Job Vacancies details and Application
Overview: The East African Community is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Uganda with its Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC mission is to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments.
This is an exciting opportunity for highly motivated and result-driven professionals who are citizens of East African Community Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Uganda) to apply for the following positions below tenable at East African Community-Secretariat:
Position: MEDICAL LABORATORY PROGRAMME ASSISTANT
(REF: EAC/HR/2018-19/02)
Grade: General Staff Category (G5)
Reports to: EAC Senior Medical Laboratory Officer
Department: Health
Organ/Institution: EAC Secretariat
Collaborating Sectors: Health & Agriculture & Livestock (One Health)
Project duration: 3 Years (November 2017 – November 2020) with a possibility of extension
Duty Station: Arusha – Tanzania
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
To provide effective and efficient general programme management and technical support services for the establishment and operationalization of the “EAC Regional Network of Public Health Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases”.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assist with general programme management and administrative support services for the establishment and operationalization of the “EAC Regional Network of Public Health Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases as well as to assist in the implementation of various EAC regional cross-border disease prevention and control projects and programmes as may be assigned from time to time;
Assist to coordinate the field deployment and operationalization of the modern mobile medical laboratory diagnostic equipment, including biosafety measures for fast detection and response to epidemic diseases in the EAC Partner States,
Assist in the organization and facilitation of internal and external meetings, training courses, seminars, conferences, field visits, workshops and events in liaison with the relevant professional staff of the “EAC Regional Network of Public Health Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases” at both regional, national and sub-national levels in the EAC Partner States, including in cross-border areas,
Assist in the development and preparation of integrated results oriented annual work plans and other organization-wide activities (setting objectives, developing strategies, budgeting, developing policies and procedures, and organizing the functions necessary to accomplish the activities) of the “EAC Regional Network of Public Health Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases” and those of various EAC regional cross-border disease prevention and control projects and programmes as may be assigned from time to time;
Assist in the writing and compilation of various technical and administrative reports relevant to the “EAC Regional Network of Public Health Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases” and those of various EAC regional cross-border disease prevention and control projects and programmes as may be assigned from time to time;
Assist in preparing memos, letters, reports and other documents as may be required.
Assist in arranging meetings, take and prepare meeting minutes, draft letters.
Assist to coordinate and facilitate activities of the Project Steering Committee (PSC), the EAC Regional Expert Working Group (EWG) on Medical Laboratory and Diagnostics Services, the EAC Technical Working Group (TWG) on Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases and various Technical Expert Panels of the project
Assist to coordinate and facilitate the joint activities of the EAC Partner States’ National Medical Laboratory and Diagnostics Services Training Institutions and also the meetings and activities of the EAC Partner States’ National Statutory Regulatory Professional Boards, Councils, Associations and Societies and related international collaborating bodies and partners;
Assist to coordinate operational health research, monitoring and evaluation of the project;
Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
(1) Must have at least a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences from a recognized institution;
(2) Further training or qualification in Public Health, Health Services Management or Project Management is an added advantage,
(3) Must have working experience of at least eight (8) years in providing or managing medical laboratory services at national and sub national levels or relevant regional or international organizations;
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
A self-driven individual with ability to work under minimal supervision, good computer skills, excellent communication, presentation and inter-personal skills.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:
This is an EAC regional level health sector project staff position with an initial three-year contract which may be renewed subject to satisfactory performance and availability of donor funds.
EDUCATIONS QUALIFICATIONS:
All candidates applying must have qualifications that are recognized by the relevant national accreditation body in their respective Partner State. This condition is applicable for locally and internationally attained qualifications.
All professions that require registration with the specific professional bodies will be expected to do so in compliance with the requirements of their respective Partner States.
