2018 Nationwide Recruitment at Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation Nigeria

Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation Nigeria (MGIC) is a non-profit affiliate of UMB with a mission to administratively support international operations of UMB Principal Investigators. Our purpose is to provide the administrative infrastructure for sizable and sustained operations outside of the U.S.

We are recruiting to fill the following positions below:

Job Position: Counsellor
Location: Nationwide
Duration: Six Months with the possibility of renewal, subject to the availability.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in the referrals of HIV infected individuals to CBOs for linkage to treatment and care
• S/he will serve as an interviewer if need arises
• S/he will assist in the team lead in resolving conflicts and difficult disclosure scenarios on the field.
• The HIV counsellor will ensure informed consent are administered as at when due.
• S/he will conduct pre- and post-test HIV counselling for all participants who consent to the survey.
• The counsellor will ensure ethics are adhered to on the field and confidentiality of survey participants is protected.
• Receives respondents’ consent to be tested and offers pre and post test counselling for all participants who consent to the survey
• Directs participants to lab technicians for testing
• Discloses result to respondents

Education/Experience

• A tertiary education is required
• Participation in the 10-day core training based on the Nigerian National Guideline on HIV counselling will be an added advantage
• Has had 3-month supervised service delivery and has been evaluated by a trained counsellor-tester supervisor. Additional training in home-based counseling is an added advantage
• An understanding of HIV/AIDS surveys in resource constrained settings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

• Knowledge of and practical experience in HIV community-based research and ethical requirements. Previous participation in conducting surveys is an added advantage.
• Excellent (fluent) English written and verbal communication skills. Excellent (fluent) in a local language of the zone is essential. Knowledge of another local dialect will be an added advantage.
• Should have strong interpersonal skills (active listening, empathy, social awareness, emotional awareness) and the ability to resolve different disclosure scenarios during the survey.
• Should be knowledgeable in the culture of the zone of data collection r
• Flexible, willing to travel to any part of zone and work weekends during the survey implementation period.

Job Position: Interviewer
Location: Nationwide
Duration: SIX Months with the possibility of renewal subject to the availability of funds.

Job Description

• Survey interviewers must have prior experience in large-scale, household-based surveys involving sensitive questions.
• S/he will participate in a structured training on fieldwork procedures before the pilot and survey implementation.
• Interviewers will be trained on the basics of HIV/AIDS, identification of sampled clusters, identifying eligible households and individuals, ethics and informed consent, use of objective interviewing techniques with adults and children, use of electronic data capture techniques, field logistics and conduct, map reading, and administration of the KADAIS questionnaires.
• The interviewers will request consent for the interview and conduct interviews.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures confidentiality of information provided by the respondent
• Reports any problem or concern to the Team Lead
• Ensures he/she returns to the site to interview respondents who were not available during the initial visits and callbacks (maximum of 3 recall visits are recommended)
• Identifies eligible households and individuals
• Ensures ethics are adhered to.
• Locates the site assigned by the Team Lead for the interview
• Ensures informed consent are administered to survey participants/respondents
• Conducts interviews of eligible adults and children using electronic data capture techniques
• Ensures each question is well understood by the respondents
• Ensures each questionnaire is properly completed

Minimum Qualifications
Education/Experience:

• All candidates must be able to read, write, and do basic arithmetic
• A tertiary education is required
• Previous experience in HIV/AIDS programs/survey
• Previous experience in HIV/AIDS programs/survey
• Excellent (fluent) English written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent (fluent) in a local language of the zone of work

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

• Ability to operate smart phones
• Candidate must be available throughout the duration of the survey (4 – 6 months)
• Candidate must be able to work during evenings and weekends
• Candidate must be willing to work in rural areas

Jo Positionn: Survey Zonal Technical Advisor
Location: Nationwide
Reporting line: Technical Advisor, Abuja
Duration: One year with the possibility of renewal subject to the availability of funds

Background

• Through a contract with US CDC, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) implements the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS). The NAIIS program assists Nigeria to implement household-based assessments for HIV/AIDS and Hep B & C population-based survey.
• The NAIIS program seeks to fill Survey Zonal Technical Advisor positions to support the survey. The position is based in zonal locations.

