Laboratory Manager Job at the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) - Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Laboratory Manager

Requisition: VN 2023 124
Job Location: Lagos
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Context

• Under the direct supervision of the Migration Health Officer (MHO) and Regional Laboratory Coordinator, and the overall supervision of the Chief Migration Health Officer (CMHO), the Laboratory Manager will be responsible for technical support to laboratory services with respect to Migration Health Assessments (HAP) and other programmes implemented by the IOM Migration Health Division in Lagos/Abuja, Nigeria.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

• Organize laboratory services and their structure for efficient and optimal service delivery
• adapting to prevailing local conditions, levels of expertise and available technology.
• Guarantee that standards of laboratory services correspond to HAPs and other programmes or project requirements via keeping Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) up to date and annual review.
• Ensure high quality with regards to international standards in all aspects of service delivery via internal quality control and organizing and facilitating in external quality assessment.
• Certify that facilities and bio-safety measures in the laboratory/lies meet international standards and country requirements; by actively participating in planning and designing of new or upgrading existing facilities.
• Verify optimum staffing levels for planned workload. Recruit, train, supervise and assess laboratory staff. Ensure staff development and continuous training needs for staff.
• Contribute in annual HAP activities planning and budget preparation related to laboratory services.
• Guarantee that the equipment and consumables are sufficient for the anticipated workload.
• Plan and organize procurement, delivery, installation, servicing and operation of all laboratory equipment and optimal expenditure of consumables.
• Validate system of organized record keeping and information management for timely delivery of results, data collection, analysis and reporting for laboratory monitoring and facilitation to operational research.
• Liaise on laboratory related topics with national laboratories and laboratories in other countries, IOM Departments and national relevant entities.
• Implement and maintain the system of service improvement with available long-term work plan addressing at least laboratory assessment, facilities and safety, process control, information management and customer service.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Master’s Degree in Medical (Clinical) Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years’ relevant experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with four years relevant professional experience.

Experience:
Laboratory experience in a busy institution, preferably in a mycobacteriology laboratory;

• Proven experience in the production of LQMS documentation, and maintenance of a document control system;
• Demonstrated experience as a laboratory educator and promoting laboratory best practices;
• Experience with laboratory accreditation processes (ISO 15189:2012 and/or ISO 15189:2022) is desirable;
• Excellent and proven Verbal/Written Communication including drafting high-quality concept notes, project proposals, and donor reports; and,
• Experience in laboratory management, including staff supervision, budget management, and quality control;
• Experience or training in data analysis, public health or Monitoring & Evaluation is highly desirable.

Skills: 

• In-depth knowledge of the ISO 15189:2022 standard and Certification in performance of laboratory audits;
• Computer literate, with a deep understanding of accurate data collection and analysis to monitor and continuously improve our laboratory services and performance;
• Excellent and proven Verbal/Written Communication including drafting standard operating procedures, guidelines, and reports;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with laboratory staff and other stakeholders;
• Proven ability to effectively apply and transfer relevant technical knowledge and practices to personnel and laboratory operations;
• Good organizational and planning skills, Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; and,
• Capacity to work effectively in high pressure and rapidly changing environment.

Languages:

• IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
• For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).
• Working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is an advantage. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.