The Ugandan Jobline

 

Job Title:   Head
of Clinical Laboratory Services 

Organization: Medical
Research Council (MRC UK) /UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit

Duty Station: Entebbe,
Uganda

Position Code: HCDLS-820

Reports to: Chief
Operating Officer

 

About US:

The Medical Research
Council (MRC UK) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence with
dominant research themes in the areas of HIV and emerging infections, vaccines
and immunity, and chronic diseases and cancer. Through a multidisciplinary
approach, intersecting basic science, epidemiological research,
social-behavioural research and the conduct of new intervention evaluation
studies, the Unit contributes knowledge on changing epidemics and diseases, the
evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and prevention and the
development of health policy and practice in Africa and worldwide. Following
the signing of strategic transfer agreements between the London School of
Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Medical Research Council
(MRC UK), the Unit formally joined LSHTM on 1st February 2018. The exciting new
partnership will boost research capacity into current and emerging health
issues in Africa and throughout the world. The Unit is based at the UVRI
Entebbe campus with established outposts in Kalungu, Masaka, Wakiso and Kampala
Districts.

 

Job Summary:  The Head of Clinical Laboratories leads the
Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Services (CDLS) and Frozen Specimen Archives
(FSA) departments which operate across the Unit’s urban and rural sites in
Uganda, including Entebbe, Kampala, Masaka and Kyamulibwa. This role includes
overseeing the Unit’s Hematology, Biochemistry/Serology, Microbiology and
Molecular Diagnostics laboratories. The post-holder also oversees the Unit’s
Frozen Specimen Archives/Biorepository which is a collection of biological
specimen of human and non-human origin. The Head of Clinical Laboratories
reports to and works closely with the Unit Chief Operating Officer to ensure
the service provided supports the Unit’s scientific and operational strategy.
They hold responsibility and overview of the Unit’s Clinical Diagnostic
Laboratory Services, ensuring health and safety of employees, students and
visitors to the department. In addition, the post-holder ensures
value-for-money is achieved in all areas and a viable business model for CDLS
is maintained and operates smoothly through interactions with the Unit’s
Research Support Office, Human Resources, Procurement, Finance departments and
Principal investigators. The post-holder is expected to collect and present
reliable performance data for CDLS and FSA/biorepository in the form of formal
reports or ad hoc updates to inform the Unit’s senior management’s decision
making. The post-holder will manage and develop the CDLS team to ensure that a
first class, compliant service is provided to its stakeholders.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  

The principal duties
of the post-holder are to support the delivery of the Unit’s scientific
strategy and objectives by ensuring the Unit’s laboratory services operate at
accredited standards and deliver a cost-effective and timely service to Unit
research projects through the following;

Clinical Diagnostic
Laboratory Service (CDLS)

·       
Provide
clinical diagnostic testing services that the support the Unit’s research
portfolio across all Unit sites.

·       
Manage
the Unit’s clinical laboratories which include the following: Haematology,
Biochemistry/Serology, Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics.

·       
Manage
department activities in line with budget and operate an effective
cost-recovery model from research projects and partners (with support of
Finance department).

·       
Oversee
procurement and stock levels of laboratory supplies ensuring that value-for-
money is achieved and that wastage is minimized (with support of Procurement
and Stores).

·       
Oversee
testing capacity and forecast demand for clinical laboratory testing and put in
place appropriate laboratory staff levels accordingly (with support from HR and
Unit COO)

·       
Ensure
national clinical laboratory accreditation is upheld and renewed as required;
liaise with regulatory bodies and agencies as required.

·       
Ensure
laboratories are working towards international standards and requirements and
that staff have the required certification to work in a clinical diagnostic
laboratory.

·       
Ensure
quality control systems are implemented across all clinical laboratories,
including execution of regular External Quality Control (EQA) for specific
test.

·       
Identify
and maintain relationships with appropriate referral laboratories as needed

·       
Ensure
quality and security of clinical test data meets sponsor, donor and regulatory
requirements.

·       
Support
the Unit’s Clinical Trial portfolio in compliance with international standards
(GCP, GCLP) and Sponsor requirements.

·       
Ensure
the Unit complies with and maintains accreditation with ISO15189, including the
specific requirement of continuous process, quality and service improvements.

·       
Maintain
an effective complaints and corrective actions procedure for the clinical
laboratory services.

·       
Provide
external services to third parties for laboratory media, tests and diagnostic
services and ensure such arrangements are formalized through service agreements
(with the support of the Procurement department).

