Careers at The Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity (CIHEB)

Ciheb is an international health, education, and research center founded by the Institute of Human Virology within the University of Maryland, Baltimore's School of Medicine. The center is comprised of a network of international experts who work with local stakeholders to combat infectious and non-communicable diseases in resource-limited regions of the world. 

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• Contents
• Open Jobs
  1. KENPHIA II Satellite Medical Laboratory Technologist
  2. KENPHIA II Field Medical Laboratory Technologist
  3. KENPHIA II Home Based Testing Service (HBTS) Counsellor
  4. KENPHIA II Interviewer
  5. KENPHIA II Central Medical Laboratory Technologist
• Method of Application

• Job TypeFull Time
• QualificationBA/BSc/HND , Diploma
• Experience2 years
• LocationNairobi
• Job FieldMedical / Healthcare&nbsp , Science&nbsp

Overall Job Function

To receive samples and make entries to the Laboratory Data Management System (LDMS), process samples into Dried Blood Spots (DBS) and centrifuge whole blood to get plasma aliquots for shipment to Central testing Laboratory. Provide testing services for KENPHIA II field samples that is CD4 Testing and GeneXpert POCT of DNA PCR (EID). Conduct Satellite Laboratory activities in liaison with field teams to implement the Laboratory Component for KENPHIA II Survey. He/she will perform various duties as needed to successfully fulfil the functions of this position including but not limited to the following technical activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend the full survey training to understand the purpose and intent of the survey, as well as the plan for implementation
• Verifying collected samples from household as well as check pre-analytical sample integrity/quality.
• Sample processing into Dried Blood Spots (DBS) and plasma aliquoting to vials, triple packaging and shipment to Central testing Laboratory according to the KENPHIA II Laboratory Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs).
• Testing survey respondent samples flagged for HIV DNA PCR (EID) using GeneXpert and returning results for linkage to prevention, care and treatment as per KENPHIA II Linkage to Care (LTC) SOPs.
• CD4 testing using PIMA CD4 Machine at the Satellite laboratory as described in KENPHIA II Protocol and applicable Laboratory SOPs.
• Provide technical support to field medical laboratory technologists for challenges on barcodes, phlebotomy good practices, necessary documentation, packaging and transportation to ensure specimen integrity at the satellite laboratory.
• Perform Quality Assurance measures in line with KENPHIA II SOP provision through the following activities:
  • Kit Lot verification to establish fitness for purpose and testing.
  • Testing of Quality Control Samples/QC Materials (both Negative and Positive controls)
  • Perform daily instrument maintenance to ensure equipment functionality and result accuracy.
  • Monitor daily environmental controls necessary for testing and storage of reagents including sample storage in fridges and freezers.
  • Provide on job trainings for new staff who have been brought in to support testing at Satellite level based KENPHIA II training SOPs.
  • HIV and Syphilis Quality Assurance re-testing.

 Requirements

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of science in Medical Laboratory science or Higher Diploma in Medical Virology from a recognized institution.
• Must be registered with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technologist and Technician Board (KMLTTB) and have a valid Practicing License and experience attachment in an ISO 15189 Accredited Laboratory.
• Knowledge working with a laboratory information system (LIS) is critical for this assignment.
• Knowledge and experience of Quality Management System essentials is critical in this assignment
• Proficiency in use of Point of Care (POC) systems is an advantage
• Good communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English, Kiswahili and relevant local languages as per the location of fieldwork.

 Experience

• 2 years’ experience in a busy medical laboratory
• Experience of two years on HIV Laboratory work; CD4, DNA PCR (EID) and HIV-1 Viral load testing/or Work involving specimen referring system. 
• Experience working in an Accredited Laboratory; Attachments, mentorship or internship will be considered.
• Experiences in previous similar surveys will be an added advantage 

Competencies

• Training with IT background, high level proficient skills in computing
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences.
• Must be fully available for the duration of survey.
• Must have a good disciplinary record

Attributes: 

The Satellite Laboratory Technologist must have the following general skills and attributes: 

• Friendly and patient 
• Detail orientated and highly organized as well as have ability to multi-task.
• Flexible and proactive
• Able to maintain high levels of confidentiality
• Should have strong interpersonal skills (active listening, empathy, social awareness, emotional awareness). 

• Job TypeFull Time
• QualificationBA/BSc/HND , Diploma
• Experience3 years
• LocationNairobi
• Job FieldMedical / Healthcare&nbsp , Science&nbsp

Overall Job Function

This position primary entails working with KENPHIA field teams to implement laboratory component for KENPHIA II Survey designed to provide technical testing of bio markers of interest at household level. Perform various duties including but not limited to; collect, test, issue results and manage blood samples at household and transportation to Satellite testing Laboratory within specified timelines, while maintaining high levels of professionalism and confidentiality.