Scope of Work

• Support the NAIIS zonal operation centres in planning and coordination of all survey related activities
• Active liaising all stakeholders and implementing partners
• Support the NAIIS zonal operation centres in documentation of survey related activities
• Provide oversight and direction for Zonal/ state-level trainings.
• Provide oversight and direction for report writing for the NAIIS at zonal/state level
• Provide logistics for timely retrieval of any completed hard copy consent forms, incident forms, requisite forms etc.
• Work with the data management team to ensure success of the data collection procedures for the NAIIS at zonal/ state level
• Attend all technical meetings
• Work with other survey staff to ensure the prompt day to day running of NAIIS within stipulated timelines.
• Be prepared to work weekends and travel to enumeration areas when need be.
• Supervises of all the data collection teams in the zone
• Provides technical and logistic support to the teams under his/her zone
• Ensures data quality in his/her zone
• Provides situation reports and weekly update to the secretariat

Key Deliverables:

• Comprehensive weekly report of survey processes and proceedings at the zonal levels
• Zonal/ state-level training planning, implementation and reporting
• Presentation slides for dissemination of survey reports
• Trip reports (for trips made during the contract period)
• Log of activities related to contract implementation
• Documentation of lessons learnt during the survey period
• End-of-survey report – Survey reports including fact sheets, technical briefs and full survey report.

Education/Experience

• A university degree in Medical related field/Social Sciences with an MPH or its equivalent, with a minimum of 10-years relevant experience in HIV/AIDS programs
• An understanding of HIV/AIDS surveys in resource constrained settings
• A PhD or fellowship in public health will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated experience in the leadership, design, implementation, management and tracking/monitoring of HIV surveys.

Job Position: Survey Sub-Zonal Technical Advisor
Job Location: Nationwide
Reports to: The Zonal Technical Advisor

Background

• Through a contract with US CDC, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) implements the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).
• The NAIIS program assists Nigeria to implement household-based assessments for HIV/AIDS and Hep B & C population-based survey.
• The NAIIS program seeks to fill Survey Sub-Zonal Technical Advisor positions to support the survey. The position is based in zonal/states locations.

Scope of Work

• Provide logistics for timely retrieval of any completed hard copy consent forms, incident forms, requisite forms etc.
• Work with the data management team to ensure success of the data collection procedures for the NAIIS at zonal/ state level
• Attend all technical meetings
• Work with other survey staff to ensure the prompt day to day running of NAIIS within stipulated timelines.
• Support the Zonal Technical Advisor in planning and coordination of all survey related activities
• Supports the Zonal Technical Advisor to actively liaise all stakeholders and implementing partners
• Support the Zonal Technical Advisor in documentation of survey related activities
• Support the Zonal Technical Advisor in providing oversight and direction for Zonal/ state-level trainings.
• Support the Zonal Technical Advisor in providing oversight and direction for report writing for the NAIIS at zonal/state level
• Be prepared to work weekends and travel to enumeration areas when need be.

Key Deliverables:

• Trip reports (for trips made during the contract period)
• Log of activities related to contract implementation
• Documentation of lessons learnt during the survey period
• Comprehensive weekly report of survey processes and proceedings at the zonal levels
• Zonal/ state-level training planning, implementation and reporting
• Presentation slides for dissemination of survey reports
• End-of-survey report – Survey reports including fact sheets, technical briefs and full survey report.

Job Position: Field Laboratory Specialist
Job Location: Nationwide
Job Description

• Through a contract with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) implements The Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS). The NAIIS program assists Nigeria to implement household-based surveys for HIV/AIDS, Hep-B & C and CD4 testing for population-based survey.
• The NAIIS program seeks to fill a field Laboratory Specialist position to support the survey. The position is based at field locations over the 37 States in Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct CD4 testing using PIMA machine.
• Documentation of all laboratory activities in forms, survey tools and electronically in tablets
• The field laboratory specialist position is a position that requires 100% commitment in the field. It is expected that the laboratory specialist will demonstrate competence in POC testing.
• The field Laboratory specialist will be responsible for providing field testing in households to measure the biomarkers for the National population-based surveys. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Blood collection from adults and pediatrics using acceptable best practices; expertise in collection of blood from pediatrics is an advantage
• Testing using rapid diagnostic tests for HIV, Hep-B Ag & Hep-C Ag

Required Qualifications

• A medical laboratory scientist, medical laboratory technician, skilled in phlebotomy.
• Experience in working on the laboratory bench for at least one year.
• Experience in CD4 testing; proficiency in use of POC is an advantage
• Experience with population survey will be an added advantage

Required Skills:

• Experience performing Quality Assurance measures in all phases of biomedical testing
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in English required.

