About the job

• Job Type : Full Time

• Industry : Public Health/Medical

• Education Level : Senior level

Job Description

About

Announcement Number: Dar es Salaam-2021-057

Hiring Agency: Embassy Dar Es Salaam

Position Title: Public Health Specialist (Laboratory Liaison) - CDC

Open Period: 12/14/2021 - 12/28/2021Format MM/DD/YYYY

Vacancy Time Zone: GMT+3

Series/Grade: LE - 0550 11

Salary: TZS TSh93,571,469

Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours per week

Promotion Potential: LE-11

Duty Location(s): 1 Vacancy in Dar Es Salaam, TZ

Telework Eligible: No

For More Info:

 HR Section
 +255-22-229 4148
 dar-recruitment@state.gov

Overview

Hiring Path: • Open to the public

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency: All Interested Applicants / All Sources

Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation

Appointment Type Permanent

Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period

Marketing Statement: We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.

Summary:

Summary: The U.S. Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Public Health Specialist (Laboratory Liaison) in the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Office/Section.

Supervisory Position: No

Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No

Travel Required: Occasional Travel

Duties

Major Duties and Responsibilities:  % OF TIME

Program Management, Planning and Coordination: 30%

Incumbent serves as principal coordinator for laboratory systems and services within the host country and is responsible for planning and implementation of capacity building of all laboratories to ensure consistency of results.  In general, reviews individual laboratory procedures, weighing against accepted protocols and develops programs to ensure consistency. Job holder participates in developing and reviews of major initiatives including planning and writing the laboratory portion of Country Operational Plan (COP) each year and review of all cooperative agreements that require research and diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, STD, AI, TB, malaria and emerging diseases in laboratories throughout the host country. Work with Counseling & Testing, Care and Treatment, Prevention and Strategic Information colleagues to ensure that programs are working together to complement support and capacity building.

Job holder represents CDC Tanzania Laboratory Support Program at Public health, technical, policy and strategic planning meetings with collaborators.  Provides guidance and direction to grantees, program collaborators and contractors on management and implementation of activities to ensure consistent with PEPFAR and international policies and guidance. Support the strengthening of HIV viral load capacity and implementation of scale up plan.

Incumbent serves as a member and advisor on the USG technical working group for strengthening linkages and coordination of laboratory service improvement activities within USG PEPFAR programs and at national level.  Participate in the development of protocols for evaluation of the quality of laboratory services and recommends improvement strategies following results.

Monitors and evaluates progress of projects, identifying policy, organizational and personnel, logistical, and financial problems and makes or recommends revisions as necessary to overcome obstacles and constraints to progress.  Identifies training needs and participates in the development / implementation of training courses for partner organizations.

Technical Assistance and Oversight: 30%

Provides technical assistance and oversight to the MOHSW, NHLQATC and other partners in the implementation of laboratory capacity building activities, including validation of clinical molecular assays (using PCR, DNA sequencing and other modern molecular analysis techniques), evaluation of all proposals for testing programs and Public Health Evaluation (PHE) projects of PEPFAR partners, ensuring that human subjects requirements are being met, protocols are being followed appropriately and recommends amendments/approval to supervisor. The annual budget for external laboratory programs in Tanzania in fiscal year 2019 is $9.5 million.

Assesses national referral and regional laboratory capacity to support surveillance and diagnostics for HIV/AIDS and HIV-related risk behaviors, STI, TB and other opportunistic infections (OIs) as well as international emerging infections.  Develops strategies to strengthen capacities and capabilities based on assessment findings.  Introduces new diagnostic technology as it becomes available.  Develops training plans and ensures competent instructors to provide training for personnel at laboratories for which responsible.

Plans, oversees and coordinates cooperative agreements with the host government for activities in areas of laboratory diagnostics, including the establishment and maintenance of a national quality assurance system.  Institutes Quality Assurance (QA) programs, including internal and external quality control standards.  Works with host government to support accreditation process of laboratories that have been targeted for that process. Help develop sustainability plans for CDC-supported laboratory quality management programs and blood safety.

Develops standards to enhance capacities of regional and referral hospital laboratories and to support surveillance for HIV, STD, TB, AI and malaria.  Standardizes testing protocols for diagnostics and surveillance.  Develops and updates national guidelines for laboratory systems at all levels of operation.  Designs safety and anti-contamination strategies according to international standards.

Management: 25%

III. Interagency Coordination: 15%

Note:  Incumbent will be required to perform other duties as assigned by the agency.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

Experience: A minimum of five years working in a laboratory setting, either HIV/AIDS health care, national reference or laboratory, or research-oriented facility is required. 

Education Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s level degree in Applied Biology (Microbiology), or Medical Laboratory Technology is required.  

Completion of additional post graduate training in medical laboratory technology (minimum 6 months), specifically Molecular Biology and Quality Assurance Laboratory Testing Standards is required. 

Evaluations:

Language: Level IV fluent (reading, speaking, and writing) in English is required and Level IV fluent (reading, speaking, and writing) in Kiswahili is required, (This may be tested).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO):  The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Qualifications:

All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

Benefits and Other Info

Benefits:

Agency Benefits:

Benefits:  The U.S. Mission in Tanzania offers compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.

Other Information:

HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:  Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

1. AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
2. AEFM / USEFM
3. FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **

* IMPORTANT:  Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification.  A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.  Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given. 

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.

For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.

How to Apply: 

To apply for this position, applicants MUST apply electronically via ERA.

For more information, visit this link https://tz.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/

Required Documents:

In order to qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested diploma and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you will not be considered for this position.

• Bachelor’s level degree in Applied Biology (Microbiology) or Medical Laboratory Technology certificate is required.
• Completion of additional post graduate training in medical laboratory technology (minimum 6 months), specifically Molecular Biology and Quality Assurance Laboratory Testing Standards is required. 
• Proof of Citizenship
• Degree with transcript
• Other Document
• Other Document 2

Next Steps:

What to Expect Next:  Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted only via email. 
Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Tanzania.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY