Senior Laboratory Technologist

Position Title:                                                Senior Laboratory Technologist

Position Grade:                                             G.6

Duty Station:                                                 Lilongwe, Malawi

Position Number:                                         New

Job Family:                                                     Migration Health

Organizational Unit:                                     10014625

Is this a Regional, HQ, MAC, PAC, Liaison Office, or a Country Office based position?    Country Office

Position rated on:                                         (to be filled by Classifier)

Reports directly to:                                      20094801

Number of Direct Reports:                         2

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and direct supervision of the Migration Health Physician the incumbent will be responsible for technical support to laboratory services with respect to Migration Health Assessments (HAP) and other programmes implemented by the IOM Migration Health Division in country Lilongwe, Malawi.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Organize laboratory services and oversee daily activities for efficient and optimal service delivery while adapting services to prevailing local conditions, levels of expertise and available technology.
2. Implement a laboratory quality management system according to national and/or international guidelines, towards compliance with ISO 15189:2012 or similar standards, in collaboration with the regional laboratory coordinator.
3. Ensure that facilities and biosafety measures in the laboratory meet international standards and country requirements inform the Regional Laboratory Coordinator of any non-compliance and propose corrective actions.
4. Ensure that IOM quality standards for laboratory services are applied and meet the needs for HAP and other programmes or other project requirements through the development and maintenance of a laboratory quality manual that includes Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which are up to date and undergo annual review.
5. Ensure that the equipment and consumables are sufficient for the anticipated workload. Plan and coordinate procurement, delivery, installation, maintenance and operation of all laboratory equipment and optimal expenditure of consumables.
6. Implement and maintain the system of organized record keeping, using IOM LIMS and MedStock applications, and information management for timely delivery of results, data collection, analysis and reporting for laboratory monitoring and facilitation to operational research
7. Maintain and promote high quality with regards to international standards in all aspects of service delivery via internal quality control and organizing participation in external quality assurance according to IOM standards.
8. Monitor needs of staffing levels for planned workload. Participate in and facilitate recruiting, training, guiding and supervising laboratory staff.  Maintain records of staff development and training.
9. Ensure that external laboratories performing testing on behalf of IOM meet IOM and national quality standards.
10. Achieve and maintain national licensing and/or recognition according to the national requirements, or agreement, in collaboration with the CMHO and CoM.
11. Participate in annual HAP activities planning and budget preparation related to laboratory services.
12. Liaise on laboratory related topics with national laboratories and laboratories in other countries, IOM Departments and national relevant entities.
13. Establish, monitor and ensure a system of laboratory customer services meeting the expectations of clients, medical personnel, and counterparts; prioritize clients’ interests and delivering of services with guiding principles of clients’ dignity, beneficence and non-maleficence in courteous manner by the laboratory.
14. Ensures compliance with IOM instruction INS 278 and undertakes all designated mandatory trainings.
15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited academic institution in Medical (Clinical) Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology or a related discipline
• In addition, preferably, Master’s degree or higher degree from an accredited academic institution.
• A valid license to practice, if applicable.