Work Skills:

• Ability to work as part of a team as well and cooperate with team members in the field.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment and routine equipment maintenance.
• A systematic approach to tasks and the ability to follow instructions and set procedures
• A high level of flexibility in performing the responsibilities of the position,
• An indigene of the state or resident in the state.
• Ability to work for long hours
• Ability to pay attention to details
• Ability to work with your hands and will need dexterity to work with small vials, test tubes, and delicate lab equipment.

Job : Survey Team Lead
Location: Nationwide
Reporting line: Zonal Technical Advisor
Duration: One year with the possibility of renewal subject to the availability of funds.

Background

• Through a contract with US CDC, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) implements the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS). The NAIIS program assists Nigeria to implement household-based assessments for HIV/AIDS and Hep B & C population-based survey.
• The NAIIS program seeks to fill Survey Team Leads positions to support the survey. The position is based in zonal locations.

Key Responsibilities

• The team lead will oversee and supervise the day-to-day operations of the field team.
• He/ She will be responsible for equipment checks, ensuring data quality, managing and documenting anticipated and unanticipated difficulties.
• The team lead will provide continued evaluation of testing and counselling services in the field; ensuring that proper consenting procedures and documentation are followed.
• S/he will ensure that the testing algorithm is adhered to, and that the confidentiality of the survey participants is protected.
• The team lead will ensure all adverse events are properly documented and reported to the survey supervisors in a timely manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees and supervises the day-to-day activities of the field team
• Conducts equipment checks prior to field visits
• Manages and documents anticipated and unanticipated difficulties
• Prepare daily work schedules and interview locations
• Responsible for coordinating the interviewers’ daily activities on the field
• Make sure that the interviewers are working in the right location (s) and that the respondents’ selection is appropriate
• Go through the collected data on the tablets of team members (to ensure no errors in collected data)
• Provides continued evaluation of testing and counselling services in the field
• Ensures that proper consenting procedures and documentation are followed
• Ensures the testing algorithm is adhered to, and quality control (QC) is performed prior to testing participant specimen
• Ensure that the confidentiality of the client/respondent is being protected
• Ensure documentation of procedures as required is occurring according to the protocol
• See to it that all adverse events are properly documented and reported to the central supervisors in a timely manner

Minimum Qualifications
Education/Experience:

• A university degree in medical related field/social sciences with an MPH or its equivalent, a minimum of 5-years relevant experience in HIV/AIDS programs
• An understanding of HIV/AIDS surveys in resource constrained settings.
• An experience with the field epidemiology will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated experience in the leadership, design, implementation, management and tracking/monitoring of HIV surveys

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

• Knowledge of and practical experience in HIV community-based research and ethical requirements
• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office package applications
• Excellent (fluent) English written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills. Knowledge of a Nigerian language will be an added advantage
• Leadership skills with ability to direct, delegate, motivate and inspire other team members
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Effective liaison, networking and collaboration skills
• Demonstration of planning and organizing interpersonal skills (active listening, empathy, social awareness, emotional awareness) with cultural sensitivity
• Flexible, willing to travel in the states within the zone and work weekends during the survey implementation period.

Job Title: Satellite Laboratory Specialist
Location: Nationwide
Duration: One year with the possibility of renewal subject to the availability of funds.

Job Description

• Through a contract with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) implements The Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS)
• The NAIIS program assists Nigeria to implement household-based surveys for HIV/AIDS, HepB & C and CD4 testing for population based survey.
• The NAIIS program seeks to fill a satellite Laboratory Specialist position to support the survey. The position is based at laboratories across the 36 states + FCT in Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities

