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Position Title:
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (LABORATORY OPERATIONS) /WARM BASE
Position Number:
003-C
Project Worksite:
Central Office/AMD, Clinical and Research Labs (1 position)
Deadline for submission: Friday, October 13, 2023, at 5:00pm Liberia Time
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:
Under the overall guidance and direction of the Network Director, the Assistant Director for Laboratory Operations will provide strategic guidance, direction, and oversight on the overall clinical and science activities of the PREVAIL initiative. The Assistant Director of Laboratory Operations will support the Network Director and Deputy Directors of Clinical Operations and Administration in the effectiveness of operational service delivery. The position will represent the program on the Operations Management Team (OMT) and will liaise with other colleagues to successfully deliver operational excellence to clinical operations and laboratory operations for clinical trials. The Assistant Director for Laboratory Operations will oversee the Pharmacy Unit and will work closely with the Clinical and Research Laboratory Managers to facilitate communication and collaboration between the clinical and research laboratories. The position will also serve as the subject matter expert on laboratory operations to facilitate synergies between the clinical and research laboratories and will be responsible for resolving disputes and escalating problems for resolution to the OMT and Network Director. The position will also 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. The Assistant Director for Laboratory Operations will also be responsible for identifying synergies between the clinical and research laboratories, , analyzing and reporting scientific data, and enhancing capacities and trainings in conjunction with the Laboratory Managers. The Assistant Director for Laboratory Operations will also collaborate and coordinate with the Assistant Director Data Management to ensure synergy in operations and effectiveness in service delivery.
Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:
Description of Responsibilities
 Collaborates with the PREVAIL Leadership Team to provide expertise and knowledge sharing to the PREVAIL Project, and staff
 Collaborates with the Operations Management Teams and TMG/HQ’s Clinical Research Manager to ensure programs are designed according to organization and industry best practices, program framework and regulations Partnership for Research on Vaccines and Infectious Diseases in Liberia (PREVAIL) Liberia – U.S. Joint Clinical Research Partnership The Mitchell Group, Inc. (TMG)
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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 overall support to the leadership and management of programs, ensuring strategic program direction, managed growth and compliance with organization policies and procedures as well as donor regulations
 Serve as a subject matter expert on Laboratory questions within the PREVAIL team and with collaborative partners.
 Provides timely and accurate financial and programmatic reports to 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
 Reviews and approves lab Standard Operation Procedure
 Ensures that quality assessment activities are done effectively
 Ensures quality services are provided
 Ensures safe environmental conditions
 Ensures general supervisor provides onsite supervision as required for high complexity testing for qualified personnel
 Ensures testing systems in the laboratories are appropriate for study participants,
 Ensures physical and environmental conditions of the laboratories are adequate and appropriate for research,
 Ensures there is an adequate number of staff to properly provide consultation.
 Ensures that PREVAIL labs are supervised, and tests are performed in accordance with the written PREVAIL policies
 Supervises Laboratory managers to ensure that new test procedures are reviewed and included in the procedure manual and followed by personnel; and
 Ensures that Laboratory employees’ responsibilities and duties are specified in writing,
 Develops and institute a mechanism for effective communication among management and all personnel in the laboratory,
 Routinely reviews quality control and quality assessment activities to ensure problems occurring within the laboratory are identified and corrected
 Ensures that the quality assessment activities include a mechanism for resolution of any complaints received against the laboratory
 Ensures that the quality assessment activities include a mechanism to address any breakdown in communication between the laboratory and people authorized to order tests and receive test results,
 Review policies and procedures for personnel evaluation.
Skills:
 Strong knowledge of Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP) and procedures with analytical testing for research studies.
 Ability to analyze data to solve problems of moderate scope
 Ability to exercise judgment within defined policies and procedures to determine appropriate action
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 Sound decision-making ability when addressing issues that affect delays in schedules and the goals of the department
 Ability 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
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
 Education: Must be a licensed laboratory professional with a of BSc degree, at a minimum, in Medical Laboratory Technology or similar field
 Preferred Job-related Experience: Typically requires 4-5 years of laboratory management utilizing Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLPs)
 Additional Eligibility Qualifications: Minimum 4 years of experience in line management of staff.
Application Instructions:
Click the apply button below