Skip to main content

Jobs

Laboratory Liaison Officer

 

Job Title:              Laboratory Liaison Officer

Reports to:           Study PI/& MeSH Program Manager

Answerable to:     Scientific Director

         

Job Summary

The Study Coordinator will manage and coordinate all activities for CLOVE study in Blantyre. The University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Lilongwe Malawi and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK under the MeSH/UNC Consortium will jointly implement the CLOVE study. The consortium is supporting expanded HIV surveillance and prevention efforts in Blantyre district funded by the Gates Foundation. Our local national collaborators for the Blantyre Prevention Strategy (BPS) project include Blantyre District Health Office, Blantyre City Council, National AIDS Commission (NAC), Cooper/Smith, and Georgetown University.

The Laboratory Liaison will serve as a liaison and referral coordinator between CLOVE study and testing laboratories. They will be responsible for monitoring and ensuring timely and efficient implementation of laboratory-related research activities as outlined in the study’s workplan. They will also work with local and international study PIs, local and international partners and will thrive to maintain good working relationships with all study stakeholders.

This position will be based in Blantyre. The LLO will also assist in coordinating study logistical requirements, progress and financial reporting of all laboratory expenses.

 

Specific Duties / Responsibilities

  1. Study Coordination, Quality Control and Management
  • Ensure and maintains regular communications between the investigators
  • Coordinate with all testing labs on sample transport, reception and results dissemination
  • Manage the study inventory of laboratory reagents and materials needs, use and requests
  • Assist in development of an efficient communication mechanism between the clinic, laboratory and data management staff to ensure accurate reporting and documentation of laboratory data on CRFs.
  • Plan and maintain strong relationships with Blantyre DHO, Blantyre City Council, government and other BPS study stakeholders,
  1. Technical
  • Lead data collection of all laboratory results for study participants
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of all procedures and processes in on-going CLOVE activities
  • Develop and update laboratory related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all procedures and processes described in a study protocol
  • Support study team members in developing and implementing study-specific workplans and budget monitoring tools
  • Lead community tracing of acute HIV negative patients and link them to HIV care
  • Liaise with clinic, laboratory and data management staff to ensure that complete and accurate data are collected to the best ability of all research staff.
  1. Study Documentation and Reporting
  • Prepare quarterly progress reports and work plans as per funder’s requirement
  • Develop and fosters a culture of required study documentation, information management and professional accountability for results
  • Coordinate study data collection, and participates in data analysis, scientific write-ups and dissemination
  • Perform any other duties as assigned.

 

Qualification and Experience

  • Degree in Biomedical Sciences. Those with Master of Science in Biomedical Technology, Public Health, or Epidemiology will have an added advantage.
  • Proven experience working in a busy research laboratory
  • Familiarity with the Malawi Ministry of Health HIV program is an asset
  • Strong computer skills and MS Office proficiency, especially Microsoft Excel
  • Strong organizational management and development skills
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Chichewa
  • Professional drive and ability to manage tight timelines and potentially stressful, shifting priorities and deadlines
  • Able to work both independently and collaboratively
  • Previous experience in developing study SOPs and conducting training
  • Experience using mobile data collection tools such as using ODK in tablets

 

General

  • Ability to create teams that will be effective and motivated to produce consistently good work
  • Ensure effective and efficient channels of communication,
  • Take self-responsibility in becoming a member of a cohesive research team.
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work
  • Attention to detail and problem solving skills
  • Accuracy and good attention to detail
  • Willing to work outside of regular hours, as the project demands

 

Please send your applications to:

 

Postal Address : 

The Country Director

UNC Project

Private Bag A-104

Lilongwe

 

Physical Address:        

Tidziwe Research Centre, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe.

