Background

The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) is an indigenous medical organization that was established in 1991 as a limited liability not-for-profit Joint-venture between the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Defense and Makerere University Medical School (now Makerere University College of Health Sciences). JCRC is located on plot 101 Lubowa Hill Off Entebbe Road P.O. Box 10005 Kampala. Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) seeks to recruit competent, dynamic, motivated and innovative candidates for the following positions;

Position Overview

The Senior Laboratory Advisor will work in collaboration with the program teams and the project senior laboratory team to provide overall technical oversight for implementation of quality laboratory management systems, development and implementation of accreditation roadmap for project laboratories, strengthening laboratory hub network for the project facilities and optimizing the diagnostic capacity of the project laboratories. He/she will work closely with project leadership and collaborate with laboratory national mechanisms/institutions towards Laboratory systems strengthening in project laboratories.

Main Roles and Responsibilities

• Coordinate with project laboratory team toward establishing and maintaining a strong sample referral and transportation network to improve operational efficiency, improve Turn Around Times (TATs) and improve access to and utilization of laboratory services within the project.
• Conduct assessment of the laboratory capacity in the project facilities and recommend upgrades for infrastructure, equipment, human resource capacity building/training and other health system strengthening in Lab logistics, Laboratory Management Information Systems, and governance among others. Work with the project and project team to implement the recommendations from the assessment.
• Coordinate with project laboratory team to prepare for and mentor sites through a series of accreditation preparatory activities for selected laboratories and ensure maintenance of the acquired accreditation.
• Work with the project to identify platforms for optimization of the diagnostic Network for project laboratories and develop an optimization framework, SOPs and guidelines for the identified platforms.
• Coordinate with the project to assess, plan for and set up a sample repository for the project Public Health Laboratory that will serve as a hub for all project laboratories.
• Asses the infrastructure and equipment needs of the project public health laboratory and Procure as needed. Build capacity for optimal utilization of laboratory equipment.
• Coordinate the skilling of the site-based laboratory teams in provision of quality comprehensive HIV/TB laboratory services, commodity management and quality assurance.
• Work closely with the logistics/Supply chain Advisor to ensure accurate, complete laboratory orders and timely redistributions within the project health facilities.
• Monitor equipment functionality including periodic service, maintenance and repair.
• Monitor Biosafety and waste management practices in laboratories and institute measures to enhance compliance with the standards.
• Develop Laboratory concepts, implementation plans & budgets and Activity reports as per stipulated timelines.
• Contribute to documentation of the best laboratory services practices, success stories, abstracts in the supported districts/region.
• Perform any other duties as requested and assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and experience

• Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science or other laboratory related courses with Project management/Masters in Public Health as an added advantage
• At least 8 years of working with donor funded HIV/TB programs.
• Experience working with local government/districts or military and willingness to work upcountry.
• Excellent command of LIMs functionality, data analytics, data use for decision making
• Excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills
• Computer proficiency in word, excel and power point

Additional Notes

JCRC is an equal opportunity employer. Any attempts of influencing the recruitment process will lead to automatic disqualification. Detailed job descriptions can be obtained from the JCRC Website.

• Coordinate with project laboratory team toward establishing and maintaining a strong sample referral and transportation network to improve operational efficiency, improve Turn Around Times (TATs) and improve access to and utilization of laboratory services within the project.
• Conduct assessment of the laboratory capacity in the project facilities and recommend upgrades for infrastructure, equipment, human resource capacity building/training and other health system strengthening in Lab logistics, Laboratory Management Information Systems, and governance among others. Work with the project and project team to implement the recommendations from the assessment.
• Coordinate with project laboratory team to prepare for and mentor sites through a series of accreditation preparatory activities for selected laboratories and ensure maintenance of the acquired accreditation.
• Work with the project to identify platforms for optimization of the diagnostic Network for project laboratories and develop an optimization framework, SOPs and guidelines for the identified platforms.
• Coordinate with the project to assess, plan for and set up a sample repository for the project Public Health Laboratory that will serve as a hub for all project laboratories.
• Asses the infrastructure and equipment needs of the project public health laboratory and Procure as needed. Build capacity for optimal utilization of laboratory equipment.
• Coordinate the skilling of the site-based laboratory teams in provision of quality comprehensive HIV/TB laboratory services, commodity management and quality assurance.
• Work closely with the logistics/Supply chain Advisor to ensure accurate, complete laboratory orders and timely redistributions within the project health facilities.
• Monitor equipment functionality including periodic service, maintenance and repair.
• Monitor Biosafety and waste management practices in laboratories and institute measures to enhance compliance with the standards.
• Develop Laboratory concepts, implementation plans & budgets and Activity reports as per stipulated timelines.
• Contribute to documentation of the best laboratory services practices, success stories, abstracts in the supported districts/region.
• Perform any other duties as requested and assigned by the supervisor.

• Excellent command of LIMs functionality, data analytics, data use for decision making
• Excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills
• Computer proficiency in word, excel and power point

• Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science or other laboratory related courses with Project management/Masters in Public Health as an added advantage
• At least 8 years of working with donor funded HIV/TB programs.
• Experience working with local government/districts or military and willingness to work upcountry.