France: Lab Advisor

Context

Solthis is an international medical NGO which aims at improving access to care for people in limited-resources settings. Its action is based on three modes of intervention: Health Systems Strengthening, Operational Research and Advocacy, with methodology based on multilevel & multidisciplinary approach: Care services delivery (medical and paramedical staff, midwives, therapeutic educators and psycho-social workers, etc.); laboratory (technicians, etc.); pharmacy (procurement, logistics supply chain teams, pharmacist, etc.); the health information system; and lastly the coordination bodies.

Project Summary

This position will take place in the Phase 2 of the OPP-ERA Project which is supported by UNITAID (http://opp-era.org).

OPP-ERA’s innovative project aims to improve HIV-1 monitoring patients by increasing access to routine, affordable viral load testing (VLT) and HIV-1 Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It contributes to global momentum, putting in practice UNAIDS 90-90-90 Strategy commitments and the WHO guidelines “Treat All” HIV-1 infected patients. The OPP-era Phase 1 showed that OPPs (Open Polyvalent Platforms, based on real Time PCR for molecular diagnostics) are appropriate for LMICs and are high performing in complementarity to other technologies (integrated platforms and POC).

The open nature of the platform allows for new suppliers of complementary diagnosis reagents of the platform to enter the market increase competition and reduce prices. The project aims to stimulate a sustainable supply of OPP quality components (machines and reagents) and create a shift in the current market dynamics of molecular biology assays.

The project goal is to increase effective coverage of optimized HIV/AIDS-related tests (VLTs, EID) and demonstrate the polyvalent use of OPP (with molecular diagnosis for Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B,) in LMICs. Within the project, we intend to significantly contribute to the scaled-up access to key HIV-related diagnostics in the four project countries (Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea),

The project outcome is an increased use of OPPs for VLT and EID at the global level. By increasing access to quality VLTs and EID and providing tools to help other countries effectively use OPPs, we intend to contribute to the scale up and global use of HIV-1 VLTs on OPPs, broadening the OPP market. In addition, the project will support suppliers to get quality certifications from WHO or Stringent Regulatory Authorities to ensure that OPPs are one of the available VLT and EID solutions eligible for international financing. In this way recipient countries can choose the most appropriate diagnostic solution according to needs. Therefore the market impact is expected on both the supply and the demand side.

Solthis will lead the consortium (composed of ANRS, Sidaction and Expertise France,) in this Phase 2 and will be the focal point for communication and reporting to UNITAID. The OPP-ERA coordination team (7 persons) responsible of the overall project management for the consortium, is therefore based at Solthis HQ in Paris.

Position summary

The Lab Advisor, managed by the Project Director,in close collaboration with the Scientific Director and the Senior Virologist, will build capacities in the 14 laboratories across the 4 countries and provide technical supervision and oversight of project activities (7 labs were already set up during Phase 1).

He/she will support the set-up of 7 new labs, conducting in-country laboratory needs assessments, designing and implementing training programmes for lab staff.

He/she will also provide ongoing support to existing labs, conducting in all labs evaluations, supervising VLT implementation and monitoring its quality, collecting and analysing VL data and quality controls,.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Lab Advisor will:

Support the set-up of 7 new labs:

· Conducting in-country laboratory needs assessments and designing action plans for implementation in collaboration with MOH and others national stakeholders.

· Collaborating with the Procurement team to select and purchase the necessary equipment and related commodities

· Providing training to the technicians and biologists (including the preparation of the training modules and material)

· Ensuring mentoring and supportive supervision.

Monitor activities performed in the 14 Labs (current 7 Labs and 7 new Labs):

· Ensuring :

• Norms and national quality standards are in place

• OPP-ERA quality control systems are followed

• Internal and external quality control (QCMD, CDC) are implemented

• SOPs (inventory stock management, cold chain controls, maintenance of equipment, indicators monitoring and reporting) are elaborated and followed.

· Identifying and analyzing problems in testing infrastructure/process/procedures and propose necessary adjustments, corrective measures and follow up.

· Mentoring on use of database in collaboration with the HQ Data Manager

· Conducing regular follow up monitoring quality of lab activities

o reviewing weekly quality virology indicators

o reviewing quantity of tests performed in parallel to stocks of consumables and reagents

Report and participate to the communication regarding Lab activities and results:

· Elaborating periodic reports on OPP-ERA laboratory indicators and Quarterly overview report sent to COPIL and member countries.

· Participating to International conferences and poster/publication production.

Profile

Education

Medical Biologist (Medicine or Pharmacy) or Master’s Degree in Biology/Sciences and a minimum of 5 years in a relevant field.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

· Experience in medical Laboratories’ strengthening, implementation and quality assessment and Virology and/or Molecular Biology experience will be appreciated

· Knowledge of public health policies and management

· Experience in resource-limited settings

· Fluent in English and French

· Writing and Computer skills: Excel, Word and Power Point …

Personal characteristics

· Excellent communication, diplomatic and reporting skills,

· Strong organizational skills,

· Good analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team and able to prioritize multiple tasks, while driving results.

Conditions

Status:« cadre »

Contract: CDI

Starting date : August 2016

Project duration: 3 years

Salary & benefits : according to professional experience and grid Solthis + health insurance (of which 85% is taken care of by Solthis), Lunch vouchers

Location of work : Post based at Paris HQ with frequent international business trips

Please send your application in English (CV including publications, cover letter, references, dates of availability) to recrutement@solthis.org, quoting reference “Lab Advisor”, by July 31^th, 2016.

Solthis reserves the right to close any vacancy before the advertised deadline. Thank you for your understanding.