Lead Specialist – Blood Lead Testing (Tanzania)

Overview

Salary

This is an in-country position located in Tanzania. Flexibility to accommodate in-country travel up to 20% is required with the possibility of occasional international travel up to 10%.

The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the pay range listed below.

$60,000 – $70,000 USD annually

Position Summary

The Lead Specialist will support the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) laboratory systems strengthening work in Tanzania. APHL is a nonprofit based in the United States, with offices globally. This project is funded through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation (CDC Foundation). This work will be a multi-year project aimed at obtaining buy-in from relevant stakeholders and establishing testing capacity for blood lead level testing in diverse populations across the country. This position will work closely with APHL-HQ, other supporting partners on this project, and the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other ministries that may be stakeholders in blood lead level testing. This position is based in Tanzania and will support activities including capacity assessment, sample collection and testing coordination, strategic planning, laboratory leadership, workforce development, sample referral and transportation, data management, quality management systems, and other laboratory testing activities. The candidate will possess an advanced degree and extensive laboratory work experience in Tanzania, with expertise in clinical chemistry, toxicology, and the use of mass spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry instruments. The candidate will serve as a full-time APHL staff member for the duration of the grant, with renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. This position requires travel within Tanzania and may involve occasional international travel.

APHL (www.APHL.org) works to strengthen laboratory systems that serve public health in the United States and globally. APHL is seeking a Lead Specialist with experience in laboratory sciences, specifically toxicology and clinical chemistry, as they relate to testing for metals in biological samples. The scope may include private laboratories and other healthcare facilities that are engaged in diagnostic and surveillance testing. The scope of work will primarily focus on supporting the CDC Foundation and APHL-HQ. This individual will work closely with the APHL-Ghana, Country Director Manager and the Blood Lead Level team to liaise with the CDC Foundation, the Ministry of Health, and other collaborating partners in Tanzania and implement agreed upon strategies to enhance the public health laboratory network and improve overall surveillance systems. The individual will have a strong understanding of the laboratory systems in Tanzania with relevant experience. In addition, the candidate will demonstrate excellent communication (English), be able to work as a lead in this project in Tanzania and have organizational skills.

At this time, this position is funded through May 31, 2027 and is dependent upon continued availability of funds.

The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) works to strengthen laboratory systems serving the public’s health in the U.S. and globally. APHL’s member laboratories protect the public’s health by monitoring and detecting infectious and foodborne diseases, environmental contaminants, terrorist agents, genetic disorders in newborns and other diverse health threats.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the APHL-Ghana, Country Director in providing technical assistance in designing, implementing, and monitoring
  strategies to strengthen the public health laboratory network, aligned with the national laboratory strategic plan.
• Provide laboratory training and mentorship on toxicology as it relates to blood lead level surveillance throughout the country.
• Conduct assessments of the laboratories and assess readiness and capabilities to perform this testing.
• Contribute to staff skills development and knowledge gain by individual and group teaching and training, especially in blood lead testing and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), validation and verification studies, and quality management systems.
• Support procurement of laboratory equipment, supplies, and quality assurance materials.
• Support for twinning programs between in-country stakeholders and U.S. public health laboratories.
• Support implementation of public health laboratory network enhancement activities, including, but not limited to, sample referral and transport mechanisms, quality management systems, data management, workforce development, and biosafety and biosecurity.
• Represent APHL at national and regional meetings (as appropriate).
• Coordinate and work with diverse groups or organizations and stakeholders, including the MoH, laboratory leaders, and laboratory facility staff, international development organizations, APHL HQ, and CDC Foundation.
• Preparation and/or review of weekly and monthly reports to stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned and requested by APHL-Ghana, Country Director.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

N/A

TRAVEL OR IN-OFFICE REQUIREMENTS

This position requires travel within Tanzania (up to 20%) and may involve occasional international travel (up to 10%).

Education and Experience

REQUIRED

• Advanced degree in medical laboratory science, analytical chemistry, or toxicology. A graduate degree in medical laboratory science or toxicology is required. Six years plus experience in clinical diagnostic testing or research laboratories with a focus on public health research.
• Demonstrated experience with ICP-MS and/or GFAAS platforms for metal analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in validation and verification studies.
• Demonstrated interest in metals analysis in biological samples.
• Demonstrated interest in and an appreciation for quality laboratory service and strong QMS knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Experience/knowledge strengthening laboratories to achieve international quality standards.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders and performing training and stakeholder engagement and meetings.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a team and across multiple partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in the country alone with support from other APHL field offices and APHL-HQ.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent work record that shows self-motivation.
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to travel within Tanzania to work for short-term (1-2 week) assignments at laboratories outside commuting distance to home.
• Ability to travel internationally to work for a short term of 2-4 weeks for training purposes.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

PREFERRED

• Knowledge and experience within public health programs in Tanzania.
• Knowledge and experience with key stakeholders who are performing metals testing in various matrices.
• Experience working with grants and programs preferred.
• Other 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

REQUIRED

• Knowledge and experience in blood lead testing in diverse populations (pediatric and adult, as well as those in high occupational risk groups).
• Knowledge of laboratory information systems, including but not limited to electronic systems.
• Knowledge of laboratory networks and quality management systems.
• Knowledge of sample management and transport systems within Tanzania.
• Familiarity with analytical chemistry platforms, such as ICP-MS, Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS), and point-of-care testing, like LeadCare II.

PREFERRED

• Familiarity with developing and leading in-person and virtual training on laboratory techniques.
• Knowledge of general laboratory quality management systems practice.

Skills – 

• Synthesize information and translate it into action. Skilled in laboratory techniques, including toxicology and clinical chemistry
• Synthesize information and translate it into action. Skilled in laboratory techniques, including toxicology and clinical chemistry for metals, quality management system, accreditation, mentorship, publications/ manuscript development, strong verbal communication, and presentation skills are required (English).

Abilities – 

• Ability to maintain an approachable attitude, act consistently, and provide realistic advice in the context of resources. Ability to effectively engage and collaborate with partners and stakeholders with varying priorities. Ability to work with stakeholders to prioritize the needs and guide the planning process.