 Duties and responsibilities

The Field Medical Laboratory Technologist will perform various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the functions of this position including but not limited to the following technical activities: 

• Attend the full survey training to understand the purpose and intent of the survey, as well as the plan for implementation.
• Work in a team with main role of implementing bio marker testing in accordance with KENPHIA II Protocol and detailed SOPs in the household and issue results for linkage to prevention, care and treatment.
• Organize testing supplies every morning using an approved KENPHIA II Field supplies management SOP to ensure uninterrupted testing services in coordination satellite logistician.
• Verify eligible consented or assented respondents for the blood draw and testing in accordance with KENPHIA II Protocol.
• Perform phlebotomy as detailed in KENPHIA SOPs and obtain sufficient sample volume to be used for testing and aliquoting as detailed in KENPHIA II protocol and applicable sample collection SOPs.
• Properly labelling samples and ensuring they are transported to the satellite laboratories within the defined time as per guiding SOPs.
• Test controls at least every two weeks as detailed in the KENPHIA II Laboratory SOPs.
• Perform competency every six months as provided KENPHIA II Laboratory SOPs.
• Test eligible survey respondents for HIV infection using the three (3) test algorithm as well as Syphilis and Hepatitis B in accordance with KENPHIA II SOPs.
• Screen children below 18 months as per KENPHIA II SOPs and ensure packaging and referral for DNA PCR testing (EID) at Satellite Laboratory using GeneXpert POC.
• Test Eligible survey respondent for syphilis and issue results for subsequent linkage to prevention and treatment services in facilities of their choice.
• Manage waste generated at household level in line with KENPHIA II Biosafety Waste management SOPs.
• Report on any accident/ incident occurrence during testing processes of KENPHIA II Biomarkers as per the Events management SOPs.
• Effectively communicate to their respective KENPHIA II Regional Laboratory supervisor regarding any challenges encountered for any necessary support.
• Documentation of all laboratory activities in forms, tools and electronically in tablets.
• Carry out any other duties as assigned by field team leads.

Requirements

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Medical laboratory Sciences or Biomedical Sciences.
• Trained in Phlebotomy with at least 2 years’ experience in Phlebotomy practice or training and experience attachment in an ISO 15189 Accredited Laboratory.
• Must be registered with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technologist and Technician Board (KMLTTB) and have a valid Practicing License and experience attachment in an ISO 15189 Accredited Laboratory.
• Proficiency in use of Point of Care (POC) systems is an advantage
• Good communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English, Kiswahili and relevant local languages as per the location of fieldwork.

Experience

• Experience in working on the laboratory bench for at least three (3) years.
• Experience performing Quality Assurance measures in all phases of biomedical testing
• Knowledge of and practical experience in HIV community-based research and ethical requirements.
• Experience with population survey (IBBS, KDHS, KAIS, KENPHIA) will be an added advantage

 Competencies

• Ability to work with your hands and will need dexterity to work with small vials, test tubes, and delicate laboratory equipment
• Comfortable using electronic gadgets such as smart phones and tablets
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences.
• Must be fully available for survey period.
• Must have a good disciplinary record

Attributes:

The Field Laboratory Technologist must have the following general skills and attributes:

• Friendly and patient.
• Detail orientated and highly organized as well as have ability to multi-task.
• Flexible and proactive.
• Able to maintain high levels of confidentiality.
• Should have strong interpersonal skills (active listening, empathy, social awareness, emotional awareness).

• Job TypeFull Time
• QualificationDiploma
• Experience2 years
• LocationNairobi
• Job FieldMedical / Healthcare&nbsp , Science&nbsp