Position: SENIOR MEDICAL LABORATORY OFFICER
(REF: EAC/HR/2018-19/01)
Grade: Professional staff Category (P2)
Reports to: Principal Health Officer (PHO)
Department: Health
Collaborating Sectors: Health & Agriculture & Livestock (One Health)
Organ/Institution: EAC Secretariat
Project duration: 3 Years (November 2017- November 2020) with a possibility of extension
Duty Station: Arusha, Tanzania
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
To coordinate the establishment and implementation of the “EAC Regional Network of Public Health Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases”,including the review and harmonization of EAC Partner States’ National Medical Laboratory and Diagnostics Services Policies, Legislation, Strategies and facilitate the development and implementation of regional strategic plans, projects, programmes, initiatives and joint interventions, including medical laboratory and diagnostics quality assurance and accreditation in order to strengthen the capacities in all five EAC Partner States to respond to various infectious diseases pathogens of Biosafety Level 3 and 4 nature and other outbreaks of communicable diseases, prone to cause cross-border epidemics, by rapid diagnostic capacities that enable timely and effective interventions and response.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
In coordination and close collaboration with the National Focal Points (NFPs) the “EAC Regional Network of Public Health Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases” and other regional and stakeholders involved in the project, the EAC Senior Medical Laboratory Officer will facilitate the implementation of the following mandates to support medical laboratory and diagnostics services strengthening efforts in the EAC Partner states:
Coordinate and provide technical support on the establishment and operationalization of the “EAC Regional Network of Public Health Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases” at country and regional level, and promote harmonized approaches across the EAC Partner States;
Coordinate the field deployment and operationalization of the modern mobile medical laboratory diagnostic equipment, including biosafety measures for fast detection and response to epidemic diseases in the EAC Partner States;
Coordinate regional and international proficiency testing by quality assurance testing schemes in close collaboration with various stakeholders and partners;
Coordinate the harmonization and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including the collection, preparation, shipment, processing and storage of medical samples and biological specimens;
Coordinate regional cooperation in the review, update and harmonization of Pre- and In-service training for various cadres of medical laboratory personnel at the different levels of the health care system at regional, national and sub-national levels in the EAC Partner States;
Coordinate and facilitate regional capacity strengthening for medical laboratory personnel and institutions to enable them participate fully in surveillance of epidemic prone diseases including Anti-Microbial Resistance Monitoring, among others;
Coordinate and facilitate operational research and dissemination of evidence based innovations in medical laboratory services and diagnostics for communicable diseases in the EAC region;
Coordinate and facilitate the medical laboratory twinning and technical exchange of expertise and sharing of best practices, attachments, internships, joint cross-border investigations, joint training, innovations and operational health research under the “East African Community Integrated Disease Surveillance Network (EAIDSNet)”;
Coordinate and facilitate the establishment and strengthening of sustainable international linkages and collaboration with other internationally recognised medical and public health reference laboratories in various parts of the World;
Coordinate and facilitate the establishment and operationalization of an“EAC Mobile Phone-Based Communicable Diseases Outbreak Notification Hotline and Messaging System” as an innovative electronic reporting system linking primary health workers and district/county medical laboratory and other hospital staff directly to the “International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Point” in each Country to notify them of any evidence of substantive medical Laboratory Diagnosis of an infectious-disease outbreak anywhere in the country in order to set in motion appropriate response activities;
Promote a positive corporate culture and image of the EAC;
Coordinate and facilitate in close collaboration with various national, regional and international stakeholders and partners, regular technical training addressing all procedures and techniques required in the operation of the mobile medical laboratories including advanced diagnostic methods and their interpretation;
Coordinate development ofStandard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all procedures and techniques under the mobile medical laboratories, including biosafety issues;
Coordinate and facilitate in close collaboration with various national, regional and international stakeholders and partners regular external regional and international quality assurance, accreditation and proficiency testing schemes.”;
Facilitate and/or support the harmonization of quality assurance systems for public health laboratories in the project countries as well as support the implementation and harmonization of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and standards;
