Job Title: Microbiologist
Directorate: International Health Strengthening Project Pakistan
Responsible To: Senior Advisor in PHE
Deadline to Apply: July 20, 2021
Base/Location: National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, Pakistan with frequent travel to other provinces
Country: Pakistan
Hours Per Week: 40 Hours
Job Years of Experience: 5 years
Job Type: Fixed-term consultant contract
INTRODUCTION
Public Health England is supporting the development of an Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system in Pakistan. There is already a strong in-country team of public health specialists. There is an in-country lead supported by health advisors, data analysts and other public health professionals. As part of IDSR, the team work closely with the National Institute of Health (NIH), Federal Health Ministry, with Health Departments in KP other Provinces in Pakistan. The in-country team is supported by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from the UK, who support data flow and public health laboratory network developments.
PHE is working with the National Institute of Health and other Public Health Laboratories in Pakistan on building capacity, capability and establishing a network of laboratories. This is being done as part of PHE’s International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project in Pakistan.
This is an ODA-funded project undertaken by PHE to improve global health security, through increasing compliance with the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR),. The project aims to contribute to action at national and regional levels, leading to measurable strengthening of public health systems in the selected countries. Through strong partnerships with national public health institutes and Health Departments. The approach is to work alongside partner countries, to build public health capacity and capability, whilst fostering ownership and long-term sustainability.
JOB SUMMARY
PHE is looking for an enthusiastic individual to take forward the development of Public Health Laboratories networks in Pakistan.
- Contributes to work plan development, quarterly and annual reports and other reports summarising project implementation
- Contribute to the laboratory quality assessment programme at federal and national level
- Maintain close working relations with NIH, provincial laboratories, development agencies like FCDO, CDC and WHO
- Work collaboratively with the surveillance teams to link LIMS system with the DHIS2 dashboard
- Facilitate the development of quality standards in provincial laboratories.
- Facilitate the meetings of the IDSR governance group.
- Facilitate/undertake audit of laboratories as and when required.
- Work with PHE in Uk to roll out the NEQAS scheme in Pakistan provincial laboratories.
- Facilitate the NVAP work on genomic sequencing in Pakistan.
- Achieve milestones in the PHE work-plan for implementation of the PHL network and any other related task assigned as per needs of the project.
- Support the further development and management of established Public Health Laboratories ensuring excellence in practice, service delivery and appropriate scientific and technical performance at all times.
- Support documentation of laboratory activities, especially the completion of the laboratory strategy and implementation plan.
- Support the development of management processes such as supply chain monitoring plan for the laboratories.
- Support the development of policies and strategies that ensure effective and efficient day-to-day operational work.
- Engaging widely with NIH laboratory service users to seek input into setting strategic objectives and identifying new ideas and improved ways of working.
- Participating in the activities of relevant NIH committees, working groups and other expert groups as required.
- Supporting the development and delivery of innovative services and alternative ways of working to ensure continuous improvements in service delivery.
- Contribute to any cross-programme workforce development initiatives as and when required.
- Contribute to development of IHR In-country team, supporting colleagues as work requires and as directed by Country Lead.
- Participate in planning and delivery of both Training of Trainers (ToT) and end-user training.
- Other duties may be required from time to time, including responsibilities which require working on weekends and holidays.
- Help provincial health departments to develop public health laboratories network within the province.
- Facilitate the Small Group for Public Health Laboratories technical group meetings.
JOB RELATIONSHIPS
- Reports to: Country Lead
- Assignments from: Country Lead, SMEs, Project Managers
- Work as part of the PHE in-country team
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS
Qualification:
- Postgraduate qualification in Microbiology, FCPS, PhD, M Phil and/or international fellowships recognised by the PMC(PMDC)
- Member of relevant professional body
- Extensive experience of working in a diagnostic/testing laboratory
- In depth understanding of relevant laboratory policies, standards and guidelines, including those relevant to quality control/assurance and accreditation processes
- Leadership and management experience including target setting, selection, training and development
- Knowledge of the Public Health Laboratories, National Institute of Health and the wider public health sector and laboratory network in Pakistan
- Experience of partnership working - linking with staff across varied organisational functions to address inter-dependencies and ensure alignment
- Experience of working with Laboratory Information Management System
- Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management system
- Demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace
Desirable:
- Additional qualification or relevant experience public health or other relevant field or equivalent experience
- Good knowledge of laboratory management
- Experience of participation in research and development projects
- Experience of leading change management
How to apply:
Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and references from last 05 years to jobs@contech.org.pk. All candidates who are short-listed for interview will be notified via email.