Main purpose of job:

The post holder will support the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project in Nigeria. The IHR Strengthening Project (IHR-SP) aims to improve global health security through increasing compliance with the IHR in selected countries and regions in Africa and Asia, taking an all-hazards approach. 

Laboratory capacity building is a flagship area of UKHSA’s IHR Strengthening project in Nigeria and an area of strategic importance to its partner, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) development. The Antimicrobial Resistance is one of the thematic areas among the 19 IHR core competencies. Laboratory-based antimicrobial resistance (‎AMR)‎ surveillance data helps to monitor susceptibility patterns of microorganisms to antimicrobial agents and reveals the antimicrobial resistance status which plays a critical role in the prevention and containment of AMR. This position‘s primary responsibility is to lead the AMR diagnostic activities under the UKHSA IHR Strengthening project in providing technical guidance to improve antimicrobial susceptibility testing with data reporting, framework development, quality and biosafety management working with  NCDC, national AMR coordination structures, ministries, laboratories, One-Health partners and subnational teams to strengthen and sustain high quality AMR governance, sentinel-site performance, laboratory–surveillance linkages, data quality and reporting.  The AMR Laboratory Specialist will work closely with the human health National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Abuja, and the University of Ibadan, the animal health reference laboratory and the Environment as well as the Sentinel sites and the private labs to ensure One-health approach.

We are seeking individuals with both substantial laboratory technical knowledge in AMR and demonstrable interpersonal relations capability, able to demonstrate both UKHSA’s IHR SP values and ways of working in One-health AMR Surveillance.  Key to this is the ability to influence and negotiate to manage key relationships with local, national and other international stakeholders.

This post offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience of working in a fast paced and innovative environment and is an ideal chance for someone looking to advance their career in Public Health and Laboratory -based AMR Surveillance. The ideal candidate must have a flexible approach to meet the needs of the service, be able to work to tight deadlines and manage multiple workstreams and priorities at the same time. This post will be based in Abuja with some travel to other areas of Nigeria as required for the AMR surveillance work. Occasional international travel (e.g., to other countries in the sub-region, or to the UK) may be required.

Key Working Relationships Within the Project

• Country Lead, UKHSA IHR Strengthening Project
• Senior Technical Lead, Laboratory Strengthening
• National Technical Lead, AMR surveillance
• AMR Surveillance Adviser (Technical and Data)
• Surveillance and Epidemiology Technical Advisers
• Laboratory Technical Advisers
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer
• Project support Officers

External Partners

• NCDC surveillance, laboratory, data and emergency operations teams
• National AMR Coordination Committee and AMR Secretariat
• Federal Ministry of Health departments responsible for surveillance, laboratory services, health information systems, IPC and stewardship
• National reference laboratories and AMR sentinel laboratory networks
• Subnational health ministries and sentinel surveillance sites
• Animal health, environmental health and food safety stakeholders under the One Health framework
• Development partners: WHO, Africa CDC, US CDC, RTSL, MSH etc.

Roles and responsibilities:

1. Strengthening AMR National Reference laboratories

• Provide technical leadership to enhance the capacity of the two human NCDC National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Abuja, and the University of Ibadan, the animal health reference laboratory, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Lab, Vom and the NESREA Environment lab.
• Maintain documentation of AMR laboratory activities at the reference laboratory, especially the implementation of AMR NAPS 2.0 strategy and National Action Plan for Health 2.0 
• Maintain the development and management of laboratory processes such as Equipment functionality and supply chain monitoring plan for the laboratories including light touch advocacy to ensure sustainability.
• Strengthen laboratory quality management systems and Biosafety and biosecurity practices at the reference laboratory
• Develop and strengthen the AMR External Quality Assessment (EQA) for reference laboratories and sentinel sites
• Taking the responsibility for supporting the daily management of technical staff to ensure the successful and effective operation of the laboratories.
• Facilitate Peer to Peer mentorship for AMR sentinel sites and implement subnational lab mentorship programs to strengthen AMR surveillance and institutional capacities of labs for AMR data collection, sample testing, data reporting. 
• Support the development and delivery of innovative ways of delivering services and alternative ways of working to ensure continuous improvements in the management of both AMR Reference laboratories.
• Assess training needs with NCDC and facilitate the development of training materials, workshops, guidelines, mentoring visits and peer-learning sessions for laboratory staff.

2. Strengthening AMR Sentinel sites 

• Provide technical support to the development and management of the AMR sentinel sites, ensuring excellence in practice, service delivery and appropriate scientific and technical performance always.
• Lead the project’s strategy for strengthening AMR lab networks and systems and for engaging private sector labs in ARM surveillance
• Maintain AMR laboratory network Quality and Biosafety and urgent problems within the laboratory by ensuring that Fleming Fund– sentinel sites remain actively engaged in national QMS programmes, with continued focus on routine quality practices, corrective actions.
• Work closely with Nigerian laboratories and government to develop policies and strategies approaches, tools and systems, update policies that ensure effective and efficient day-to-day operational work

3. AMR surveillance and governance system support

• Engaging widely with NCDC AMR coordinating team (AMRCC), One Health (OH) Steering Committee and other stakeholders as well as development partners to seek input into operationalization of AMR strategic objectives of NAPS 2.0
• Participating in relevant and related AMR Surveillance programmes, meetings and Laboratory committees, technical working groups, and other expert groups as required including support for regional.
• Strengthen routine data reporting, analysis and use through continued rollout of WHONET / AMRIS across UKHSA-supported AMR sentinel sites 
• Carrying out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the NCDC, One Health Steering Committees (OHSC), AMR technical pillars, UKHSA Senior Laboratory lead and UKHSA IHR-SP Country Lead.
• Document achievements, risks, lessons learned, track work plan implementation progress, contribute to quarterly reports and recommendations.
• You will be required to provide other laboratory support or other technical cover in times of operational difficulty as reasonably required by the line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization.
     

• Degree qualification or equivalent experience
• Graduate / postgraduate qualification in Medical Microbiology, or related subject. Relevant experience public health and laboratory management
  related discipline
• Extensive experience of working on AMR, minimum of 5 years of professional experience working in public health in Nigeria diagnostic/testing laboratory
• In depth understanding of relevant laboratory policies, standards and guidelines, including those relevant to quality control/assurance and accreditation processes
• Leadership and management experience including training, supportive supervision, mentorship and laboratory management
• Experience designing or implementing microbiological protocols, guidelines, SOPs, indicators or reporting tools.
• Knowledge of wider Nigerian public health sector and laboratory network such as OH/AMR surveillance and WHO AMR systems and practice standards
• Experience in laboratory quality management, Biosafety and Biosecurity, external quality assessment or data quality assurance processes, LIMS, AMRIS or WHO GLASS reporting.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills on complex matters, often requiring persuasion and influence.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) and the ability to nurture relationships, network and work in effective partnerships with complex stakeholders and a collaborative management style
• Strong programme coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, and excellent written and verbal communication.
• Commitment to Laboratory professional ethics, data protection and respectful partnership working linking with staff across varied organisational functions.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships