United States of America: Technical Advisor of Laboratory Services, "Military HIV Research Program"

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HJF is seeking a Technical Advisor for Laboratory Services to support the US Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) located in Bethesda, MD. HJF provides technical and programmatic support services to MHRP.

The incumbent will provide technical support in the execution and monitoring of laboratory activities across program and research for the Department of International HIV Prevention and Treatment (IHPT). IHPT initiatives are executed overseas (OCONUS) by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) with funding provided by President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In this role, the Technical Advisor will provide support to PEPFAR laboratory leads and will collaborate where needed with Behavior and Prevention, Care and Treatment, Strategic Information and Finance/Admin teams to ensure program activities are planned and executed with quality, accountability, fidelity and measurable impact.

Responsibilities:

Under the direction and supervision of the Technical Director for Laboratory Services the Technical Advisor will:

1. Provide technical assistance and make recommendations to MHRP international PEPFAR programs to improve quality, access and utilization of HIV diagnostic services with focus on quality assurance and proficiency testing, Viral load and Early Infant Diagnosis cascade, sample referral and result return systems, recency testing implementation, GeneXpert utilization for HIV/TB, lab-clinical interface, laboratory operations, lab quality management systems and accreditation.
2. Track and triage laboratory program activities, lab operations, performance, action items and follow-up; this includes routing information and tasks appropriately to Technical Director, lab leads or other channels as appropriate.
3. Support development, review, timely submission and tracking of laboratory work plans, budgets and expenditure reports.
4. Assess the technical quality and fidelity of implementation of laboratory activities in field programs by conducting site visits and reviewing programmatic data.
5. Build capacity of laboratory leads to monitor program performance, analyze and interpret program data routinely including review of facility-level data to identify gaps, develop data-driven solutions and SOPs to ensure MHRP meets PEPFAR program targets.
6. Create a platform for collaboration and sharing of best practices across programs and with other technical areas where relevant.
7. Maintain knowledge of evolving public health laboratory technical standards, guidelines and program requirements including national and international guidelines/recommendations for HIV care, treatment and diagnosis.
8. Support the development, review and delivery of presentations, tools, reports, protocols, abstracts, manuscripts and other documents deemed essential.
9. Represent MHRP at meetings, conferences and workshops as directed and approved.
10. Participate in the planning and coordination of program calls, annual laboratory-clinical meetings or any other approved technical meetings.
11. Work towards developing technical expertise and ownership of a selection of programmatic areas within the laboratory services portfolio.
12. Perform tasks as assigned to support execution of MHRP PEPFAR laboratory program strategies and initiatives.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of laboratory operations and laboratory quality management systems and standards.
• Experience with HIV/AIDS, PEPFAR or Global Fund programs, public health or international development required.
• Field experience preferred.
• Demonstrated capacity for intercultural and interpersonal relations.
• Must be fluent in oral and written English with excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to travel internationally (estimated 30% time).

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree laboratory sciences/molecular biology or a related field required.

Minimum Experience/ Training Requirements: 6 - 8 years’ experience implementing public health laboratory/diagnostic programs; international experience required.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, addresses, education, and credentials, a criminal background check, drug screening, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check.

HJF is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

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