Technician Jobs at Catholic Relief Services and other companies

JOB DETAILS:
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identify is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as part of our staff and as partner’s people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. Since 2000 CRS Zambia has been implementing several programmes to support vulnerable Zambians. Its recent programming areas include nutrition, agriculture, food security, HIV/AIDS, WASH, financial inclusion, and early child development.

JOB SUMMARY:
Catholic Relief Services Zambia is seeking to employ a laboratory advisor to support HIV care and treatment grant that will support Zambia’s HIV response through targeted faith-based sites to achieve UNAIDS Fast Track goals for epidemic control: 90% diagnosed, 90% on treatment, 90% virally suppressed. The project is set to scale up HIV treatment activities in Zambia to increase the availability, accessibility and quality HIV treatment services using the community approach.

ROLES AND RESPONSABILITIES:
Reporting to the Provincial Coordinator, the Laboratory/Continuous Quality Improvement Advisor (L/CQIA) will offer support for the projects laboratory systems encompassing technical teams and facility-based staff/structures, as well as offer technical support to all project technical and community teams ensuring high interventions standards are maintained. The Laboratory/CQI Advisor will support and contribute to the development of high-quality health laboratory systems in supported sites for the delivery of comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment and care programs by leading teams to increase access to laboratory testing services, ensure service utilization by ensuring that lab supplies, equipment and staff conform to laid down lab standard operating procedures for service delivery. He or She will support the implementation of a functioning laboratory Quality Management System, quality control measures making sure the quality of results and safety targets are attained and sustained. The Lab/CQI Advisor will offer technical support to project and PHOs technical/community teams ensuring high interventions standards are maintained. The Lab/CQI Advisor will work with treatment teams at PHOs and their supported faith-based health facilities motivating them to test and implement quality improvement initiatives for HIV treatment at health facility and community levels.
The Lab/CQI advisor will collaborate with the PHOs to ensure that quality assurance and quality improvement (QA/QI) standards are maintained and that their supported faith-based health facilities scale up QI interventions at all levels of treatment provision.

