Position Summary
The Project Coordinator (PC) will support the laboratory systems strengthening work of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) in the implementation of the Global Laboratory Leadership Programme (GLLP) through a contract with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the “Global Fund”).
The PC works with and supports the national laboratory senior staff person responsible for the integration of the GLLP into the national laboratory system for each country. The PC coordinates with the national referral laboratory, Ministry of Health (MOH), Universities, and other key stakeholders to support drafting a GLLP implementation workplan. The PC supports the laboratory technical working group in undertaking a laboratory network landscape analysis using existing reports such as a SWAT analysis performed for national laboratory strategic planning and the JEE assessment. The PC supports national laboratory leadership in the development of a detailed and budgeted GLLP implementation plan and supports mentored on-the-job initiatives for the selected laboratories. The PC is responsible for drafting the detailed workplan, including the training modules selected for the country and deliverables and key indicators approved by MOH. This position is responsible for the logistics of the GLLP components (didactic sessions, mentoring, projects, and the community of practice (CoP)) and for tracking and regular reporting on key priority indicators (KPIs) throughout the duration of the program. APHL Headquarters (HQ) is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA and this is a field position located in Dodoma, Tanzania.
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, experience in project management, public health laboratory systems, educational programs, and mentorship, to support the implementation of the GLLP in Mozambique’s public health laboratory system. The scope of work will primarily focus on GLLP activities including GLLP stakeholder meetings, coordination of a country landscape analysis and mapping of the laboratory network, planning and managing all GLLP events and managing the laboratory mentorship of GLLP participants. This individual will liaise with APHL Headquarters (HQ), Global Fund local and HQ representatives, MOH/National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL), county laboratory coordinators, and other collaborating partners in Mozambique. The individual will have a strong understanding of the laboratory system in Mozambique with significant experience supporting laboratory initiatives in the country. In addition, the candidate will demonstrate excellent communication and organizational skills.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Coordinating the implementation of the GLLP and laboratory projects by creating and managing project schedules, resources, equipment, and information
- Liaising with APHL HQ, Global Fund Representatives, MOH, and other government representatives to identify and define project requirements, scope, and objectives
- Liaising with mentors, facilitators and educational representatives from Universities, Public Health institutions and/or laboratory training institutions to host GLLP and integrate GLLP into the curriculum for sustainability
- Ensuring that Global Fund and governmental needs are met as the project evolves
- Preparing and managing project budgets with APHL HQ programmatic staff
- Monitor project progress to ensure timely completion of deliverables.”
- Act as the point of contact and communicate project status to all participants and stakeholders that may include APHL HQ staff, Global Fund representatives, and Governmental Representatives
- Work with the in-country project manager to solve problems and issues to ensure successful project completion
- Monitor, evaluate and report on the implementation of laboratory improvement activities, mentor and mentorship activities and overall project indicators
- Work with the APHL legal department to have APHL issue all appropriate legal paperwork (e.g., contracts and terms of agreement)
- Keep APHL HQ management informed by reviewing and analyzing special reports, summarizing information, and identifying trends.
- Ensure standards and requirements are met through conducting quality assurance tests
- 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.
Employment Standards- Education and Experience
Required:
- Certification or at least 5 years’ experience in project management
- Knowledgeable of current developments in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, including molecular methods.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a team and across multiple partners.
- Ability to travel within Tanzania to work for short-term (1-2 week) assignments at laboratories located out of town.
- Bilingual – fluent in written and spoken English and Swahili languages.
Preferred
- Knowledge of and experience working within public health programs in Tanzania
- Familiarity with the MOH in Tanzania
- Managerial experience.
- Experience working with U.S. Government grants and programs.
Knowledge
• Knowledge and experience with public health laboratory systems and an understanding on how the public health laboratory system works in Tanzania.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret international standards documents related to quality in laboratories.
Skills
• Strong coordination and project management skills.
• Understanding of non-profit organizational systems and structures.
• Excellent skills in report writing and presentation development, editing, and creation of appropriate charts, tables, and graphics.
• Demonstrated presentation and training skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with emphasis on details.
Abilities
• Ability to work with stakeholders to prioritize the needs and guide the planning process.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines and assuring completion of projects in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ability to follow APHL operating procedures and tracking systems.
• Ability to lead and collaborate within a team setting.
Special Requirements
Work Environment
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.
Physical Demands
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.
Criteria for Evaluation
Reports To
Direct Reports
Position Description Status
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.
