Laboratory Advisor

Job Title: Laboratory Advisor

Location: Arlington, VA

Posting Date: 12/16/2013

Deadline Date: 01/02/2014

Description:

The Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM) brings together multiple private sector, non-government and faith-based organizations that are among the most trusted names in supply chain management and international public health and development in the world. PFSCM has been recognized internationally for its work to save lives through stronger public health supply chains; the partnership won two supply chain distinction
awards from the European Supply Chain and Logistics Summit in 2010 and was a finalist in the 2012 Supply Chain Innovation Award Competition sponsored by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and SupplyChainBrain.

PFSCM is implementing the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) contract for USAID as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). With offices in more than 20 countries and over 800 dedicated staff members around the world, SCMS is helping to improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in some of the countries most severely impacted by the pandemic. SCMS procures essential medicines
and supplies at affordable prices; helps strengthen and build cost-effective, reliable, secure and sustainable supply chain systems; and fosters coordination of key stakeholders.

In addition, PFSCM implements other supply chain management projects with other client/donors as appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Laboratory Advisor will support SCMS field offices and Ministries of Health, USG PEPFAR (USAID/CDC/DOD), as well as additional external collaborators to provide technical support to advance SCMS’s efforts in promoting and implementing the ForLAB laboratory quantification tool. Additional responsibilities will include country level forecasting and quantification, supply chain assessments and evaluation, sample referral network, instrument optimization and maintenance support. The Laboratory Advisor will also assist countries in improving national supply chains for the management of laboratory reagents and consumables, to support HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs. These
efforts are aimed at contributing to the overall strengthening of health systems as envisaged in the Global Health Initiative. Activities will focus on assessing the level of existing harmonization efforts and promoting activities to advance the Maputo Declaration of 2008. The Laboratory Advisor may participate in global laboratory technical working group meetings and international conferences to promote international best practices in laboratory
logistics. In working on these tasks, the Laboratory Advisor is guided by the Principal Laboratory Advisor.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Work with the Field Program Support team to develop a results framework with process and outcome indicators for monitoring and evaluating the results of laboratory network system interventions and equipment maintenance strategies.
2. Implement SCMS established laboratory supply chain standards and methodologies in technical assistance to support SCMS systems strengthening efforts at the country level. Key areas of focus will include supporting the establishment of country inventories for existing instrument platform coverage, enhanced tiered laboratory coverage development, rational use based on nationally recognized clinical guidelines, forecasts and supply plans driving cost-effective procurement, as well as adequate instrument maintenance coverage.
3. Support field offices in liaising with local Governments, local USAID/CDC, USAID/Washington, CDC Atlanta, USG, WHO, ASLM, CHAI and SCMS Country teams in promoting Harmonization and Standardization efforts.
4. Participate in the SCMS Laboratory logistics TWG, as well as appropriate external technical collaboration with other partners such as DELIVER, CHAI, SPS, USAID, CDC, WHO, and others.
5. In collaboration with field office staff and the Principal Laboratory Advisor, collect information on innovations and best practices and positive outcomes in lab logistics systems strengthening being implemented at the field level. Contribute significantly to project reporting and publications in the area of lab logistics for internal and external audiences that highlight standards, innovations and best practices implemented in SCMS focus countries.
6. Serves as the lead SCMS point of contact for the ForLAB quantification tool rollout in SCMS supported countries.
7. Provide short-term technical assistance in the areas of Laboratory Commodity Quantification using the ForLAB tool, laboratory supply chain assessments, and evidence based instrument placement `1and sample referral networks.
8. Serve as the lead person responsible for managing and maintaining in-country instrument coverage and vendor performance under SCMS established Asset Management Systems (AMS).
9. Represent SCMS at international meetings and on expert committees as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. A minimum of a Master’s Degree with three or more years, or a Bachelor’s Degree with five or more years in medical or clinical laboratory technology.
2. Minimum of three years experience working in clinical laboratory services, experience with tests, equipment, reagents and techniques required for the diagnosis and monitoring of HIV, TB, and Malaria are essential.
3. Experience with stock management, quantification, procurement or supply chain management tasks related to lab reagents and other consumables or other health commodities required.
4. Experience working in resource constrained countries.
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
6. A proven ability to work as part of a team and to be self-managing.
7. Suitable computer skills with spread sheets, word processing, and presentation applications.
8. Available to travel internationally to resource limited countries (up to 40%).

The following qualifications are desirable:

• Experience with national level laboratory organizational structure (laboratorynetwork).
• Current knowledge of existing developments in the field of laboratory supplies and technology.
• Experience with statistic software, (SAS, Epi Info, SPSS, etc.)
• Minimum of one year of experience managing laboratory commodities and instrument maintenance is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and statistical aptitude.
• Working proficiency in French, Spanish and/or Portuguese.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters online by 01/02/2014.

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