KEY RESPONSABILITIES:
• Support the development of action plans to address the capacity needs designing actionable, and sustainable laboratory services strengthening strategy for the project
• In close collaboration with MOH at national provincial and district levels ensure that there are mechanisms available for strengthening access to quality lab testing at supported sites
• Ensure supported sites have adapted and instituted MOH good laboratory practices, standard operating procedures and protocols for service delivery
• Support the implementation of laboratory capacity building programs including strategies based on supportive supervision and performance assessment and monitoring systems.
• Train and mentor laboratory staff at supported sites in collaboration with district laboratory focal teams to strengthen technical assistance as part of the roll out of new testing guidelines as outlined in the 90:90:90 goal in Zambia
• Ensure supported sites expand and strengthen laboratory Quality Management Systems (QMS) Quality Assurance (QA), Externa Quality Assurance(EQA), and accreditation.
• Contribute to the development of work plans and procedures; support the implementation of action plans related to laboratory Quality Management System activities.
• Will provide continued technical support to the laboratory staff at all supported facilities to improve quality assurance programs including HIV rapid tests, CD4, VL, EID, TB, Hematology, and Chemistry.
• Work in collaboration with clinical teams to ensure adequate support to strengthen access for quality lab services by putting in place functional referral networks that guarantee timely feedback and linkage of clients to treatment
• Provide advisory and support to health facilities for the recruitment and training of dedicated laboratory personnel to ensure adequate staffing.
• Strengthening the supply chain management system for test kits and reagents
• Assess lab infrastructure needs and work with facility teams to address the gaps
• Analyze monthly lab reports and work with the project team to make informed decision towards service delivery
• Support reporting through contribution to monthly, quarterly and annual activity reports in collaboration with the projects monitoring and evaluation/strategic information team
• Document best practices for replication and betterment of client services
• Support PHOs to set up operational quality improvement systems and tools at their supported faith-based health facilities.
• Continuously support continuous quality improvement (CQI) teams ensuring that they are functional within the PHO’s supported health facilities
• Work with PHOs to motivate CQI teams to carry out small tests of Change (STOC) to innovatively implement treatment concepts for treatment scale up in line with the 95:95:95 goal
• Training health care workers and built their capacities to operationalize quality management
• In collaboration with PHO’s clinical teams monitor quality improvement initiatives to hold gains/best practice for continuum of care
• Translate CQI interventions into programming evidence to inform the design of CQI implementation strategies and sustain continuing good treatment practices.
• Empower health care workers through the development of continuous quality improvement (CQI) capacities at supported sites ensuring that staff have a sense of ownership of health care improvement
• Work with community treatment partners to ensure that CQI interventions are rolled down to support treatment scale up as part of the community approach to treatment and care
• Support the documentation of all quality improvement initiatives and outcomes to inform programming
• Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
• The applicant should preferably hold a Diploma in laboratory or health sciences or public health
• 5 years’ experience working in testing and techniques essential for the diagnosis and monitoring of the following (but not limited to): HIV/AIDS, TB, STIs, OIs and other infectious diseases.
• Experience managing laboratories with a good grasp of lab standard operating procedure necessary for HIV service delivery
• Ability to transfer skills by way of training, mentorship, staff motivation and working in teams
• Hand on experience in developing QA/QC systems for large laboratories and or health facilities at national, provincial, district and community levels and in conducting quality audit on Quality Systems
• A good grasp and understanding of the Zambian health system and the Zambian HIV response including awareness on the implication of the test and treat strategy towards laboratory services in the country
• Working knowledge in Quality Management and Monitoring Systems in Zambia
Required Languages – English
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications
• Excellent English writing skills.
• Experience and abilities in capacity strengthening – developing curricula and facilitating trainings.
• Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge sharing networks.
Agency-wide Competencies
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship
Supervisory Responsibilities: Oversee and supervise all project staff for EPIC 3-90

Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party (Operations), Senior Lead Technical Advisor, Senior SI/M&E Advisor, Senior Technical Advisor/Capacity strengthening and CQI, Povincial coordinator, Provincial SI/M&E Advisor and Provincial Health Offices,
External: Host country government agencies, donor agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations.
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our
commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Note: By applying for this job, you understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, you understand that if you are a successful candidate, you will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and your personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate your behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

JOB DETAILS:
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identify is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as part of our staff and as partner’s people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. Since 2000 CRS Zambia has been implementing several programmes to support vulnerable Zambians. Its recent programming areas include nutrition, agriculture, food security, HIV/AIDS, WASH, financial inclusion, and early child development.

