• Category: Health Care

• Employment Type: Contract  

• Salary: As per the organizational scale 

• Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension

• Place: Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa

• Number needed: One

• The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) National TB Reference Laboratory offers proficiency testing (PT) services for tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic laboratories throughout Ethiopia. This includes the production and distribution of PT panels, which are essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of TB diagnostics in these labs. The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) National TB Reference Laboratory is currently working towards achieving accreditation of its proficiency testing service as per the ISO-17043 standard. This will enable EPHI NTRL to provide traceable proficiency testing services for TB diagnostics within the country with overarching aim of being a Center of Excellence for the TB Supranational Reference Laboratory (SRLN-CE). Therefore, EPHI is seeking a TB Laboratory Proficiency Testing (PT) Officer/Expert for the National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL). The employee will assist in implementing and maintaining ISO-17043 standards for proficiency testing production and will be responsible for overseeing the overall quality of the PT production process. Experience with WHO-recommended rapid TB diagnostic tests and TB culture is essential for this position. In addition experience on External Quality Assessment (EQA) activities such as PT production and distribution is advantageous. 

• Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension

• Place: Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa

• Number needed: One

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of ISO 17043 standard at the NTRL ensure it is accredited. 

• Oversee the overall quality of Proficiency testing production.

• Maintain and monitor the status of the proficiency testing program.

• Support the implementation of Quality Management System for PT production at the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL)

• Coordinate and manage the procurement of supplies required for proficiency testing production including ATCC strain with respective stakeholders

• Ensure use appropriate environmental conditions and equipment for production of PT item 

• Design, plan, and produce Proficiency testing( PT) items for TB laboratory diagnostics that meet requirement of ISO-17043 standards 

• Monitor proper labelling, packaging and storage of produced proficiency testing panels

• Assess and validate the homogeneity and stability of  produced Proficiency testing panels before distribution

• Coordinate the distribution of proficiency testing to participating TB diagnostic facilities

• Design statistical methods and data management tools for PT production

• Support digitalization of PT provision for all TB diagnostic tests methods available in the country

• Support all participating laboratories to meet the acceptable PT performance score in all test methods they participated through regular supervision and technical support

• Ensure the coverage of PT scheme to all TB diagnostic test methods and to all TB diagnostic facilities available in the country

• Support the decentralization of PT provision to the regions and accreditation of Regional Reference Laboratories to ISO-17043.

• Set and regularly monitor Proficiency testing  production quality indicators and present  report regularly to team leader and technical working group established for PT performance review

• Monitor, coordinate and communicate the  proficiency testing response rate and feedback

• Develop documents required for Quality management system implementation, PT provision, and accreditation to ISO-17043 

• Manage, review  and control PT production related documents and records

• Develop annual plan and budget for TB laboratory PT provision activities 

• Compile the PT performance report and present for respective stakeholders.

• Provide regular mentorships and technical assistance for PT participating sites 

• Provide support to RRLs to implement external quality assessment (EQA) program

• Standardize training materials on proficiency testing ,technical and programmatic aspects 

• Communicate and collaborate with PT participants in all PT related activities

• Evaluate the overall PT program and Advise strategies to improve PT provision for TB laboratory network

• Perform other duties as required

Job Requirements

• Master’s degree in field of laboratory or microbiology with experience of 8 years and above

• BSc. degree in medical laboratory science with 10 years’ experience  and above 

Required skills and attributes

• Experience in proficiency testing production and coordination

• Experience in Ethiopian TB diagnostic laboratory network

• Experience in TB diagnostic tool implementation and evaluation

• Experience in providing technical guidance and support to regional and peripheral laboratories

• Experience in TB culture and DST is an additional asset

• Strong interpersonal skills in facilitation and stakeholder engagement/coordination

• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking and ability to address complex issues and concepts clearly, and concisely.

• Excellent computer literacy such as Microsoft Office, internet and email 

• Fluency in written and spoken English

• Familiarity with data management software's (SPSS, STATA, Epi-Data, Epi-Info etc.)

Report to: National referral & reference laboratory directorate

How to Apply

Note  Interested applicants can register in Online through THIS LINK send their CVs and relevant documents at the address given below within 07days from the first appearance of the announcement

Remarks: Please attach copies of transcripts, academic degree or recommendation letters together with the application. If not attached the copies you may be not short listed.