Will be dependent upon education, skills and level of experience. 

Background

The Project Coordinator will support the laboratory systems strengthening work of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) in meeting the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) goals. APHL, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), collaborates with the CDC Vietnam Office to support the Ministry of Health (MOH) laboratory initiatives.

 

The candidate will possess an advanced degree as well as obtain extensive laboratory and public health experience in Vietnam. The candidate will lead, coordinate, facilitate and implement the day-to-day activities to strengthen laboratory systems, on behalf of APHL in collaboration with CDC Vietnam. APHL activities will provide support to strengthen biosafety/biosecurity, enhance laboratory information systems for critical laboratory management, strengthen laboratory quality management systems, conduct a seroprevalence study, and improve public health laboratory testing capacity in Vietnam. The candidate will serve as a full-time contracted employee to APHL through September 29, 2022, with annual renewal subject to satisfactory performance and continued availability of funds. APHL Headquarters is located in Silver Spring, Maryland and this is a field position located in Hanoi.

 

APHL (www.APHL.org) works to strengthen laboratory systems serving the public’s health in the United States and globally.

 

Scope

APHL is seeking a Project Coordinator with a background in laboratory sciences such as microbiology and/or virology, and public health to support Vietnam’s public health laboratory system. The scope of work will primarily focus on supporting PEPFAR and GHSA activities, with an emphasis on strengthening the public health laboratory system. The scope may include coordination with private laboratories and other health facilities that may be engaged in diagnostic testing. This individual will liaise with CDC Vietnam, MOH, laboratory directors and other collaborating partners in Vietnam and implement agreed upon strategies to enhance the public health laboratory system and improve overall surveillance systems. The individual will have a strong understanding of the laboratory systems in Vietnam with relevant experience. The candidate will demonstrate excellent communication and organizational skills.

 

 

• Provide technical assistance in the design, implementation, and monitoring of strategies to strengthen the public health laboratory system
• Review and synthesize existing laboratory/facility assessments including Joint External Evaluation (JEE) reports, laboratory operational plan and other assessment reports to identify activities for public health laboratory system strengthening and quality improvement
• Coordinate and support implementation of public health laboratory system activities including, but not limited to, strengthening biosafety/biosecurity, enhancing laboratory information systems for critical laboratory management, strengthening laboratory quality management systems, assisting with a seroprevalence study, and improving public health laboratory testing capacity in Vietnam
• Serve as APHL’s key liaison to CDC and MOH, host government counterparts, local organizations, other stakeholders and program partners
• Coordinates, plans, and otherwise facilitates the meetings between CDC, MOH and other stakeholders
• Represent APHL at national, regional, and global meetings (as appropriate).
• Arrange, support and coordinate regular meetings with public health laboratory and other sector laboratory leadership, directorates and sub-directorates to ensure constant coordination of
• Support monitoring of public health system enhancement activities in collaboration with laboratory network leaders, APHL and CDC
• Use experience and expertise to develop partnerships and system strengthening strategies, using established best practices and international standards
• Participate in writing publications, reports, briefings and/or other written and oral strategic and scientific communications to highlight accomplishments/progress of activities
• Coordinate and work with diverse groups or organizations and stakeholders, including Ministry of Health, laboratory leaders, laboratory facility staff, international development organizations, APHL HQ and CDC
• Other duties as requested

Required:

 

• An advanced degree in laboratory science or public health; MS, PhD, MD or MPH preferred
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive and relevant experience
• Knowledge and experience in diagnosis of infectious diseases and AMR
• Knowledgeable of current developments in diagnosis of infectious diseases including molecular methods
• Experience/knowledge strengthening laboratories to achieve international quality standards including ISO 15189 or in-country standards
• Experience engaging with stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a team and across multiple partners
• Ability to support and inform US CDC and other partners on laboratory operational and quality issues.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Excellent work record that shows self-motivation
• Skill in use of Microsoft Office software (MS Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to travel within Vietnam to work for short-term (1-3 week) assignments at laboratories that may be outside commuting distance to home
• Bilingual - fluent in written and spoken English and Vietnamese

 

Preferred

• Knowledge and experience within public health programs in Vietnam
• Managerial/Supervisory experience
• Experience working with US Government grants and programs preferred

  

The duties and responsibilities may be assigned as required. APHL reserves the right to amend or change this position description to meet the needs of its programs.

 

• Knowledge of diagnostics for anti-microbial resistance (AMR), diagnostic microbiology, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), and confirmatory and specialized testing for priority communicable diseases. Knowledge of laboratory information systems including but not limited to electronic systems.
• Knowledge of laboratory networks and quality management systems
• Knowledge of current sample referral system within Vietnam.
• Familiarity of GHSA and the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and strategies being used in Vietnam and/or elsewhere to support GHSA goals and objectives, specifically related to emerging infectious diseases and AMR.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret international standards documents related to quality in laboratories.
• Knowledge of and ability to evaluate laboratory operations according to national and international standards including ISO 15189.
• Knowledge of socio-political environment and impact on public health laboratory system functioning and policies including legal, financial, and social influences

Synthesize information and translate into action. Skilled in laboratory techniques, quality management system, accreditation, strong verbal communication and presentation skills required (English and Vietnamese).

Ability to maintain an approachable attitude, act consistently and provide realistic advice in the context of resources. Ability to effectively engage and collaborate with partners and stakeholders with varying priorities. Ability to work with stakeholders to prioritize the needs and guide the planning process.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee could be exposed to outdoor weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment may vary from light to moderate depending on the location.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a colleague to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the colleague is required to sit for long periods at a time; type using a computer keyboard; visually read information off of a computer monitor; talk, hear, and orally communicate information over the telephone. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Performance evaluation will be based on the abilities in meeting the criteria outlined herein.

Please note that this position is intended for a Vietnamese national. CV and letter of interest should be in English. Submissions will be reviewed by APHL. Staff selections will be made based on the number of applications received, relevant experience and demonstration of ability to work in international settings. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled.

Sherrie Staley

May have direct reports.

The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are illustrative ones anticipated for this position. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as required. Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) reserves the right to amend or change this job description to meet the needs of its programs. This job description and any attachments do not constitute or represent a contract.

Association of Public Health Laboratories is an Equal Opportunity Employer.