About the role

The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) site aims to determine and track the causes of under-five mortality and stillbirths through epidemiologic surveillance, including reporting within 24 hours, clinical sampling, and use of advanced laboratory testing and diagnostics across a network of international sites.

CHAMPS employs the Minimal Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS) procedure for post-mortem diagnosis. MITS was developed to reduce the uncertainty regarding causes of death. The data collected from the CHAMPS Sierra Leone site will be added to that collected from other sites and will help reduce child deaths in LMICs by providing detailed evidence on the cause of death to influence policy of funders and stakeholders.

For the last several years, the CHAMPS project has collected MITS and Verbal Autopsy data and analysed these to inform policies and interventions by key stakeholders. To fulfil one of the key objectives of the CHAMPS network, the CHAMPS Sierra Leone site is now embarking on Adult MITS activities to describe the causes of death among adult people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Bo and Bombali districts in Sierra Leone. We are now seeking the services of an experienced Laboratory Scientist to help us achieve this new objective.

Main Duties

• Participate in the performance and interpretation of lab technical duties in support of medical laboratory testing, record determinations and results for review by laboratory manager.
• Participate in specimen collection when required according to test requests.
• Set up, evaluate, and operate current and new equipment, instruments and apparatus required for specific laboratory tests and assume adequate responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance.
• Participate in the preparation and quality assurance of culture media, chemicals, reagents, stains, and solutions as appropriate.
• Provide supervision and mentorship of other laboratory staff, under the leadership of the Lab Manager.
• Evaluate collected laboratory data and prepare reports assessing accuracy, completeness, timeliness, progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
• Participate in the development of new medical laboratory procedures and techniques.
• Participate in Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Safety, and Infection Control practices to assure compliance with internal and external regulations.
• Participate in laboratory accreditation activities and proficiency testing. Perform maintenance of laboratory equipment including, trouble shooting and calibrations.
• Maintain sufficient intelligence and tracking of materials, supplies and equipment inventory for performance of duties.
• Clean and maintain standard laboratory equipment.
• Provide advanced problem-solving, troubleshooting, interpretation/consultation, and verification of specimen quality and test results.
• Ensure safety information is disseminated promptly to all lab personnel.
• Ensure proper waste handling and disposal.
• Participate in data entry into relevant data systems and portals.
• Lead the drafting of all lab-related project reports, scientific reports and manuscripts for dissemination.

Safeguarding

• Be aware of and compliant with all the standards following Safeguarding procedures and policies. Promote Crown Agents’ speak up culture to protect the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

General

• Be aware of and adhere to company quality standards and procedures in accordance with Crown Agents’ commitment to working to the highest quality standards and striving for continual improvement.
• Undertake international and national travel on consultancy and research assignments as may be needed.

About you

Job requirements:

• Minimum requirements: Honors or Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biomedical sciences, medical laboratory technology, public health, laboratory science, or any other laboratory-related field from a recognized University/Institution. A Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• Technical knowledge of basic/advanced laboratory instrumentation and laboratory information systems.
• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in a medical laboratory setting or the diagnosis of infectious diseases (bacterial, viral, fungal, etc.)
• At least one year of working experience in a molecular laboratory.
• Documented experience in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating quality assurance in a laboratory.
• Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite

About us

You’ll be working with Crown Agents which is a high impact social enterprise passionate about transforming the future for millions of people. Since our creation in 1833 we have worked across the globe to improve public services and drive economic growth. Our expertise is finding new solutions to difficult problems for clients in the areas of health, governance, economic growth, humanitarian action and supply chain services. We work with and train leaders at local, national and international level to achieve lasting change drawing on our insight and experience.

Crown Agents is committed to diversity and will promote diversity for all candidates at all times as well as a business culture that reflects that belief. Crown Agents will treat everyone equally irrespective of race, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation, and places an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy. Crown Agents shall not discriminate unlawfully when deciding which candidates are selected for interview, or in any terms of employment, and will ensure that each candidate is assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the role. Crown Agents is committed to being an organisation enhanced by diversity and encourages applications from anyone who shares our values and commitment to improving the lives of communities affected by poverty or conflict.

Crown Agents is piloting certain provisions of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), hence will request information from the applicant’s previous employers relating to any findings of sexual misconduct during employment, or incidents involving the applicant under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms understanding of these recruitment procedures.

This role is open to national and international candidates; qualified female Sierra Leoneans are encouraged to apply.

About what’s on offer

Crown Agents offers a competitive salary package.