Technical Officer Laboratory

Centre for Health Solutions – Kenya (CHS) is an indigenous, not-for-profit organisation that utilises local expertise and strategic partnerships to ensure the implementation of evidence informed solutions and interventions to existing and emerging public health concerns.

CHS recently received a five-year award from USAID. The USAID-funded TB ReSET (Resilient Systems for Enhanced and Sustainable Innovations to End TB) project is a 5-year cooperative agreement aimed at strengthening Kenya’s tuberculosis (TB) control efforts. The activity was awarded in May 2024, and seeks to reduce TB incidence and Mortality by increasing the detection of all forms of TB, improving TB treatment outcomes, enhancing TB prevention among high-risk populations, and building the capacity and sustainability of the national and county-level TB programs. This is a national mechanism with in-depth support for 16 deep focus counties.

This project is led by Centre for Health Solutions-Kenya (CHS), with four sub-recipients; Respiratory Society of Kenya (RESOK), Stop TB Partnership-Kenya, EPCON and Management Sciences for Health (MSH). Through these strategic partnerships and collaboration with the Ministry of Health at national and county levels, the project will play a critical role in the country’s strategy to make progress towards the global End TB goals.

CHS is therefore currently sourcing for a high calibre, self-motivated and dynamic individual with high integrity to fill the following position:

Laboratory Officer: CHS/HR/ TBReSET /LO/001/2024

Overall Job Function

Reporting to the Senior Technical Officer-Diagnostics of the USAID-TB ReSET project, the incumbent will be responsible for providing technical support in the planning, design, and implementation of TB diagnostic laboratory services with a key focus in 16 deep focus counties. The implementation will be collaboratively conducted with the Ministry of Health, Kenya Division of National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Lung Disease Program (DNTLD-P), County Health Management Teams, and Implementing Partners.

Key Responsibilities

1. Assist in the design, planning, and implementation of laboratory activities for TB diagnostic and monitoring services in 16 deep focus counties for the USAID-TB ReSET activity.
2. Provide technical support for the adoption, scale-up, and adaptation of TB diagnostics, including GeneXpert, Truenat, TB LAMP, and LED microscopy.
3. Support the optimization of the TB diagnostic network by implementing disease multi-testing and aligning with national recommendations.
4. Support the adoption and scale-up of non-sputum-based tests and latent TB testing using IGRA.
5. Provide technical assistance in developing and reviewing TB laboratory guidelines, curricula, SOPs, job aids, and other materials.
6. Assist in the design and implementation of quality management and quality assurance services and systems, including Microscopy, Truenat, LF LAM, TB LAMP, and GeneXpert.
7. Work closely with county lab teams in the forecasting, quantification, and management of TB laboratory supplies at both county and national levels.
8. Provide technical assistance in establishing and optimizing TB diagnostic sample transport networks, including the implementation of Culture and DST, and the EID VL courier system for the country.
9. To provide technical assistance to facility-level laboratory managers, mWRDs Superusers including: establishing routine workflow; developing/refining SOPs, job aids, log books, and referral forms as needed; planning of lab activities to improve test performance and decrease turnaround time; and developing and implementing an equipment maintenance program.
10. Support Implementation and monitoring of efficient documentation of laboratory results at the sites, as well as effective linkages between laboratory and clinical services.
11. Support county-level lab managers in establishing routine workflows and developing SOPs, job aids, log books, and referral forms.
12. Support implementation of mWRDs service level agreement specifically in collaboration with the DNTLD-P and County health management teams (CHMT)
13. Assist in drafting annual reports and other materials such as lessons learned, abstracts, and case studies.
14. Participate in program monitoring and evaluation, using data to inform planning and continuous improvement.
15. To participate in the committee of experts (CoE) meetings at national and technical working groups at the county levels on TB diagnostics.
16. Identify opportunities for organizational growth and sustainability.
17. Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Professional requirements

• Degree in Clinical Laboratory Services.
• Registration with KMLTTB and an annual practice license.
• Five years’ experience in managing laboratory services in TB and HIV programs.
• Experience with MOH and donor funded programs is an added advantage.
• Experience with design of programs, SOPs, tools and guidelines.
• Experience in capacity building of laboratory personnel.
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain relationships with project staff, donors, sub-contractors and other partners.
• Ability to identify problems, design interventions and oversee their implementation.
• Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Kiswahili.
• Outstanding levels of integrity.