Overall Job Function

Reporting to their respective Field Team Leads, the HBTS Counsellor will be responsible for conducting home-based testing services in selected households. They will also be responsible for obtaining informed consent, assent and parental/guardian permission from participants before taking part in the survey. Since the survey activities will be implemented in a phased approach across the country, the HBTS Counsellor will also be required to relocate to the respective assigned regions within the country.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend the full survey training to understand the purpose and intent of the survey, as well as the plan for implementation.
• Study and understand all instructions included in the KENPHIA II Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Coordinate with the Field Team Lead on how to carry out the survey and to report daily work done.
• Under the guidance of the Field team lead, visit identified Enumeration Areas (EA) and locate selected households according to KENPHIA II sample design.
• Obtain consent, assent and/or parental/guardian permission from all eligible members of the selected households using KENPHIA II approved forms programmed in a tablet.
• Conduct household and individual interviews by administering KENPHIA II approved questionnaires programmed in a tablet.
• Provide pre- and post-test counselling for HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis results to household survey participants. Provide referral and follow up on linkage to prevention, care and treatment and social services to all eligible survey participants.
• Ensure that all assigned interviews and HBTS reports are completed, and that collected data are complete, accurate and consistent.
• Validate and re-validate all information, responses and answers collected through the survey.
• Assure confidentiality of all information provided by survey participants.
• Update the Field Team Lead on completed and partially completed interviews and home-based testing services on a daily basis.
• Schedule and inform Field Team Lead of return visits for any incomplete interview/testing services.
• Be responsible for safety of all fieldwork materials and supplies under his/her custody.
• Accompany the Field Team Lead for community entry meetings.
• Report any protocol deviation to the Field Team Lead or regional linkage to care officers.
• Prepare and hand over summary of all referrals to the respective Regional LTC supervisors as well as support coordination for LTC at facilities.
• Report field incidents and adverse events to the Field Team Lead or Regional linkage to care officers.
• Participate in the survey quality management/quality assurance HBTS activities.
• Participating in survey meetings (virtual or in-person).
• Uphold the principle of ethics throughout the survey.
• Respond to questions or feedback from the survey implementation and data teams.
• To carry out other survey related duties and responsibilities as assigned

Requirements

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• NASCOP HIV Testing Services (HTS) Certificate
• Diploma in Social Science or training in any health-related field
• Good communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English, Kiswahili and relevant local languages as per the location of fieldwork.

Experience

• At least 2 years’ experience in HTS in a Kenyan health facility.
• Experience in Home-based testing and counseling
• Experience in field data collection and/or surveys will be an added advantage

Competencies

• Comfortable using electronic gadgets such as smart phones and tablets
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences.
• Must be fully available for the duration of survey period.
• Must have a good disciplinary record

Attributes: 

• Friendly and patient.
• Able to maintain high levels of confidentiality.
• Should have strong interpersonal skills (active listening, empathy, social awareness, emotional awareness). 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively and independently with minimal supervision.
• Detail orientated and highly organized as well as ability to multi-task and have problem-solving skills.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and to successfully manage multiple assignments concurrently.
• Ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Good personal work relation with other survey team members, Flexible and proactive.
• Proactive in handling challenging situations

• Job TypeFull Time
• QualificationDiploma
• Experience
• LocationNairobi
• Job FieldData, Business Analysis and AI&nbsp

Overall Job Function

Reporting to their respective Field Team Leads, Interviewers will be responsible for conducting interviews in selected households. They will also be responsible for obtaining informed consent, assent and parental/guardian permission from eligible participants before they take part in the survey. Interviewers will be cross trained to support HBTS Counsellors where applicable. Since the survey activities will be implemented on a phased approach across the country, the Interviewer will also be required to relocate to the respective assigned regions within the country.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend the full survey training to understand the purpose and intent of the survey, as well as the plan for implementation
• Study and understand all instruction included in the KENPHIA II Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Coordinate with the Field Team Lead on how to carry out the survey and to report daily work done.
• Under the guidance of the Field Team Lead, visit identified clusters and locate selected households according to KENPHIA II sample design
• Obtain consent, assent and/or parental/guardian permission from all eligible members of the selected households using KENPHIA II approved forms programmed in a tablet.
• Conduct household and individual interviews by administering KENPHIA II approved questionnaire programmed in a tablet.
• Ensure that all assigned interviews are completed, and that collected data are complete, accurate and consistent as per protocol
• Validate and re-validate all information and answers collected through the survey.
• Ensure the collected and validated data is sent to the server
• Respond to all questions/concerns raised by the household members concerning the survey
• Assure confidentiality of all information provided by survey participants.
• Update the Field Team Lead on completed and partially completed interviews and home-based testing on a daily basis.
• Schedule and inform the Field Team Lead of call backs for any incomplete interview.
• Be responsible for safety of all fieldwork materials and supplies under their custody.
• Accompany the Field Team Lead for community entry meetings.
• Report any unanticipated incident and protocol deviation to the Field Team Lead.
• Support the HBTS counsellor to provide assigned services such as counselling, identification of preferred facilities, filling of linkage forms and referral to prevention, care and treatment, and social services to all eligible survey participants. 
• Carry out other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• A Diploma in Social Science or health related field from a recognized institution.
• Good communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English, Kiswahili and relevant local languages as per the location of fieldwork.
• A HTS NASCOP certificate, valid proficiency testing, and experience is an added advantage.
• Training with IT background, high level proficient skills in computing with experience in use of data collection software’s such as ODK, KOBO Toolbox, REDCAP, CSPro.