Coordinate and facilitate activities of the Project Steering Committee (PSC), the EAC Regional Expert Working Group (EWG) on Medical Laboratory and Diagnostics Services, the EAC Technical Working Group (TWG) on Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases and various Technical Expert Panels of the project;
Coordinate and facilitate the joint activities of the EAC Partner States’ National Medical Laboratory and Diagnostics Services Training Institutions and also the meetings and activities of the EAC Partner States’ National Statutory Regulatory Professional Boards, Councils, Associations and Societies and related international collaborating bodies and partners;
Coordinate the process of harmonization and strengthening of the regulation of medical devices and diagnostics to facilitate the provision of accessible, safe, efficient, affordable and quality health care services in the EAC Partner states;
Organize Meetings, Conferences, Workshops, and Seminars and prepare periodic reports related to implementation of the project, as stipulated in the grant agreement;
Contribute to the process of learning and knowledge sharing by convening knowledge exchange for a, including distance and e-Learning.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
1) A Master’sDegree in Medical Laboratory Sciencesfrom a recognized institution;
2) Postgraduate training in Public Health, Health Services Management and Epidemiology is an added advantage
3) At least 8 years’ experiencein managing medical laboratory services in all the following areas:
(i) Project/program planning, implementation and coordination at national and regional levels.
(ii) Facilitating workshops and meetings at the national and regional levels.
(iii) Developing policies, guidelines and procedures for medical laboratory programs.
(iv) Conducting research
(v) Supporting epidemic/pandemic preparedness and response initiatives
4) Must have served in a senior position for at least 3 years by the time of application
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
Strong programming, report writing and proposal development skills.
Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of Kiswahili language is an advantage.
Computer literacy especially with respect to PowerPoint, Microsoft word and excel and Microsoft project and at least either SPSS, STATA or Epi Info
Team player with demonstrably goodinter-personal, and leadership skills
Strong analytical skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Familiarity with medical laboratory quality systems, bio-safety, and training in the EAC Partner States
Self-motivated with ability to work under minimum supervision
ability to work in multi-cultural environment and ability to plan and manage own work, including managing conflicting priorities for timely completion of assignment
Familiarity with the work of regional or international inter-governmental organizations is highly desirable
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:
Thisis an EAC regional level health sector project staff positionwith an initial three-year contract which may be renewed subject to satisfactory performance and availability of donor funds.
EDUCATIONS QUALIFICATIONS:
All candidates applying must have qualifications that are recognized by the relevant national accreditation body in their respective Partner State. This condition is applicable for locally and internationally attained qualifications.
All professions that require registration with the specific professional bodies will be expected to do so in compliance with the requirements of their respective Partner States.
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE:
Internship, training and apprenticeship will not be considered as relevant work experience.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
The EAC is an equal opportunity employer; therefore, female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. EAC will only respond to those candidates who strictly meet the set requirements.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates who meet the qualification and experience requirements for the above mentioned positions are advised to send their applications, detailed curriculum vitae, photocopies of academic certificates, names and contact details of three referees, and copy of National Identity Card, or Birth Certificate or Passport showing date of birth. Please quote the respective reference number on both the application letter and envelope. For electronic submission, please quote the respective reference number on the subject of the email and send to the address given below.
Applications should be submitted to the address below not later than Friday, 15th March 2019.
Please note:
You may submit your application either electronically or in hard copy but not both.
Applications which do not: indicate nationality and age; the reference number; or have an application letter attached; have certified copies of their academic degrees and other professional Certificates; or fail to provide three referees will be disqualified.
Only qualified candidates will be contacted.
EAC Staff Rules and Regulations preclude considerations of applicants above 55 years of age.
EAC does not require candidates to pay money for the recruitment process
The Secretary General
East African Community
P. O. Box 1096
Arusha – Tanzania.
Tel: +255 27 2162100
Fax: +255 27 2162190
E-mail: [email protected]
Website : www.eac.int
