Stop TB Partnership - Country TB Laboratory Specialist

Under the guidance of UNOPS / STBP’s Team Leader, Country and Community Support for Impact, and in close coordination with USAID, the Specialist will provide technical expertise and management support to strengthening of TB laboratory diagnostic system in Tajikistan. Specific objectives of the assignment are to: i) support the NRL in the implementation of WHO-recommended rapid techniques for diagnosis of TB and DR-TB; ii) strengthen the country’s capacity in procurement and management of laboratory supplies; iii) identify the problems and bottlenecks in TB laboratory management and facilitate implementation of corrective measures; iv) improve coordination and referrals across different levels and institutions within the laboratory network, as well as collaboration between TB diagnostic services and treatment services.

The Specialist is expected to undertake the following key functions:

1. Assessment and monitoring

• Assess laboratory management system and coordination between the Ministry of Health, Republican Center of Lung Diseases, NRL and the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), and develop recommendations for improving the structure, communication and coordination.
• Conduct needs’ assessments related to quality management systems; diagnostic algorithms; laboratory protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs); procurement and supply management; infection control. Develop a plan of actions based on the result of this assessment;
• Analyze the laboratory management information system, laboratory modules of different platforms and ensure their proper use;
• Assess the specimen transportation system and develop recommendations for its improvement;
• Review laboratory equipment maintenance processes, norms and schedules and provide recommendations on further steps for improvement;
• Follow-up on recommendations provided by different partners and experts (FIND, GLI/ELI, SRL) with regards to the NRL activities and performance;
• Conduct regular visits to the regions to monitor the progress of development of TB laboratory network in the country.

2. Procurement and supply management

• Review the adequacy of the supply chain management systems and procedures used for TB laboratory network; identify the PSM related challenges that propose appropriate measures to ensure continuous availability of equipment, reagents, laboratory tools and consumables;
• Assist in improving the full cycle of the PSM system – product selection, quantification TB laboratory needs, preparation of procurement lists with proper specifications, quality assurance, storage, inventory management and rational use of commodities;
• Support the national laboratory coordinator in rational distribution of procured goods including equipment, consumables and reagents, for both routine and training purposes;
• Provide appropriate support in registration and procurement of pure substances for drug susceptibility testing (DST) for new drugs (bedaquiline, delamanid, clofazimine, linezolid), and provide technical support for ensuring quality of DST investigations.

3. Capacity building

• Based on the findings of the training needs assessment, develop a detailed training plan in cooperation with the NRL manager and laboratory specialists from partner organizations;
• Assess the biosafety and infection control practices in TB laboratories and perform training of staff on this topic;
• Assist in capacity building of the national laboratory trainers, conduct training-of-trainers (ToT) as required;
• Provide technical support for the installation and use of GxAlert information system, monitor the data flow and quality regularly.

4. Coordination

• Closely coordinate the technical support provided with the Ministry of Health, management of the Republican Center of Lung Diseases, Project Implementation Unit of the Global Fund TB project, NRL, NPHL, Medical Department in the penitentiary system, as well as with the Stop TB Partnership’s TB Advisor for Tajikistan.
• Participate in the TB program coordination meetings, transition planning meetings and relevant technical working groups;
• Ensure that the activities are implemented according to the workplan scope and timeframe; participation in joint monitoring and supervision visits with local and international partners as required;

5. Other support

• Provide assistance in interpreting the results of the pilot program on Xpert ULTRA cartridges in selected districts of Sogd region, and support the NTP to take informed decisions and develop policies on their further programmatic use;
• Assist the NRL and the national laboratory coordinator in developing and implementing strategies for improving the communication and coordination between TB clinicians and laboratories;
• Jointly with the STBP’s resident TB Advisor in Tajikistan, provide technical inputs for development of the national TB laboratory strategic plan, and for the next TB application to the Global Fund.

• A minimum of five years of progressive work experience in bacteriology laboratories, including provision of technical and management support to TB laboratories of reference level. 
• Experience in procurement and management of laboratory's supplies would be considered a strong asset.

Desired:

• Work experience in management of TB laboratory services in countries with high burden of drug resistance.
• Experience with the introduction of rapid WHO-recommended laboratory diagnostic techniques for TB and DR-TB in Eastern European and Central Asian countries.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: IICA-2 (P3 equivalent)
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. 

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.