NAME OF PROJECT: Africa CDC Investment Financing Project

Assignment Title: Biosafety and Biosecurity Specialist

Job Location, Contract Duration and Remuneration

• The specialist will be based at EPHI in Addis Ababa, .

• Duration of contract:  Until  December 31, 2025 with possibility of extension based on availability of budget and performance

• Salary is based on work experience and educational level.

1. Background

The Government of Ethiopia has received financial support from the World Bank to undertake key activities under the Africa CDC Regional Investment Financing Project aimed at strengthening regional infectious disease detection and response systems. Being one of the implementing agencies of the project, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute is planning to hire a Biosafety and Biosecurity Specialist with high qualifications and experience. The objective is to support the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) in designing, establishing, and implementing biosafety and biosecurity (BSBS) policy components including supporting the high containment laboratories to comply with the BSBS requirements nationwide. 

1. Job Summary

This position will be responsible for all program biosafety and biosecurity activities. S/he will be expected to advise, and support national and international efforts to biorisk management and work closely with all program staff, to provide technical guidance and capacity building on implementing the BSBS policy, standards, guidelines, and manuals. The Biosafety & Biosecurity Advisor serves as a subject matter expert and mentor related to biosafety and biosecurity training, and best practices. S/he will coordinate the training of facility-based staff on injection safety, infection prevention and control, and waste management. As well as improve biorisk management practices from the field to the laboratory; and support reasonable and safe practices on pathogens of security concern.

Specific Tasks / Responsibilities

• Advise biosafety and biosecurity policies, standards and requirements,

• Advises the development of biosafety and biosecurity related legislation, guidelines, manuals, and SOPs

• Review and provide inputs on BSBS guidelines, manuals, and protocols to ensure local protocols align with global practices 

• Provide technical expertise on biosafety and biosecurity issues, including local and international regulations 

• Provide training on BSBS, Advise the development and provision of biosafety-related training courses, including basic biosafety and biosecurity risk assessment and ISO 35001 Biorisk management and ISO 15190  and other courses to be developed as needed.

• Develop process improvement initiatives on biosafety and biosecurity programs

• Support professional development: Provide ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support to direct reports 

• Make recommendations: Interpret findings and make recommendations for improvements of biosafety and biosecurity programs

• Provides technical expertise in the application of routine biosafety and biosecurity and safeguards pursuant to country needs. 

• Support the implementation of and compliance with all aspects of the biosafety and biosecurity program following applicable regulations.

• Assists the Ethiopian Select Hazardous Pathogens and Toxins (ESHPT) Regulatory Office establishment

• advise the revision of Ethiopian Select Hazardous Pathogens and Toxins lists identification and revision 

• Assists with the maintenance of an electronic inventory of biohazardous materials at the institute. 

• Assists in the assessment and verification of laboratory biosafety levels.

• Advises technical guidance to laboratory, administrative, and management personnel.  

• Supports collaboration on multidisciplinary Health & Safety (EH&S) programs, including biological, chemical, and physical hazard exposure monitoring, hazard communication 

• Advises the monitoring and management of the laboratory safety program. 

• Provide support and technical assistance to oversight the enhanced laboratory biosafety and biosecurity capacity. 

• Advise the Biosafety and Biosecurity Certification Program implementation 

• Support the biosafety and biosecurity team in identifying gaps relating to the assessment of risk, proper equipment, laboratory waste handling, sample packaging/transport, and disposal of potentially contaminated items.

• Advise biosafety and biosecurity risk assessment and management system implementation of laboratories. 

• Promote biosafety and biosecurity principles to the biological laboratory community

• Work collaboratively with national and international stakeholders to provide technical guidance in Biosafety and biosecurity program

• Conduct and prepare report annual performance evaluations of biosafety and biosecurity program activities

Reporting Arrangement

The Specialist will report to the Director LCBD/Biosafety and Biosecurity Division. 

Job Requirements

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in Health/Medical /Clinical Laboratory Sciences or related fields.

  • PhD in Health/Medical /Clinical Laboratory Sciences or related fields. Post-graduate degree preferred

  • Minimum of 10 years of Proven experience in national/international for MSc and 7 for PhD years in biosafety and biosecurity, lab operations, related training, and a health laboratory setting.

  • Having training experience in biosafety and biosecurity/ biorisk management. ISO 35001.

  • Having practical skills in different laboratory testing methodologies, particularly in health laboratories.

  • A highly qualified and recognized expert in the field of biosafety and biosecurity

  • Experience in national/international public health is highly preferred

  • Experience in developing technical reports and guidance documents

  • Ability to perform tasks independently with minimal supervision

  • Ability to motivate, mentor, and lead others by creating a positive work environment

  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

  • Ability to interact with local and international organizations 

  • Ability to communicate complex science information to team members

  • Well-organized, detail-oriented, and excellent in time management

  • Fluency (written/verbal) in Amharic and English languages

  • Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and statistical software (e.g., SPSS, STATA).

How To Apply

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

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