledge of U.S. government regulations and reporting requirements are preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of laboratory practices, diagnostic techniques, quality assurance systems and laboratory information management systems in the human, veterinary and/or environmental health sectors.
• Knowledge and understanding of infectious diseases, their transmission and the application of methods and procedures to safely control infectious materials.
• Proven ability to design, implement and manage laboratory strengthening initiatives.
• Proven experience in capacity building activities, such as training and mentoring laboratory staff.
• Proven experience working with government agencies is strongly desired to support strategy development, implementation plans and decision-making.
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Usual physical requirements:

• Classic office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours in front of a computer screen and perform repetitive tasks on the keyboard.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift/move up to 2.3 kg.

Technologies to use:

• Desktop/laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e. Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), mobile phone/mobile technologies and standard office equipment.

Travel requirements:

• National travel representing between 10 and 50% of working time

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restrictions the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be constructed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employwhereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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