Email:                           

administration@unclilongwe.org

 

Deadline for receiving applications:   March 24, 2021

 Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

 

=====================================================================================================

 

Study Coordinator

 

Job Title:               Study Coordinator

Reporst to:            Study PI & MeSH Program Manager

Answerable to :     Scientific Director

         

Job Summary

The Study Coordinator will manage and coordinate all activities for CLOVE study in Blantyre. The University of North Carolina (UNC) Project-Lilongwe Malawi and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK under the MeSH/UNC Consortium will jointly implement the CLOVE study. The consortium is supporting expanded HIV surveillance and prevention efforts in Blantyre district funded by the Gates Foundation. Our local national collaborators for the Blantyre Prevention Strategy (BPS) project include Blantyre District Health Office, Blantyre City Council, National AIDS Commission (NAC), Cooper/Smith, and Georgetown University.

They will be responsible for monitoring and ensuring timely and efficient implementation of assigned study activities as outlined in the study’s work plan. They will work with local and international study PIs, local and international partners and will strive to maintain good working relationships with all study stakeholders.

This position will be based in Blantyre. The Study Coordinator will also be responsible for coordinating all study logistical requirements, progress and financial reporting.

 

Specific Duties / Responsibilities

  1. Study Coordination and management
  • Ensure and maintain regular communications between the investigators
  • Support study team members in developing and implementing study-specific workplans and budget monitoring tools
  • Provide logistical support including travel coordination, management of all delegation and assets,
  • Work with team members and the Finance Department in Lilongwe to ensure that research funds are spent properly, with payment requests, liquidations and vouchers submitted as complete and that expenses are properly allocated.
  • Provide financial plans (budgets) for all activities and monthly financial reports,
  • Develop and maintain as well as update all required study documentation and schedules, monitoring of capacity building and recruitment of research assistants for the study.
  • Participate in the recruitment of study staff
  • Schedule tasks in a manner that they can be completed on time.
  • Keep track of task progress through databases or emails,
  • Plan and maintain strong relationships with Blantyre DHO, Blantyre City Council, government and other BPS study stakeholders,

 

  1. Research Policies, Ethics and Procedures
  • Ensure safety of staff and study participants, and coordinating any training needed to achieve this
  • With Study PIs, ensure best practices pertaining to study data collection, quality assurance, integrity, confidentiality, analysis, and participant confidentiality
  • Promote best practices for study data collection, management, and archiving
  • Work with UNC’s Ethics Regulatory Office and oversees all CLOVE research ethics submissions to the NHSRC, UNC-CH and LSHTM.
  • Regularly check that conditions of the ethical approvals are being adhered to and reinforces corrective actions as necessary
  • Assist and ensure Clinical Trials.gov registrations are completed and updated

 

  1. Study Documentation and Reporting
  • Prepare quarterly progress reports and work plans as per funder’s requirement
  • Foster a culture of documentation, information management and professional accountability for results
  • Coordinate study data collection, and participates in data analysis, scientific write-ups and dissemination
  • Perform any other duties as assigned.

 

Qualification and Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health. Those with a Master’s Degree in Public Health Epidemiology, or Medical Anthropology will have an added advantage
  • Familiarity with the Malawi Ministry of Health HIV program is an asset
  • Minimum of three years’ experience in conducting public health research.
  • Previous experience in conducting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative studies.
  • Previous experience in developing study SOPs and conducting training
  • Experience using mobile data collection such as using ODK in tablets
  • Strong computer skills and MS Office proficiency, especially Microsoft Excel
  • Strong organizational management and development skills
  • Professional drive and ability to manage tight timelines and potentially stressful, shifting priorities and deadlines
  • Previous experience in developing study SOPs and conducting training

 

General

  • Ability to create teams that will be effective and motivated to produce consistently good work
  • Ability to delegate tasks and responsibilities
  • Should understand the job demand and critical skills
  • Ensure effective and efficient channels of communication,
  • Take self-responsibility in becoming a member of a cohesive research team.
  • Proven administrative experience
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work
  • Attention to detail and problem solving skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Accuracy and good attention to detail
  • Willing to work outside of regular hours, as the project demands

 

Please send your applications to:

 

Postal Address:                      

The Country Director

UNC Project

Private Bag A-104

Lilongwe

 

Physical Address:        

Tidziwe Research Centre, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe.

Email:

administration@unclilongwe.org

 

Deadline for receiving applications:  March 24, 2021

Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.