VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Who we are?

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a German federal enterprise offering workable, sustainable and effective solutions in political, economic and social change processes.

Most of our work is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). However, GIZ also operates on behalf of other German ministries and public and private bodies in Germany and abroad.

GIZ operates throughout Germany and in more than 130 countries worldwide. We have about 17,000 staff members around the globe, some 70% of whom are employed locally as national personnel.

GIZ was active in Liberia from 1974 until the outbreak of civil war in 1989. In 2010, GIZ reopened a regional office for Sierra Leone and Liberia in Monrovia, and is supporting sustainable economic development through various projects.

On behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, GIZ supports the Government of Liberia in the health sector through a project focusing on the improvement of surveillance and response system for diseases, especially those with epidemic potential in the partner counties in south east Liberia.

Strengthening laboratory capacity to assist clinical diagnosis and public health surveillance is a key activity of HSSEP project. The project supports measures to establish, improve and expand functionality of the laboratory system and build the capacity of laboratory technicians in the south east of Liberia.

For GIZ Health Project – Health System Strengthening and Epidemic Prevention (HSSEP) project we seek applications from suitable national candidates for

Position: Technical Advisor for Laboratory Capacity Development

Location: Monrovia, With in-country travel

Contract Period: Subject to agreement of the commissioner, this post is available up to August 2022 with an option of extension.

Responsibilities

The Technical advisor reports to the project Director. The Technical Advisor is responsible for

• Advising the Project Director on the direction and content of the laboratory capacity development strategy;
• Ensuring high quality technical input from GIZ into national policy development in the field of laboratories;
• Support targeted laboratories in the south east through a coaching and mentoring approach to improve laboratory quality management;
• Facilitating the wide range of GIZ activities (direct activities or activities implemented by international consultants and/or NGOs) which support the improvement of laboratory quality management and the development of the network of south eastern laboratories;
• Supporting project management, coordination with stakeholders and knowledge management;
• Frequent communication with project director and other HSSEP team members to coordinate activities and support during travels of team members to the south east of Liberia.

Tasks

• Representing GIZ at the Laboratory Technical Working Group and advising on the scope and delivery of any GIZ contribution to TWG work plan;
• Provide technical input into the overall design of the GIZ contribution to laboratory capacity development in south east Liberia through advice to the Project Director;
• Technical input into procurement of equipment and small-scale investments in infrastructure, training and consultancy projects to be managed by GIZ, and maximizing the return on the investment;
• Managing contracts with service providers and implementing partners commissioned by GIZ to work in the labs sector;
• Technical oversight of relations with key partners at central and regional level (MoH and NPHIL, CDOs, Biomedical Technicians, laboratory staff), the donor community;
• Supporting processes for the monitoring and evaluation of the GIZ contribution in this sector against the agreed Results Framework;
• Supporting the preparation and implementation of workshops, seminars and other events or trainings;
• Ensuring knowledge management and supporting PR, reporting and research activities;
• Collaborate with TA assigned in Harper to implement laboratory capacity development programs;
• Prepare and submit monthly activity report to Project Director;
• Performs other duties and tasks at the request of line manager.

Required qualifications, competences and experience

Qualifications

• As a minimum, a key requirement is a Medical Laboratory Technician diploma, or equivalent. Additional qualifications (BSs in laboratory services, nursing, public health, epidemiology etc.) are desirable.

Professional experience

• At least 2 years professional experience in the Liberian health sector or a comparable region, including time in operational and management and teaching positions in the laboratory sector.

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Experience in project management, including planning and monitoring, and in advisory/consulting work;
• A high standard of fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
• Excellent working knowledge of standard IT technologies/applications, notably MS Outlook, Excel, Word;
• High level of integrity, diligence, capacity for teamwork and willingness to learn;
• Experience in Laboratory Quality Management System Implementation using WHO-Afro approved standards and experience with SLMTA/SLIPTA process is an advantage;
• Previous experience with GIZ or German cooperation is advantage.

Note: The post will be based in Monrovia. The Project director and most of the team working for HSSEP are based in Monrovia. Team members/project director will undertake frequent travels to Harper and the south east of Liberia. There is a project office in Harper that is being used as office and over night stay in Harper.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and CV to recruitment-liberia@giz.de Or apply via the system below by July 28th, 2021.

Applications will be reviewed when received. Early applications are strongly encouraged. As your application e-mail subject, please write: “Advisor Laboratory”

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.