Project Description

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC), a global project funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), that provides strategic technical assistance and direct service delivery to achieve HIV epidemic control among all at-risk populations; strengthen global health security (GHS), including outbreak response; expand tuberculosis detection and treatment (TB), improve maternal and child health (MCH), address malaria; and promote health systems strengthening (HSS) including supply chain management.

In Haiti, EpiC will work to restart and deliver critical lifesaving activities to contain the spread of new HIV infections and sustain lifesaving support to PLHIV, including prevention services/PrEP for pregnant and breastfeeding women, the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV, HIV case identification, HIV care and treatment, TB/HIV, the management of advanced HIV disease, and health information management. All activities will be closely coordinated with the National AIDS Control Program (PNLS), the National Public Health Laboratory (LNSP) and the department level health directorates.

Job Description

The Technical Officer III will support the Senior Clinical Advisor in the implementation of laboratory services and management components within the targeted zones for the EpiC Haiti project. S/he will work with EpiC project staff, implementing partners, and the Haitian Ministry of Health and Population (MSPP), especially the Laboratoire Nationale de Sante Publique ion (LNSP) and Procurement and Supply Management (PSM) to ensure that laboratory activities, including specimen collection, testing, and result reporting are appropriate and meet USAID and EpiC requirements. The Technical Officer will also contribute to strengthening laboratory partner activities and performance monitoring across the country, helping to improve the quality of laboratory services in health facilities and community sites, in line with national guidelines. The position also involves assisting in communications, coordination, and reporting with implementing partners for lab-related activities.

The position will be based in FHI 360’s office in Port-Au-Prince. Preference is for Haitian national candidates. 

Job Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of technical assistance related to the laboratory services and the management component of HIV care and treatment, including ART, in the designated zones for the EpiC Haiti project. Assist in the design, planning, and implementation of the laboratory component of HIV care and treatment, including ART, in collaboration with project clinical staff, laboratory specialists, and relevant state and local agencies in Haiti provide technical and programmatic support in diagnostics, quality management systems, supply chain and other laboratory standards relevant to the Haitian context.

• Assist in strengthening the implementation and monitoring of diagnostic components such as specimen collection, specimen referral, specimen transport, supply chain, equipment management, expansion of point-of-care diagnostic services, Quality Management Systems, biosafety, and biosecurity, especially related to HIV testing, viral load monitoring, CD4 testing and TB/HIV diagnostics.

• Participate in the development and facilitation of training to diagnostic facilities within the EpiC Haiti project and contribute to reporting on the effectiveness of such training.

• Support the development of quality control and quality assurance systems in collaboration with existing personnel and systems, and assist in ensuring related documentation, training, and monitoring for the EpiC Haiti lab network.

• Support strategic coordination and collaboration at various levels of the supply chain management of health commodities.

• Assist in facilitating and maintaining collaborative lab and supply chain programs with LNSP and PSM, international and local partners within the EpiC Haiti framework.

• Support MSPP and PSM in ensuring accurate quantification, forecasting and timely distribution of lifesaving HIV commodities required for EpiC Haiti sites.

• Assist in developing lessons learned from activities related to laboratory services and management for HIV care and treatment within EpiC Haiti and contribute to applying these lessons to improve both existing programs and the design of new programs.

Education Qualification/ Skills & Experience

• Master’s degree or its international equivalent in public health, medical laboratory sciences or other relevant disciplines

• A minimum of 6 years’ relevant experience including a minimum of 3 years working in HIV laboratory programs under donor-funded initiatives.

• Familiarity of health and development programs in Haiti including familiarity with the national health information management system (HMIS) and national protocols, guidelines and standards for HIV service provision.

• Experience supporting capacity building and supervision of sub-partners, particularly those working with PLHIV.

• Previous experience working with USAID or PEPFAR supported programs.

• Ability to meet tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision;

• Excellent report writing, analytical and communication skills, including oral presentation skills.

• Familiarity with Haiti public health sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Haiti is highly desirable.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and well-developed computer skills.

• Ability to travel within Haiti, and regionally and internationally if needed.

• Fluency in French, Haitian Creole required; Advanced English preferred.