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IDDS Diagnostic Specialist- Animal Health

This job is no longer available

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Full-time

The USAID Infectious Diseases Detection and Surveillance (IDDS) supports select governments and their relevant ministries in the strengthening of their human and animal health diagnostic systems for infectious diseases, TB and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The work will focus primarily on animal health systems and other non-governmental animal health diagnostic facilities. The Animal Health Diagnostic Specialist will support the animal health diagnostic systems capacity building work for the IDDS project that serves the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), TB programs, zoonotic diseases and other related initiatives. The position will be based in the Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso office, and will involve frequent in-country travel. Technical responsibilities include working with the IDDS diagnostics global and regional leadership, in-country partners, ICF (project prime) and USAID to implement agreed strategies to enhance diagnostic networks (both human and animal health and point-of-care facilities) in Burkina Faso as well as the broader surveillance systems.

Areas of Responsibility: 

The Animal Health Diagnostic Specialist (ADS) provides technical support to the design, implementation and monitoring of technical strategies to strengthen animal health diagnostic networks that provide comprehensive coverage and universal access to diagnostic services. This will include diagnostic network and facilities assessments, capacity building initiatives of animal diagnostic networks, and implementation of strategies, programs or tools to improve capacities of animal health diagnostics workforce in-country.

Specifically:

  • Responsible for the implementation of technical assistance, diagnostic network and facilities strengthening and quality improvement interventions in line with joint external evaluation (JEE) reports, country national action plan, other assessment reports and country workplan activities aligned with JEE and local stakeholder improvement goals.
  • Responsible for implementing in-country diagnostic network enhancement activities which may include capacity building activities for core diagnostic components such as specimen referral mechanisms, quality management systems, supply chain, management information systems, diagnostic SOPs and tools, qualified workforce, expansion of point-of-care diagnostic service points, and biosafety and biosecurity.
  • Support national stakeholders in developing or updating national diagnostic network strategic plans, SOPs and policies.
  • Monitors and reports progress with diagnostic network enhancement activities as per the approved country workplan.
  • Provides technical support based upon expertise with diagnostics system strengthening, methods and strategies, current best practices, and established diagnostic and operational standards while also being locally relevant and sustainable.
  • Builds capacity in local diagnostic stakeholders and leaders to identify and oversee enhancements in diagnostic networks.
  • Conducts assessments of diagnostic facilities and leads the follow-up of corrective and preventive actions and quality improvement initiatives.
  • Provides technical assistance and training to diagnostic facilities and the overall diagnostic network as part of overall capacity building and continuous improvement programs.
  • Encourages and assists laboratories with preparing for accreditation through locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally accepted accreditation agencies based on country demand.
  • Will be required to coordinate and work with a diverse group of national organizations including the Government and other diagnostic network leaders, development partners, other regional and global IDDS staff and USAID.
Educational Background: 
Master’s degree in animal science or other relevant subject.
Skills/Experience: 
  • In-depth functional knowledge of clinical diagnostics and diagnostic networks and quality management systems.
  • In-depth functional knowledge of the diagnostics for infectious diseases (including zoonotic diseases) and AMR.
  • Awareness of the mechanisms and strategies that are being deployed under the GHSA and other similar mechanisms to combat emerging infectious threats and AMR.
  • General understanding of the country environment and how it affects diagnostic network functioning in general, including political, legal, environmental, financial and social influences.
  • Strong capacity building skills.
  • At least five years of experience in animal health, animal science, animal production, veterinary technology.
  • Knowledge and experience in the diagnosis of infectious diseases (including zoonotic diseases) and AMR including specific hands-on diagnostics experience.
  • Competent in current diagnostic methods for infectious diseases including point-of-care tests.
  • Knowledge and experience with strengthening laboratories to achieve international quality standards including against ISO 15189 and/or SLMTA/SLIPTA.
Job Function: 

Organization Info

Fhi 360

Overview
Headquarters: 
Washington, DC, United States
Annual Budget : 
More than $500M
Founded: 
1974
About Us
Mission: 

To improve lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions for human development.

Why Work For Us?: 

We Believe…

…the key to improving the lives of the world's most vulnerable people lies in generating, sharing, and applying knowledge.

…sustainability comes from improving the capacity of individuals and countries to address their needs.

…in partnerships with governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and communities.

…in approaches that address human needs as a whole

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Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Aug 18 2019
Active Until: 
Sep 18 2019
Hiring Organization: 
Fhi 360
industry: 
Nonprofit