Job Description

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Laboratory Quality Officer will report to the SC+PASS Technical Advisor/SCM and shall be accountable to the Senior Laboratory Technologist of the MOH. This role is responsible for the effective management of all SC+PASS Project health facility level laboratory services and supply chain management activities. Under direct technical supervision, he/she will be responsible for effective facility level support supervision, mentorship, capacity building and inventory management support to ensure timely reporting and sustained availability of quality laboratory products. He/she shall collaborate with partners at sub-national level to support the laboratory services improvement, supply chain management, and strengthening of quantification processes for laboratory products. He/she is also responsible for support and capacity building in health commodity forecasting, quantification, ordering, storage and use across all supported districts and health facilities.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
General

• Providing technical assistance to regional and districts teams to ensure supported sites/districts meet national laboratory standards
• Contribute in the development of the monthly, quarterly and annual facility level and SC+PASS reports as may be required.
• Coordinate the facility level laboratory supply chain supervision and logistics data quality audits and systems strengthening activities.
• Support the effective utilization of laboratory logistics information at facility level to ensure effective and sustained availability of pharmaceuticals and health products.
• Perform any and all other duties assigned by the Project Director and supervisor.

Specific Responsibilities

Laboratory products supply chain management

• Conduct regular mentorship and support supervision visits to all targeted health facilities in the country on laboratory products supply management.
• Coordinate the facility level laboratory supply chain and logistics management activities to ensure convergence and complementarity of efforts with partners
• Conduct regular trainings on use of LMIS tools and related documents to improve availability of laboratory products at health facility level.
• Lead the planning and conduct of facilitating trainings on laboratory products inventory management using the MoH approved and SC+PASS project supported tools
• Support facilities on proper stock management and calculation (Stock cards) for all laboratory products
• Design and conduct regular laboratory supply chain data quality assessment activities in collaboration with implementing partners and health programs at MoH
• Identify and develop action plans to ensure improvement in facility level quantification and reporting quality for laboratory products
• Contribute to national level quantification exercises and data validation
• Coordinate the improvement in the quality of the paper-based LMIS tools at health facility level.
• Work with the MIS Associate to effectively roll-out appropriate eLMIS tools across all health facilities.

Laboratory services and quality management

• Ensure that all participating testing sites perform well on EQA program by providing supportive visits and mentorship to low performing sites.
• Support the national efforts to ensure product availability in line with the essential health care package.
• Support the MoH in development and implementation of guidelines and procedures for harmonization of diagnostic platforms and methodologies.
• Providing regular information to MoH CDGEC/NACP on any challenges associated with HIV Rapid test kits availability at the supported regions.
• Ensure Lab manuals, guidelines, job aids, logbooks, registers, work sheets and forms are utilized appropriately and ensure availability of reagents and other lab supplies.
• Prepare laboratories to meet performance indicators as set by MoH and partners
• Assist in the development of SOPs for implementation, site assessment follow-up and corrective action and quality assurance procedures.
• Support validation/verification of new diagnostic methods/new diagnostic kits.
• Ensure lot to lot verification of test kits at warehouse level, before they are distributed to end users.
• Participate in the approval of selected lab products for in-country use.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Experience and Qualifications

• Degree in medical laboratory sciences or related fields preferably logistics and supply management or equivalent.
• Degree in Medical or Bio-medical Laboratory Sciences; any additional qualification and professional course will be an added advantage.
• Trained in SLMTA or CLSI mentorship program for accreditation
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in similar or related role
• Experience with conducting training programs desirable but not a must.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Adaptable and willing to change gears as project demands change
• Good command of the English and language
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work well in a team

Personal Style and Behavior

• Driven and a self-starter
• Self-motivation, a strong work ethic and enthusiasm.
• Understanding and interest in HIV and health.

About the Organization

Through the TSP Program, Baylor-Swaziland and Baylor-Malawi are partners in continuing the Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) program in Swaziland. The new project, Swaziland Supply Chain and Pharmaceutical Assistance for Sustainable Systems (SC+PASS) seeks to improve the delivery and consistent use of HIV, TB and other reproductive health commodities and essential pharmaceutical services to achieve desired HIV, TB and SRH health outcomes.

Interested individuals can send an application letter addressed to the Executive Director. Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation (BCMCF-SD), P.O. Box 110, Mbabane.

All applications should be accompanied by a cover letter, CV and three professional references. Faxed and hand delivered applications will not be accepted and only short- listed candidates will be contacted.

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