Public Health Specialist (Laboratory Systems Team Lead)

Number: 079/2013 Date: 11/19/2013

OPEN TO:  All Qualified Candidates
POSITION:    Public Health Specialist (Laboratory Systems Team Lead); FP-4 FSN-11                                               
OPENING DATE:  November 19, 2013
CLOSING DATE:  December 2, 2013
WORK HOURS:     Full-time; 40 hours/week
ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.  
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an international public health agency engaged in HIV prevention and care programs and research activities in Uganda.  CDC offers excellent career opportunities for professional growth, training, and collaboration with other health professionals. The main CDC offices are located at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe. CDC is an agency of the United States Mission in Uganda."
The Centers for Diseases Control is seeking an individual for the position of Public Health Specialist (Laboratory Systems Team Lead). 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
The Public Health Specialist (Laboratory Systems Team Lead) works under the leadership of the Laboratory Branch Chief as a senior laboratory advisor to programs under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The incumbent provides comprehensive technical, administrative, policy and managerial advice and assistance in support of laboratory systems and capacity strengthening that includes laboratory diagnostic, surveillance and research activities of host government ministries, International Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and host Ministry of Health partners involved in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in-country.  Specifically, this position will support the Ministry of Health to  a) implement the Uganda National Health Laboratory Services Policy: 2009 (UNHLSP) through the Uganda National Health Laboratory Services Strategic Plan: 2010-2015 (UNHLSSP) to include necessary revisions that become apparent during the Policy and Plan implementation and  b) operationalize the proposed National Health Laboratories. The incumbent provides technical assistance to the inclusion of the laboratory requirements into the Health Sector Strategic Investment Plan (NHSIP).

The incumbent:

• Supervises the Public Health Specialists Information Management Systems Officer and the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Officer
• Serves as a senior advisor to the host country Ministry of Health, partners and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the implementation of the National Health Laboratory Services Policy and Strategic Plan
• Provides Technical Assistance in the review of the  UNHLSP
• Works with MoH to monitor and evaluate progress in the implementation of the UNHLSSP; identify  organizational, personnel, logistical and financial problems and recommends revisions as necessary to overcome obstacles and constraints to progress,
• Assists MoH Develop a detailed plan to operationalize the National Health Laboratories
• Monitors and evaluates progress in the operationalization of the National Health Laboratories; identifies organizational, personnel, logistical and financial problems and recommends revisions as necessary to overcome obstacles and constraints to progress.
• Provide input to the CDC Health Systems Strengthening Team.
• Participate as a member of the PEPFAR Health Systems Strengthening Technical Working Group

These roles and responsibilities require: knowledge of public health policies and systems; familiarity with current medical laboratory practice; appropriate skills in leadership, negotiation and advocacy and clear communication channels with CDC, USG laboratory and other programs, MOH and other laboratory implementing partners and stakeholders.
A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available onhttp://kampala.usembassy.gov/job_opportunites.html