NGO JOBS

Organization: MSF - Holland
Country: Netherlands
Closing date: 20 Feb 2014

Effective immediately we are looking for a:

Laboratory Advisor for 20 hours per week (50%)expertise in TB diagnosis essentialbased in Amsterdam

The overall purpose of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is to preserve life and alleviate suffering while protecting human dignity and seeking to restore the ability of people to make their own decisions. MSF accomplishes this through the provision of medical aid and a personal commitment to act as witness to events surrounding populations in danger. This work is essentially performed in periods of crisis, when a situation is no longer held in balance and the very survival of a population may be threatened. The underlying basis for realising its objectives is respect for medical ethics, humanistic ideals, human rights, and international humanitarian law.

The Public Health Department (PHD) of the MSF Operational Centre Amsterdam (OCA) supports the overall purpose of MSF, providing medical and public health leadership for the organisation. The department is responsible for providing strategic direction and integrated advice on medical and public health issues to the field and headquarters. The PHD plays a key role in developing and maintaining the medical humanitarian identity and image of MSF-OCA, and in continuing to develop and improve intervention strategies so as to be relevant and effective.

The department is made up of a group of generalist Health Advisors (based in Amsterdam and Berlin) and medical and public health specialists (e.g., surgery, epidemiology, mental health, nutrition, paediatrics, pharmacy, reproductive health, and water/sanitation) so as to provide expert support in a range of fields. The Manson Unit, a medical unit based in MSF-UK, focuses on support to tuberculosis and epidemiology, including longer-term direct field support to overcome implementation challenges.

Laboratory leadership and support within the OCA is provided by the Lab Specialist Group, composed of two full-time Lab Advisors based in The Netherlands and a Lab Specialist Assistant based in Kenya. Previously several missions (particularly those where we treat large cohorts of patients with tuberculosis) were supported by a Lab Advisor based in our UK office; this vacancy represents moving that field support function to a half-time post based in Amsterdam.

PARAMETERS OF THE POST

Position within the organisationThe Laboratory Advisor reports hierarchically to the Coordinator of Medical Specialists, Public Health Department in Amsterdam. The post holder will work in close collaboration with Health Advisors and fellow specialists in the public health department and especially with HIV/TB Advisors and TB Implementers on strategic issues as well as being responsible for support to a specific portfolio of countries.

Objective of the postThe overall aim of the Lab Advisor post is to provide support and impetus to strategic planning, implementation and operational research relating to laboratory services in MSF-OCA projects. The overall objective of this specific post includes specific focus on TB diagnostics.

Key outputs expected

Provide specialist laboratory support to MSF-OCA in order to successfully implement the strategic plan. General tasks of the Lab Advisor include:

1. Provide leadership and specialist support for MSF-OCA laboratory and rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) activities
2. Ensure innovative, high-quality diagnostic services through the provision of quality materials, adequate infrastructure and well-trained staff
3. Monitor and evaluate the quality of laboratory activities and assure the quality of these services for MSFs beneficiaries
4. Provide expert advice and technical support to colleagues in the PHD and staff in other departments on inter-disciplinary issues
5. Provide expert advice and technical support to Medical Coordinators, Lab Scientists and national laboratory supervisors during field visits and as issues arise
6. Undertake/provide technical support to operational research, and disseminate the MSF lab experience, including advocacy based on identified needs
7. Represent of MSF-OCA on MSF working groups as appropriate
8. Proactively liaise with contacts to keep abreast of international developments, which will guide future innovation in the diagnostic strategy

Specific tasks for this post holder include:1. Support the implementation of diagnostic TB lab procedures within MSF-OCA programmes, including: sample collection and assessment; fluorescent and brightfield microscopy; PCR-based testing (Xpert MTB/RIF and Hain MTBDRplus); and liquid and solid culture 2. Implement laboratory safety protocols, develop MSF standard format SOPs, and maintain an up to date MSF TB field microscopy manual 3. Perform assessment of TB diagnostics in field laboratories on request of missions4. Liaise with the TB and lab working groups on the preparation of intersectional TB guidelines and reports5. Facilitate OCA and intersectional lab workshops, and other MSF training exercises (e.g. Co-days, MMC, LogCo days etc) as required

Profile and qualifications

Education and experience• BSc in Medical Laboratory Science or equivalent; higher degree is an asset• Expertise in TB diagnosis essential; advanced knowledge and experience with the latest developments in TB laboratory diagnostic procedures including culture, DST and molecular testing• Experience in senior positions as a medical laboratory scientist
• Field laboratory experience with MSF or similar NGO• Considerable experience in Laboratory Quality Management

Capacities and skills:• Good oral and written communication skills• Willingness to spend approximately 30% of time in the field • Strong statistical skills and ability with computer spreadsheet programs • Strong analytical and problem-solving capacity• Strong interpersonal skills: team-player, stimulating, innovative, able to mobilise/motivate and coach people• Able to work under time pressure on various projects at a time• Fluent English essential; Russian desirable

We offer• A part time appointment for 20-hour per week for a period of (preferably) three years; • A gross salary (scale 7) of a minimum of € 1,518.50 and a maximum of € 2,169 per month for a part-time position depending on relevant work experience (€ 3,037 - € 4,338 for a full-time appointment);• A challenging position within a stimulating, professional working environment in a major international organisation;• Attractive secondary benefits (premium free pension, 15 holidays).

More information?If you are interested in this post and would like additional information, please contact Debbie Price, Coordinator of Medical Specialists, at: +31 (0)20 520 8724.

ApplicationPlease send your motivation letter and CV in English - when you believe that you fit the profile and meet the requirements to officejobs@amsterdam.msf.org mentioning ‘Laboratory Advisor’ for the attention of Ms Jaline Wijkhuizen (Personnel Officer HQ).

The deadline for applications is Thursday 20th of February 2014 or until we have achieved a sufficient pool of applicants.Please also mention where you came across this vacancy.

How to apply:

More information?If you are interested in this post and would like additional information, please contact Debbie Price, Coordinator of Medical Specialists, at: +31 (0)20 520 8724.

ApplicationPlease send your motivation letter and CV in English - when you believe that you fit the profile and meet the requirements to officejobs@amsterdam.msf.org mentioning ‘Laboratory Advisor’ for the attention of Ms Jaline Wijkhuizen (Personnel Officer HQ).