Laboratory Manager - Malawi PHIA, Malawi

ICAP at Columbia University, in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC), is planning to conduct a population-level HIV indicator assessment ( PHIA) to estimate the population-level impact of the national HIV prevention, care and treatment programs in Malawi. The goal of this project is to identify at the national level key HIV-related outcomes, including HIV incidence, HIV prevalence, CD4+ count distribution, prevalence of suppressed HIV viral load, as well as prevalence of high risk behaviors and uptake of HIV-related services. In addition to providing important programmatic information to the MoH, the assessment of the national HIV program is of great value to HIV researchers and public health experts.

Reporting to the ICAP Project Manager for the Malawi PHIA, the Laboratory Manager will be responsible for overseeing the laboratory component of the PHIA. The Laboratory Manager will also work 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.

This position is grant funded.

Note: The successful candidate will be a locally hired employee of the ICAP in Malawi office with a competitive salary and benefits package.

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 HIV rapid 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
• 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 Project Manager with preparing regular progress reports
• Represent ICAP in discussions with national stakeholders, such as the National Referral Laboratory, 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 Malawi
• 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 knowledge and/or experience 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

• Periodic international travel to Zimbabwe to support the ZIMPHIA project staff, as needed

Application Instructions

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to: icap-jobs-malawi@columbia.edu.

Please indicate "Laboratory Manager – Malawi PHIA" in the subject line.

Please do not attach any certificates when submitting on line. Only short listed applicants will be contacted.

Columbia University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, religion, creed, national and ethnic origin, age, citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran, or any other legally protected status.