Graduate Laboratory Program Intern at the Management Sciences for Health (MSH) - Niger

The Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Since its founding in 1971, MSH has worked in over 150 countries with policy makers, health professionals, and health care consumers to improve the quality, availability and affordability of health services.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Laboratory Program Intern

Job ID: 13-9670
Location: Niger
Group/Office: HPG
Dept/Unit: GEN (General)
Project/Program: A512 - Nigeria CaTSS
Reports To: State Team Leader

Overview

• The key objective for the intern is to support the Niger State Field Office Team in supporting laboratory program activities and profiling laboratory innovations from the field office in reports.
• Under the tutelage of the Sokoto State Laboratory Systems Specialist, provide the technical support for the Care And Treatment for Sustained Support (CaTSS) laboratory program in the state in a manner that strategically support the maintenance and uninterrupted delivery of quality HIV/AIDS and TB care and treatment services integrated into the host state health system, through technical assistance to be provided in close collaboration with the Government of Nigeria (GoN) at the state, and local government levels in Niger state.

Specific Responsibilities

• He/She will assist the Sokoto State-based Laboratory Systems Specialist in tracking and reporting on optimization of EID and Viral Load services, Laboratory Revolving Funds, laboratory services integration and accreditation preparedness effort of selected health facilities within Niger State
• Manage the state-specific database of laboratory activities, including but not limited to QA, TB, CD4, and EID and Viral Load optimization activities by working closely with both Country and other field office technical staff
• Support sample transportation (Sputum, Viral load, CD4, DBS for both EID and viral load) from sites without equipment and from sites with unexpected equipment breakdown
• In collaboration with the State Laboratory Quality Management Task Team (SLQMTT), provide support for centralized HIV rapid test quality improvement initiative (HIV RTQII) and periodic testers’ evaluation
• Document key Laboratory activities from Niger State and share same with the Country Office Laboratory Team. Liaise with the Country in identifying key successes and originating draft success stories for reviews.
• Provide support to facilities on data collection, Monthly and Quarterly reports for timely submission to country office
• Support the State Laboratory Quality Management Task Teams and health facilities and continuous quality improvement (CQI) programs
• Ensure that all MSH-supported laboratories carry out quality assurance functions, including but not limited to IQA, EQA and PT activities, and the availability of quality documents and records.
• Support facilities to ensure that laboratories implement GoN-approved diagnostic protocols, quality control procedures, significant biosafety, and biosecurity practices.
• Ensure equipment maintenance and the availability of laboratory reagents and consumables to minimizes service interruption for all investigations.
• Establish strong collaboration with the Laboratory Directorate in the SMOH, State Hospital Management Board/Bureau for increased state government ownership and funding for laboratory system improvements that lead to sustainability.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of B.MLS/B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Science with at least one-year post internship experiences including HIV, tuberculosis and other opportunistic infections testing and laboratory monitoring of clinical status of people living with HIV
• He/She will have the basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and good laboratory practices in Nigeria
• Registered with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), and licensed to practice in Nigeria
• Familiarity with local and WHO/AFRO Accreditation process is a plus.

Personal Attributes:

• Organized, objective-oriented, methodical individual with strong motivation for service, with the zeal to learn.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision with good computer and analytical skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, flexible and open to extra working hours if necessary.
• Good communication skills and ability to express views and ideas clearly.

Application Closing Date
26th July, 2017.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online