Technical Advisor, Diagnostics

Описание

About FHI 360 and EpiC

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing—creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries and all states and territories.

The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project is an eight-year (2019–2027) global health project initially funded by the Department of State (DoS) as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). EpiC operates in approximately 50 countries, addressing key public health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, pandemic preparedness, and global health security.

In Ukraine, the project receives Global Health Security (GHS) funding to strengthen global, regional, and local public health systems, building on broad experience and existing capabilities that align with national GHS priorities, and US Government goals. EpiC will support the national and regional public health institutions, health care facilities, the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection’s research institutes and regional departments, academic institutions, as well as civil society organizations. to strengthen GHS capacities in infection prevention and control (IPC), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), health emergency management (HEM), with a particular focus on the prevention, detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks of epidemic significance. All activities will be aligned with national regulations, guidelines and standards, as well as relevant international frameworks.

FHI 360 is seeking qualified candidates for a Technical Advisor for Diagnostics who will report to the GHS Technical Director. This position will be based in Kyiv, Ukraine. This position is open to Ukrainian nationals who are residing in Ukraine or are willing to relocate to Ukraine. Professional proficiency in written and spoken English and fluency in Ukrainian are required.

Job Summary:

The EpiC Ukraine Technical Advisor for Diagnostics will coordinate and collaborate with the EpiC Ukraine team and lead activities related to strengthening laboratory systems at national, subnational, and facility levels to minimize transmission of high-threat pathogens within healthcare and animal health settings, and the community. The Advisor for Diagnostics will contribute to enhancing in-country diagnostic systems and laboratory networks to ensure timely and accurate detection of priority pathogens. Strengthened diagnostics will directly support life-saving interventions, enable rapid public health decision-making, and contribute to effective risk communication with vulnerable populations and the general public during public health emergencies.

Accountabilities:

Provide expertise to rapidly strengthen laboratory networks in human and animal health sectors critical for infectious disease outbreak prevention, detection, and response.Provide timely support to Ukrainian counterparts in detection and reporting on of priority pathogens during infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies of epidemic significance.Align expert technical support with recommendations from Ukraine’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE) 2021 report, and other relevant country assessments, prioritizing diagnostic readiness and surge capacity improvements that enable life-saving outbreak interventions. Support implementation of targeted interventions to address urgent diagnostic gaps, with a focus on laboratory quality management systems.Assist in a human and animal health laboratory landscaping analysis to assess capacity by regions, including understanding the role of the private sector.Ensure all activities are in line with country workplan priorities and reflect locally identified needs through stakeholder engagement.Provide expertise to enhance Ukraine’s laboratory networks in specimen referral and transport systems, laboratory quality management systems, supply chain, laboratory management information systems, laboratory diagnostic standard operating procedures (SOPs) and tools, qualified workforce, expansion of point-of-care diagnostic service points, and biosafety and biosecurity.Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to strengthening the national laboratory system.Provide expertise in developing content for national laboratory network strategy and action plan, policies, SOPs, and protocols.Assist in the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of progress related to the enhancement of the diagnostic network, laboratory systems, and procedures, in alignment with the approved country workplan.Provide technical support for diagnostics system strengthening, methods and strategies, current best practices, and established diagnostic and operational standards while also being locally relevant and sustainable.Develop training materials/resources and deliver training (as needed) for strengthening the diagnostic capacity of Ukrainian diagnostic practitioners and leaders.Conduct assessments of diagnostic facilities and lead the follow-up of corrective and preventive actions and quality improvement initiatives.As needed, provide expertise to support laboratories in preparation for obtaining national accreditation. Document best practices and lessons learned from EpiC project and other relevant activities in Ukraine pertaining to strengthening laboratory systemsContribute to required project reporting, learning products, and donor communications, including success stories, technical briefs, and related M&E indicators.Stay updated on the latest local and international developments and trends in diagnostic practices and AMR in human and animal health and provide strategic advice to GHS Technical Director and technical team.

Education Qualification & Experience

Advanced Degree in Medical or Veterinary Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology, or Molecular Biology 12+ years of relevant experience in diagnostic systems and capacity strengthening in Ukraine.Experience in diagnosis of infectious diseases, including specific hands-on diagnostics experience, is desirable.Competent in current diagnostic methods for infectious diseases, including point-of-care tests.Experience with laboratory quality management systems.Knowledge about WHO’s International Health Regulations (2005), JEE assessments, public health surveillance, biosecurity and biosafety, animal health, antimicrobial resistance, infectious disease outbreak investigations, and public health emergency response is desirable.Knowledge and experience with strengthening laboratories to achieve international quality standards including against ISO 15189 and/or SLMTA/SLIPTA.Previous experience working with USG or PEPFAR supported programs and experience working in an international NGO/PVO environment desirable.Excellent report writing, analytical and communication skills, including oral presentation skills.Ability to manage and complete numerous tasks with a high degree of organization and limited resources.Ability to meet deadlines with strong attention to consistency, detail, and quality.Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the political and ethical issues surrounding public health issues in Ukraine.Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and well-developed computer skills.Ability to travel within country or region and internationally if needed.Professional proficiency in written and spoken English and fluency in Ukrainian.

Typical Physical Demands:

Typical office environment.Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (, Office 365, SharePoint, Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

25% - 50%

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employerwhereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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