Experience

• Proven experience in field data collection and/or survey implementation.
• Experience in HTS in a Kenyan health facility or Home-Based Testing and Counselling will be an added advantage

Competencies

• Comfortable using electronic gadgets such as smart phones and tablets.
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences.
• Must be fully available for the duration of the survey period.
• Must have a good disciplinary record

Attributes: 

• Friendly and patient.
• Able to maintain high levels of confidentiality.
• Should have strong interpersonal skills (active listening, empathy, social awareness, emotional awareness). 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively and independently with minimal supervision.
• Detail orientated and highly organized as well as ability to multi-task and have problem-solving skills.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and to successfully manage multiple assignments concurrently.
• Ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Good personal work relation with other survey team members, Flexible and proactive.
• Proactive in handling challenging situations

• Job TypeFull Time
• QualificationBA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
• Experience3 years
• LocationNairobi
• Job FieldMedical / Healthcare&nbsp , Science&nbsp

Overall Job Function

To provide technical analytical testing for KENPHIA II respondent samples for determination of HIV Prevalence and incidence (recency) at the Central Laboratory. Working under the Central Laboratory Coordinator, he or she will carry out verification of survey respondent sample shipment from satellite laboratories, catalogue them in testing batches, ensure testing is executed, facilitate archiving in biorepository using LDMS and support return of results to facilities of respondent’s choices for linkage to care and treatment in collaboration with the Laboratory data lead. Perform various duties to successfully fulfil the functions of this position including the following technical activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend the full survey training to understand the purpose and intent of the survey, as well as the plan for implementation.
• Verifying shipped samples from KENPHIA II satellite laboratories, check pre-analytical sample integrity/quality.
• Conduct Viral Load testing of identified KENPHIA II respondent samples shipped from satellite laboratories and return of results for linkage to prevention, care and treatment.
• Conduct Lag Avidity testing of identified KENPHIA II respondent samples.
• Participate in production of Training and Quality assurance panels for HIV, CD4 and Syphilis testing.
• Supporting Testing of DBS with for DNA PCR and returning results for linkage to prevention, care and treatment.
• Run HIV Geenius Confirmatory tests for computing the national prevalence as the KENPHIA II Laboratory SOPs.
• Facilitate any shipment of KENPHIA II samples for additional testing in recommended specialized laboratories with guidance from the Central Laboratory Coordinator.
• Carrying out Instrument/Equipment user routine maintenance, calibration checks and checking equipment book of life for
• Carry out sample repository using LDMS for future testing as defined in KENPHIA II Protocol and applicable SOPs.
• Provide technical support to field laboratory personnel and satellite laboratories on for challenges using barcodes, phlebotomy good practices, necessary documentation, packaging, use of LDMS on samples prepared for shipment to Central Testing Laboratory
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Central Laboratory Coordinator.
• Perform Quality Assurance measures in line with KENPHIA II SOP provision through the following activities:
• Kit Lot-to-Lot verification to establish fitness for purpose before distribution to testing KENPHIA II teams at both Satellite and Household facilities.
• Prepare Quality Control Samples/QC Materials (both Negative and Positive controls).
• Perform instrument daily maintenance of equipment to optimize functionality and accuracy of results generated.
• Monitor daily environmental controls necessary for testing and storage of reagents including sample storage in fridges and freezers including in the KENPHIA Biorepository.
• Perform competency assessment panels for the entire scope of testing work in the KENPHIA II Central Testing Laboratory.
• Provide on job trainings for new staff who have been brought in to support testing at Central Testing Laboratory level based KENPHIA training SOPs.

Requirements

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor of Science Medical Laboratory science or Biomedical sciences
• Master of Science in fields of Virology and Immunology will be an added advantage.
• For BSc. Medical Laboratory, they should be registered with the Kenya MedicalLaboratory Technologist and Technician Board (KMLTTB) and have a valid Practicing License and experience attachment in an ISO 15189 Accredited Laboratory.
• Training with IT background, high level proficient skills in computing, Laboratory information system (LIS).
• Knowledge and experience of quality management system essentials is critical in this assignment.
• Proficiency in use of Point of Care (POC) systems

 Experience

• 3 years’ experience working in an ISO accredited molecular laboratory.
• Experience in HIV Laboratory work; CD4, DNA PCR (EID) and HIV-1 Viral load testing/or Work involving specimen referring system.
• Experiences in previous similar surveys will be an added advantage 

Competencies

• Training with IT background, high level proficient skills in Computing.
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences.
• Must be fully available for the duration of survey.
• Must have a good disciplinary record

Attributes: 

The Central Laboratory Technologist must have the following general skills and attributes: 

• Detail orientated and highly organized as well as ability to multi-task and have problem-solving skills.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and to successfully manage multiple assignments concurrently.
• Ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Flexible and proactive.
• Able to maintain high levels of confidentiality

Method of Application

Use the link(s) below to apply on company website.