·       
Develop
and keep updated business continuity plans for the laboratories; support
Unit/LSHTM business continuity activities as needed.

·       
Ensure
CDLS policies and SOPs are up-to-date and fit for purpose.

·       
Overseeing
work of third-party collaborators and contractors on Unit projects within CDLS
and ensure contractual obligations are met.

·       
Advising
principle investigators and other research staff during research proposal
development regarding laboratory requirements and appropriate costing of tests
and sample storage.

·       
Ensure
testing activities are recorded in the applicable databases and provide monthly
reports to Finance and RSO to allow correct and timely charging of sample
testing, processing and storage fees to research projects.

·       
Oversee
laboratory assets and maintain asset records that are continually updated.

·       
Produce
an annual budget for CDLS to be presented to and agreed with the Unit COO.

·       
Take
responsibility for managing, monitoring and controlling the CDLS budget.

·       
Ensure
laboratory installations and equipment are all working and are fit-for-purpose.

·       
Oversee
preventative maintenance and servicing schedules for CDLS installations and
equipment.

·       
Ensure
specimen storage, including liquid nitrogen (LN2) plants and freezer rooms, are
functioning as expected and that emergency back-procedures are in place and
regularly tested.

·       
Oversee
and advise on the development of new assays within the different platforms in
collaboration with the Heads of Programmes, PI’s and Managers of the individual
research laboratories that form part of the platform.

·       
Identify
capital investment needs to ensure CDLS services meet current and future
requirements; support internal annual capital request submission exercise.

·       
Liaise
with the Estates department on minor laboratory refurbishment projects,
including adapting existing space and new build, identifying the requirements
to be considered with respect to laboratory management and ensuring minimal
disruption.

·       
Ensure
shipment of Unit samples is conducted in compliance with IATA and other legal
requirements.

Service Delivery

·       
Ensure
that safe working practices within the CDLS and FSA/biorepository team are
adhered to at all times.

·       
Ensure
that the team operates within a secure and legal environment at all times,
working towards the requirements of all Ugandan and UK acts, regulations and
laid down codes of practice and guidance.

·       
Ensure
the team adheres to the National, Unit’s and LSHTM’s Health & Safety
policies and procedures.

·       
Manage
the day-to-day Health & Safety of laboratory staff and visitors.

·       
Take a
lead role in the arrangements in Health & Safety management at the Unit.

·       
Ensure
risk to CDLS operation is identified and appropriately managed in the relevant
areas.

·       
Retaining
formal records of key documents and data for management and audit purposes

·       
Minimising
planned equipment and service downtimes.

·       
Ensuring
fire safety installations are maintained and appropriate, in collaboration with
Unit Health & Safety and Estates departments.

·       
Keeping
oversight and auditable records of the inventory of materials and equipment.

Managing Staff

·       
Continuously
develop professional capacity of department staff in line with the Unit’s
capacity building mandate and scientific strategy of the Unit, through
on-the-job training, coaching, mentoring and formal trainings via the Unit’s
Training department.

·       
Conduct
annual appraisals for direct reports and ensure all other CDLS and FSA
department staff are appraised annually by their respective line managers.

·       
Ensuring
all activities are carried in line with LSHTM’s Health & Safety
expectations and statutory Health & Safety requirements.

Research

·       
The post
holder is encouraged to explore research opportunities within CDLS and
involving CDLS staff, taking into consideration that these need to be fully
funded and not interfere with providing a cost-effective clinical diagnostic
services to the Unit.

Quality of Service:
It is important that the Unit’s
diagnostics and other CDLS services are delivered in a customer- oriented
fashion. This post-holder ensures the department is;

·       
Responsive.

·       
Promptly
communicating to users’ new developments such as new services, changes to
services, service disruptions etc.

·       
Pro-actively
resolving issues.

·       
Upholding
high standards of professionalism.

·       
Ensure
laboratory services are effective across all field stations, which requires
regular direct interactions with staff outside Entebbe.

·       
Take
responsibility for the overall quality of the service delivery.

·       
Lead the
team’s self-assessment process supporting the team in setting targets and
agreeing performance indicators for improvement.

Financial
Management & Cost Recovery

General
financial management of the department include the following activities:

·       
Accountability
for and close monitoring of department expenditure and recoveries.

·       
Adherence
to and effective utilization of CDLS and FSA budgets in keeping with the
Unit’s/LSHTM’s delegated authority scheme.

·       
Working
with Procurement to ensure value for money is achieved when procuring services
or items.