Job Summary:
The EPIC 3-90 project is an integrated team that brings all the consortium members under one senior management team to improve efficiency and communication. The Senior Lead Technical Advisor is responsible for providing supervisory and management support to clinical and technical staff. The Senior Lead Technical Advisor reports to the Chief of Party. S/he sets standards for technical/clinical issues and provides overall technical/clinical support to the program. S/he provides oversight of coordination; monitors program clinical implementation; maintains relationships with project partners and key stakeholders in project clinical implementation; contributes to development of annual country operation plan (COP) submission, provincial health offices (PHOs) system strengthening, strategic plans and reports; develops/utilizes systems to track program technical quality. The primary function of this position is to strengthen the technical/clinical capacity of supported PHOs and Faith Based Health facilities under PHO’s support.
The DCOP – Technical will be a Senior Lead Technical Advisor (SLTA) for EPIC 3-90 program to be based in Lusaka, Zambia. The Epic 3-90 program is funded with funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the Center for Disease Control (CDC), The consortium members, led by the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), includes the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) and the Chreso Ministries.
CRS, as the lead agency for EPIC 3-90 is required to support the programming, planning and core technical assistance aspects of the program as well as to train and advise. This will be achieved through site visits and capacity-building trainings to ensure that Federal Awards are used for authorized purposes and to achieve performance goals in compliance with the laws and regulations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The DCOP – Technical/ Senior Lead Technical Advisor will primarily be responsible for the technical/clinical strategy and implementation of the project. S/he will support the Chief of Party in communication with PHOs, development of the Country Operating Plan (COP), planning annual targets and ensuring appropriate use of resources. The SLTA will also coordinate the technical, Laboratory and clinical services to the PHO’s supported faith-based health facilities. S/he will assist identify areas of concern within the project and work with the program team to find viable solutions. S/he sources, supervises and mentors technical teams. S/he will work with the M&E team to ensure continuous quality improvement. The position reports directly to the Chief of Party and will work closely with the project Deputy Chief of Party (Operations) so that the budget corresponds to planned activities. The Senior Lead Technical Advisor is part of the project Senior Management Team.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Program Technical/Clinical Management
• Serve as point person for technical/clinical aspects of the project
• Carry out technical/clinical assistance visits to PHO’s supported faith-based health facilities, ensure Program implementation is progressing as planned and provide on the job training where appropriate in order to improve program quality.
• Oversee activities of all the technical teams, identification and lead all technical/clinical trainings and mentorship activities, aiming to improve PHO’s capacity in HIV services implementation at their faith based supported health facilities.
• Coordinate with the Senior Technical Advisor for capacity Building and continuous quality improvement (CQI) to identify gaps through regular review of data and propose solutions to PHOs.
• Contribute to the timely and accurate completion of all monthly narrative reports.
• Contribute to the compilation of the mid-term and final reports on EPIC 3-90 project and lessons learned
• Support the integration of Sustainability/Transition plans to the activities of PHOs.
• Assist the Chief of Party on Program and consortium related activities and forums
• Serve as a technical/clinical resource person for the project.
• Program Development
• Foster linkages between EPIC 3-90 project and with other community stakeholders
• Develop resource manuals for EPIC 3-90 project support technical/clinical programming
• Support cooperation with consortium members in the management of the project and other community development activities related to the project.
• Identify potential areas of concern within the project and work with the project team to find viable solutions.
• Strengthen project aspects of main areas including Prevention of Mother to child transmission, community ART, HTS, VMMC, Pediatric ART, TB/HIV, VL coverage and retention.
• Strategic Issues
• Assist with the harmonization of project activities Identify and document case studies, best practices and lessons learnt
• Network with key HIV/AIDS Zambian agencies and organizations.
• Staff Training
• Assist with staff training and development
• Provide new staff member orientation as needed
• Conduct in-house workshops as requested

Basic Qualifications
• Have a medical degree, MD preferred, or an advanced degree in a public health or medically related field.
• Experience in HIV and AIDS programming in resource-poor settings at the field level and providing technical assistance to partner organizations.
• Excellent analytical skills,
• Proficiency in MS Office suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook Express and Internet Explorer. SPSS and Epi-info, a plus.
• Five years’ relevant post-qualification experience, familiarity with USG procedures.
• Good command of spoken and written English.
• Self-guided, strong organizational and planning skills; Ability to work independently and under pressure
• Excellent communication, coaching and facilitation skills
Required Languages – English

Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party (Operations), Consortium Members (CHAZ and Chreso) and Provincial Health Offices (PHOs).
External: Host country government agencies, donor agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations.
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Note: By applying for this job, you understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, you understand that if you are a successful candidate, you will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and your personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate your behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