• The satellite Laboratory specialist will be responsible for providing testing in the selected laboratory to measure the biomarkers for the National population-based surveys. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Overall specimen receipt verification, processing and storage as well as Lab operations of all NAIIS-related activities at the Satellite Laboratory
• Lead, coordinate and facilitate all activities related to specimen transfer and quality assurance
• Coordinate and facilitate the transport of specimens from the field to satellite/mobile laboratories
• Liaise with the field lab technician to ensure that field testing activities and transport of specimen from field to the satellite lab are conducted as per respective SOP
• Ensure blood samples are shipped from the satellite to the central laboratory in a timely manner to maintain specimen integrity.
• Ensure that lab staff receive and accession each specimen into a Laboratory Data Management System (LDMS) and process as per EPHIA standard operating procedure
• Monitor the entire quality system from Pre-examination, examination and post-examination which will include, occurrence management, daily/weekly reviews of QC documentation, troubleshooting both equipment and QC failures
• Monitor and ensure optimal laboratory environmental conditions are maintained to ensure quality of data
• Supervise, coordinate and schedule laboratory technicians at satellite/mobile lab and ensure optimal human resource is at hand to accomplish NAIIS testing
• Assess and monitor competency of all satellite lab technicians to ensure quality of results
• The satellite laboratory specialist position is a position that requires 100% commitment in the laboratory and will have shifts. It is expected that the laboratory specialist will demonstrate competence in Quality Management System (QMS), Laboratory Information Management system and Good Laboratory Practice.

Required Qualifications

• A Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technician, skilled in QMS and Data management.
• Experience in working on the laboratory bench for at least 3 years.
• Experience in HIV program; participation in proficiency testing is an advantage
• Experience with population survey will be an added advantage

Required Skills:

• Experience performing Quality Assurance measures in all phases of biomedical testing
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in English required.

Work Skills:

• Ability to work for long hours
• Ability to pay attention to details
• Ability to work with your hands and will need dexterity to work with small vials, test tubes, and delicate lab equipment.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well and cooperate with team members in the field.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment and routine equipment maintenance.
• A systematic approach to tasks and the ability to follow instructions and set procedures
• A high level of flexibility in performing the responsibilities of the position,
• An indigene of the state or resident in the state.

Job Title: Central Laboratory Specialist
Location: Abuja
Job Description

• Through a contract with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) implements The Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS). The NAIIS program assists Nigeria to implement household-based surveys for HIV/AIDS, HepB & C and CD4 testing for population based survey.
• The NAIIS program seeks to fill a Central Laboratory Specialist position to support the survey. The position is based at central laboratories location in FCT Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities

• The Central Laboratory specialist will be responsible for providing testing in the selected laboratory to measure the biomarkers for the National population-based surveys. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Coordinate the development of quality control materials and panels, shipment, distribution and analysis for the survey
• Conduct HIV Incidence test, HIV RNA, and HIVDNA PCR for EID, HIV DR test
• Ensure laboratory specimen data are correctly captured in the study database and assist with routine data analysis;
• Assist with the interpretation of laboratory results from the NAIIS project and provide feedback on ways to improve/streamline lab procedures and systems;
• Assist the NAIIS team to develop strategies to ensure timely reporting of results to study participants;
• Ensure that lab staff receive and accession each specimen into a Laboratory Data Management System (LDMS) and process as per NAIIS standard operating procedure
• Coordinate and facilitate the transport of specimens from the central laboratory to designated reference laboratories
• Liaise with NAIIS laboratory Advisor periodically.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a relevant scientific field strongly preferred
• Proficiency in VL and EID testing and specialized biomarkers for the survey
• Minimum 2 years of related experience in providing laboratory technical expertise in HIV surveys.
• Ability to prioritize, act independently, work under deadlines, and implement several tasks at once.
• The central laboratory specialist position is a position that requires 100% commitment in the laboratory and will have shifts. It is expected that the laboratory specialist will demonstrate competence in Quality Management System (QMS), Laboratory Information Management system and Good Laboratory Practice.

Required Qualifications:

• A medical laboratory scientist, medical laboratory technician, skilled in QMS and Data management.
• Experience in working on the laboratory bench for at least THREE years.
• Experience in HIV program; participation in proficiency testing is an advantage
• Experience with population survey will be an added advantage

Required Skills:

• Experience performing Quality Assurance measures in all phases of biomedical testing
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in English required.

Work Skills:

• Ability to work for long hours
• Ability to pay attention to details
• Ability to work with your hands and will need dexterity to work with small vials, test tubes, and delicate lab equipment.
•  Ability to work as part of a team as well and cooperate with team members in the field.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment and routine equipment maintenance.
•  A systematic approach to tasks and the ability to follow instructions and set procedures
• A high level of flexibility in performing the responsibilities of the position,
• An indigene of the state or resident in the state.