·       
Support
the delivery of capital projects and associated reporting within spending
timeframes.

·       
Support
of internal and external audits.

The post-holder
ensures that core expenditure recovery from externally funded research grants
is maximized. This includes the following activities:

·       
Cost of
services are regularly reviewed and need for adjustment discussed with Unit
COO.

·       
Instructions
for project charges are communicated to the Finance department in a timely
manner.

·       
Follow-up
of outstanding recoveries to avoid loss of Unit income.

Line Management
Responsibilities: The post
holder is responsible for managing a dynamic multidisciplinary team including
team of more than 20 staff. As such, the Head of Clinical Laboratory Services
is responsible for ensuring the following:

·       
Staff
are enabled to perform their assigned duties as expected.

·       
Staff
professional development is nurtured in line with the Unit’s and LSHTM’s
capacity building goals.

·       
There is
a positive and supportive work environment in the department.

·       
Staff
feel included and valued and their professional feedback and proposals are
heard and considered.

·       
Staff
expectations are clearly communicated.

·       
Staff
performance is regularly monitored.

·       
Potential
conflicts are resolved promptly and decisively, involving HR support where
needed.

·       
Formal
appraisals are conducted within the departments in line with the Unit’s
schedule.

·       
Applicable
LSHTM and Unit HR policies are being followed at all levels.

·       
Participate
in the development of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion.

LSHTM Integration: The Unit transferred to LSHTM in 2018. The
post-holder is expected to support the further integration of the Unit into the
School by;

·       
Engage constructively
with departments across LSHTM, as needed.

·       
Harmonize
CDLS Policies and Procedures with wider LSHTM policy framework.

·       
Capitalize
on new opportunities that result from the transfer to improve staff training,
quality of work and operational efficiency.

·       
Develop
proposals to harmonize workflow between London and the Unit.

·       
Undertake
any other duties within the grade as required by the Unit.

Environment

·       
Develop
strategies to reduce adverse environmental impact of CDLS and FSA operations.

·       
Participate
in carbon emission reduction activities across the Unit and wider LSHTM,
coordinate the development of the Units Energy Carbon Management Plan.

·       
Act as
an advocate for the responsible and efficient use of resources.

 

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

·       
The
ideal candidate must hold an MSc degree in Science, or equivalent experience,
from an accredited University, research institute or similar employer with
experience in management of clinical and research laboratories.

·       
PhD
Degree in Science, or equivalent experience, from an accredited University with
experience in management of clinical and research laboratories is desired.

·       
Significant
experience of active work in a research/clinical laboratory environment.

·       
Possession
of significant experience in conducting and supervising an area of independent
research is an added advantage.

·       
5 years
or more experience in a laboratory management role.

·       
Should
have experience in implementing International Laboratory Accreditation
standards.

·       
Should
possess experience in implementing change management, for example implementing
new ways of working, approaches etc. which support and ensure quality
improvement around laboratory output, practices and safety.

·       
Experience
managing biological sample collections, including pathogens and human tissue,
in a safe and legally compliant way.

·       
Experience
in the application and management of a broad range of research and clinical
laboratory technologies.

·       
Experience
in the safe shipment of clinical samples and infectious organisms plus
familiarity with laboratory management or bio banking software.

·       
Experience
in training laboratory-based staff and developing and executing
competency-based training plans.

·       
Should
have excellent knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Clinical
Laboratory Practice (GCLP) and expertise in implementing ISO15189 quality
standard.

·       
Excellent
spoken and written command of English with excellent communication skills with
individuals at all levels of the organization.

 

How to Apply:

Follow the link
below to fill a form and submit your application documentation:

 

Click Here

 

Filling the form
more than once will lead to automatic disqualification. High level of integrity
while filling the form is required and will be considered during shortlisting.

 

The applications
should be addressed to:

The Head of Human
Resources,

MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM
Uganda Research Unit,

P.O. Box, 49,

Entebbe, Uganda.

 

Deadline: 21^st August 2020 by 5:00pm.

 

Consider your
application unsuccessful if not contacted within eight (8) weeks after the
closing date of the advert. Any form of lobbying at any stage will lead to
automatic disqualification. By submitting your personal information, you
consent to the MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit holding and using it in
accordance with its recruitment policy and procedure. The Unit reserves the
right to verify documents attached with the relevant awarding institutions to
authenticate their validity.

 

NB: Only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted for interview. This position is open to Ugandan
nationals only. Strictly follow the application procedure as failure to do so
will lead to automatic disqualification.

 

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