Position Title: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, LABORATORY OPERATIONS Position Number: TBD

Reports To: Network Director

Project Worksite: Central Office JFK & LIBR

About PREVAIL

PREVAIL, or the Partnership for Research on Vaccines and Infectious Diseases in Liberia, is a clinical research partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Liberian Ministry of Health.

Summary of Position

This position will serve as an Assistant Director for Laboratory Operations overseeing the PREVAIL clinical and research laboratory operations in Liberia. This position will report directly to the Network Director and in partnership with the other Deputy and Assistant Directors as part of the Operations and Management Team. They will collaborate with management to ensure objectives are met and are aligned with organizational goals. This position will work closely with the Clinical and Research Laboratory Managers to facilitate communication and collaboration between the clinical and research laboratories. They will be empowered with decision ownership and be responsible for ensuring strong communication and coordination of decisions between the laboratory team and the study and site operations teams. As such, ability to communicate effectively and clearly with all laboratory colleagues is critical. They will be responsible for serving as the subject matter expert on laboratory operations to facilitate synergies between the clinical and research laboratories. This position will be responsible for resolving disputes and escalating problems for resolution to the OMT and Director. They will provide input to OMT, study PIs, and the Director regarding laboratory needs associated with studies including but not limited to equipment, validation, IT, biorepository, and staff. They will also be responsible for identifying synergies between the clinical and research laboratories, providing subject matter expertise as needed to PREVAIL leadership, analyzing and reporting scientific data, and enhancing capacities and trainings in conjunction with the Laboratory Managers. They will coordinate the oversight, with the Laboratory Managers.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Description of Responsibilities

▪ Collaborates with the Network Director/Project Director to provide leadership to the PREVAIL Project, and staff

▪ Collaborates with in the Operations Management Teams and headquarter based technical staff to ensure programs are designed according to organization and industry best practices, program framework and regulations

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▪ Collaborates with the Director to proactively identify opportunities for new initiatives and funding to support them

▪ Communicate effectively with Laboratory leads, PREVAIL directory, study directors, collaborators and Operational Management Team.

▪ Provides support to the overall leadership and management to programs, ensuring strategic program direction, managed growth and compliance with organization policies and procedures and donor regulations

▪ Serve as a subject matter laboratory expert within the PREVAIL team and with collaborative partners.

▪ Provides timely and accurate financial and programmatic reports to c management and donors as required

▪ Prepares and monitors approved budgets for assigned projects

▪ Provides supportive guidance and supervision to Technical and Program staff, and Managers who are charged to implement programs within the assigned area of expertise ▪ Collaborates with Technical and Program staff to ensure that program implementation is managed closely through the development of structured work plans, indicator tracking sheets and approved monitoring plans

▪ Collaborates with Operations and cross functional groups on matters concerning staff development so as to maintain project accountability and scale in the short term and fast track capacity building for the long term

▪ Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support

Skills:

▪ Strong knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP/GCPs) and procedures with analytical testing for research studies.

▪ Able to analyze data to solve problems of moderate scope

▪ Exercise judgment within defined policies and procedures to determine appropriate action ▪ Sound decision-making ability when addressing issues that affect delays in schedules and the goals of the department

▪ Able to motivate team members and create strategies to boost productivity ▪ Excellent oral and written communication skills

▪ Excellent organizational and analytical skills

▪ Project or technical leadership required

▪ Supervisory or management experience required

▪ Able to read, write, and speak fluent English

Leadership Competencies:

▪ Commitment to the Organization, its Mission and Values

▪ Cultural Sensitivity / Valuing Diversity

▪ Building and Managing Relationships / Encourages Collaboration

▪ Performance Management / Promotes Staff Accountability

▪ Conflict Management / Coaching and Mentoring

▪ Results Orientation / Commitment to Excellence

▪ Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning

Qualifications

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▪ Education: Must be a licensed laboratory professional with a degree or diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology

▪ Preferred Job-related Experience: Typically requires 3-5 years of laboratory management utilizing Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs)

▪ Additional Eligibility Qualifications: Minimum 3 years of experience in line management of staff.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned with or without notice.

FHI Clinical values the diversity of our workforce. Without limiting the scope of the preceding provision, all persons who work or who seek to work in Liberia are entitled to enjoy and to exercise the rights and protections conferred by the Decent Work Act of 2015 irrespective of: race, tribe, indigenous group, language, colour, descent, national, social or ethnic extraction or origin, economic status, community or occupation; immigrant or temporary resident status; sex, gender identity or sexual orientation; marital status or family responsibilities; previous, current or future pregnancy or breastfeeding; age; creed, religion or religious belief; political affiliation or opinion, or ideological conviction; physical or mental disability; health status including HIV or AIDS status, whether actual or perceived; irrelevant criminal record, acquittal of a crime or dismissal of a criminal prosecution against them; or personal association with someone possessing or perceived to possess one or more of these attributes.

The deadline for application is Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at 5pm

Process to apply for this position:

Deliver the application to: FHI Clinical Administrative Office

University of Liberia AM Dogliotti Campus

Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia

OR

Send an email to: LiberiaRecruitment@fhiclinical.com

INCLUDE: Position Title, Current CV/Résumé, FHI Clinical Job Application Form

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