SSBH is recruiting new team members to plan, manage and deliver technical and material support for the Government of Nepal’s (GoN) response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Number of Vacancies: 1

Location: Nepalgunj, with extensive travel in Karnali Province and Lumbini Province     

Supervisor: Senior Technical Advisor, Health Emergency Response 

Reporting to the Senior Technical Advisor - Health Emergency Response, the Laboratory Specialist will be responsible to coordinate with the laboratories and staff in the SSBH operational area to plan, manage and deliver technical support for the COVID-19 laboratory testing system and operations. This position falls under the one-year SSBH Health Emergency Response Program, and is contingent on continued availability of funding. Due to the emergency nature of this program, job descriptions, locations and scope of responsibilities may be subject to revision as priority support needs evolve during implementation.

The Laboratory Specialist will be based out of Nepalgunj, with 60% of time spent on field travel throughout the SSBH operational area. 

Specific tasks include but are not limited to:

• Liaise with the National Public Health Laboratory to identify standards, established guidelines and protocols to follow in designated COVID-19 laboratories in SSBH operational areas. 
• Oversee distribution and correct installation of laboratory equipment procured as in-kind support, as well as allocation of testing supplies, in accordance with current and projected needs.
• Provide guidance and support to technicians in the designated COVID-19 laboratories to help strengthen laboratory services and ensure that optimal throughput of tests and strict adherence to standards and protocols. 
• Support MoSDs, Provincial Laboratories and other laboratories to prepare necessary plans to improve sample collection, transportation, storage and testing systems. 
• Build capacity of laboratory staff, health workers and other support staff to improve sample collection, transport, storage and testing. As required, orient SSBH staff on necessary laboratory related matters.
• Liaise with the National Public Health Lab to help establish and maintain a routine External Quality Assurance system for COVID-19 labs in Karnali and Lumbini Provinces. 
• Provide technical support in developing standard operating procedures and guidelines for testing antigen, or nucleic acid, antibody specific to SARS-CoV-2, polio and other infectious agents. 
• Provide technical guidance to strengthen and implement laboratory infection control (IPC) protocols.
• Develop microbiological and IPC compliant procedures for COVID-19 specimen point-of-care collection, handling, dispatch, and processing as per the national guidelines, and provide training to the laboratory health workers in the laboratory and frontline workers collecting and dispatching the samples. 
• Strengthen laboratory surge capacity by providing technical assistance as relevant for interventions (such as) extending working hours, enhancing laboratory physical space, streamlining testing protocols, offloading other routine specimen processing, or rationalizing resource use
• Provide technical assistance to integrate new COVID-19 specimen collection or diagnostic options as they become available.
• Perform the regular laboratory work in the deployed laboratory while not travelling.

Skills Prerequisites: 

• Master’s Degree (minimum) in biological or laboratory sciences or relevant field within a clinical or diagnostic discipline or specialty in other relevant field.
• More than six years of relevant professional experience working with infectious diseases and/or laboratory systems strengthening. 
• Ability and demonstrated aptitude to provide training and technical assistance for quality improvement interventions to raise standards and quality of laboratory services
• Experience working with ministries, WHO, international NGOs preferred
• Excellent writing, computer use, management and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills, initiative, and good judgment.
• Ability to independently plan and execute complex tasks while addressing daily management details and remaining organized and focused on long-term deadlines and strategy.
• Willingness to work in Karnali and Lumbini Provinces, with at least 60% of time spent in field locations.

SSBH is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and culture. Individuals from minority groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process. Canvassing at any stage of the processes shall lead to automatic disqualification.