JOB DETAILS:
ABOUT US
Right to Care is at the vanguard in supporting and delivering prevention, care, and treatment services for HIV and associated diseases. We work with government and communities to find pioneering solutions to build and strengthening public healthcare.
We embrace a strong entrepreneurial culture and focuses on innovation and the use of technology to enhance services, address skills shortages, and deliver quality healthcare outcomes. Our areas of expertise include HIV and TB care and treatment, pharmacy automation, medical male circumcision, and cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Right to Care Zambia has been awarded a five (5) year project funded by the USAID through the PEPFAR mechanism. The USAID – Action HIV project aims to reduce HIV mortality, morbidity and transmission by achieving the UNAIDS and PEPFAR goal of 95/95/95 HIV treatment coverage by providing comprehensive HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment maintenance services in Luapula, Northern and Muchinga provinces of Zambia. The USAID Action HIV project will work closely with and in support of the Ministry of Health.

ABOUT THE POSITION
Request to Hire No.: RTCZ22-092
Date advertised: 8th November, 2022
Closing date: 11th November, 2022
Position: Laboratory Technologist
Location: Northern Province (Luwingu)
No. of Vacancies: 01
Contract duration: Until 30th September 2023
Contract type: Fixed Term
Job grade: TBA
Reporting to: Provincial Laboratory Coordinator
Contact email: Vacancy11@righttocare.org
Contact Person: Vacancy 11

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience:
• Grade 12 Certificate
• Diploma in Biomedical Sciences
• Registration with the Health Professions Council of Zambia
• ART and Essential Medicines Logistics Management course and Strong knowledge of HIV/AIDS
• 3 years public health sector experience.
• 3 years’ experience in general Laboratory practice involving major disciplines of Laboratory sciences, i.e. Haematology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Parasitology and Virology.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences
• 3 years’ experience in the Use and Maintenance of the major ART Testing and monitoring Equipment.
• 2 years’ experience in the operations of the National Procurement, Ordering and Storage Systems of ART Commodities
• 2 years’ experience with the donor funded projects

TECHNICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
• Problem solving skills
• Good Communications skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good interpersonal skills
• Personal management skills
• Organised
• Computer Literate

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS
• Able to perform, Basic ART Laboratory related Haematology, Clinical Chemistry, Serology and Immunology, accurately with minimal supervision
• Provide Technical guidance to the Clinical staff on how to collect correct specimens from patients.
• Provide guidance to the Clinical staff on what type of Specimens to be collected and what type of containers to be used in the performance of the commonly performed Tests in the Clinical Laboratory
• Exhibit competent in the use of essential Haematology, Biochemistry, Serology and Immunology instruments approved for use in the Public Health institutions.
• Maintain and document all maintenance activities performed on the essential Laboratory Equipment found in the Public Health Institutions.
• Able to carry out basic trouble shooting measures on laboratory equipment failing to perform according to the expected performance.
• Ensure that all Basic Laboratory Standard requirements, which includes Internal Quality Controls (IQC) and External Quality Control (EQA) activities, are always performed on all tests performed in the Laboratory, according to the standard guidelines and are well documented
• Works with District Lab Systems and eLab support roving/teams to ensure VL samples are correctly taken and transported from points of care
• Ensure adequate supplies of Lab commodities including test kits, urine dipsticks etc
• Ensures timeous distribution of Lab results for patients
• Ensures compliance with good laboratory practices
• Carry out basic trouble shooting on all Internal Quality Control results failing out the acceptable standards

DISCLAIMER
By applying for the above-mentioned position, you consent to Right to Care to conduct qualification, ID, criminal and reference checks (internal and external) which forms part of the Company’s recruitment policy and procedure. Should you not receive a response to your application from Right to Care within one month of this advert being placed, kindly consider your application as being unsuccessful.
Only applicants meeting the strict criteria outlined above will be contacted as part of the shortlisting process. Right to Care reserves the right to withdraw the vacancy at any time for whatever reason.
Right to Care is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
Right to Care Zambia is aware of fraudulent activities by certain individuals claiming to be representatives of the organization.
Be advised that Right to Care does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and as such Right to Care Zambia assumes no responsibility for any announcements or activities by such individuals or entities.