This is an in-country position located in Malawi. Flexibility to accommodate in-country travel up to 20% is required with the possibility of occasional international travel up to 10%.

 

The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the pay range listed below.

 

$52,000 - $65,000 USD annually

The Lead Specialist will support the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) laboratory systems strengthening work in
Malawi. APHL is a nonprofit based in the United States, with offices globally. This project is funded through a grant from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation (CDC Foundation). This work will be a multi-year project aimed at
obtaining buy-in from relevant stakeholders and establishing testing capacity for blood lead level testing in diverse populations
across the country. This position will work closely with APHL-HQ, other supporting partners on this project, and the Ministry of
Health (MoH) and other ministries that may be stakeholders in blood lead level testing. This position is based in Malawi and will
support activities including capacity assessment, sample collection and testing coordination, strategic planning, laboratory
leadership, workforce development, sample referral and transportation, data management, quality management systems, and
other laboratory testing activities. The candidate will possess an advanced degree and extensive laboratory work experience in
Malawi, with expertise in clinical chemistry, toxicology, and the use of mass spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry
instruments. The candidate will serve as a full-time APHL staff member for the duration of the grant, with renewal contingent
upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. This position requires travel within Malawi and may involve
occasional international travel.

APHL (www.APHL.org) works to strengthen laboratory systems that serve public health in the United States and globally.
APHL is seeking a Lead Specialist with experience in laboratory sciences, specifically toxicology and clinical chemistry, as they
relate to testing for metals in biological samples. The scope may include private laboratories and other healthcare facilities that
are engaged in diagnostic and surveillance testing. The scope of work will primarily focus on supporting the CDC Foundation
and APHL-HQ. This individual will work closely with the APHL-Ghana Country Director and the Blood Lead Level team to liaise
with the CDC Foundation, the Ministry of Health, and other collaborating partners in Malawi and implement agreed-upon
strategies to enhance the public health laboratory network and improve overall surveillance systems. The individual will have a
strong understanding of Malawi's laboratory systems and relevant experience. In addition, the candidate will demonstrate
excellent communication (English), be able to work as a lead in this project in Malawi and have organizational skills.

 

At this time, this position is funded through May 31, 2027 and is dependent upon continued availability of funds.

 

The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) works to strengthen laboratory systems serving the public’s health in the U.S. and globally. APHL’s member laboratories protect the public’s health by monitoring and detecting infectious and foodborne diseases, environmental contaminants, terrorist agents, genetic disorders in newborns and other diverse health threats.

• Support the APHL-HQ Senior Manager in providing technical assistance in designing, implementing, and monitoring strategies to strengthen the public health laboratory network, aligned with the national laboratory strategic plan.
• Provide laboratory training and mentorship on toxicology as it relates to blood lead level surveillance throughout the country.
• Conduct assessments of the laboratories and assess readiness and capabilities to perform this testing.
• Contribute to staff skills development and knowledge gain by individual and group teaching and training, especially in blood lead testing and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), validation and verification studies, and quality management systems.
• Support procurement of laboratory equipment, supplies, and quality assurance materials.
• Support for twinning programs between in-country stakeholders and U.S. public health laboratories.
• Support implementation of public health laboratory network enhancement activities, including, but not limited to, sample referral and transport mechanisms, quality management systems, data management, workforce development, and biosafety and biosecurity.
• Represent APHL at national and regional meetings (as appropriate).
• Coordinate and work with diverse groups or organizations and stakeholders, including the MoH, laboratory leaders, and
  laboratory facility staff, international development organizations, APHL HQ, and CDC Foundation.
• Preparation and/or review of weekly and monthly reports to stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned and requested by APHL-HQ Senior Manager.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

N/A

 

TRAVEL OR IN-OFFICE REQUIREMENTS

 

This position requires travel within Malawi (up to 20%) and may involve occasional international travel (up to 10%).

REQUIRED

• Advanced degree in medical laboratory science, analytical chemistry, or toxicology. A graduate degree in medical laboratory
  science or toxicology is required. Six years plus experience in clinical diagnostic testing or research laboratories with a focus on public health research.
• Demonstrated experience with ICP-MS and/or GFAAS platforms for metal analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in validation and verification studies.
• Demonstrated interest in metals analysis in biological samples.
• Demonstrated interest in and an appreciation for quality laboratory service and strong QMS knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Experience/knowledge strengthening laboratories to achieve international quality standards.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders and performing training and stakeholder engagement and meetings.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a team and across multiple partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in the country alone with support from other APHL field offices and APHL-HQ.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent work record that shows self-motivation.
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to travel within Malawi to work for short-term (1-2 week) assignments at laboratories outside commuting distance to
  home.
• Ability to travel internationally to work for a short term of 2-4 weeks for training purposes.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

PREFERRED

• Knowledge and experience within public health programs in Malawi.
• Knowledge and experience with key stakeholders who are performing metals testing in various matrices.
• Experience working with grants and programs preferred.

Other 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

REQUIRED

• Knowledge and experience in blood lead testing in diverse populations (pediatric and adult, as well as those in high
  occupational risk groups).
• Knowledge of laboratory information systems, including but not limited to electronic systems.
• Knowledge of laboratory networks and quality management systems.
• Knowledge of sample management and transport systems within Malawi.
• Familiarity with analytical chemistry platforms, such as ICP-MS, Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS), and point-of-care testing, like LeadCare II.

PREFERRED

• Familiarity with developing and leading in-person and virtual training on laboratory techniques.
• Knowledge of general laboratory quality management systems practice.

Skills -

• Synthesize information and translate it into action. Skilled in laboratory techniques, including toxicology and clinical chemistry for metals, quality management system, accreditation, mentorship, publications/ manuscript development, strong verbal communication, and presentation skills are required (English).

Abilities -

• 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.

APHL Week is a conference/convention that is held at the APHL Home Office (Bethesda, MD). While this has been an in-person event in the past, most recently it was conducted virtually. Employee attendance is mandatory.

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.

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 will be made for known physical or mental limitations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

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 will be made for known physical or mental limitations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

During the job, the colleague may need to sit for extended periods, use a computer keyboard to type, read information visually, and communicate orally through a computer monitor.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, protected veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.