LonAdd HR Consultancy Plc (www.lonadd.com) is a Recruitment & Outsourcing Company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with branch offices in Dukem, Hawassa and Bahir Dar. We are looking to recruit a qualified candidate on behalf of our client.

Location    Addis Ababa at AHRI

No. Required – 1 (One)

Contract duration:- 1 year with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance.

Start date – as soon as possible

Background

Background and Purpose of the Position

The Government of Ethiopia, with support from the World Bank, is implementing the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience (HEPRR) Multiphase Programmatic Approach to strengthen health-system resilience and preparedness and response capacities, including strengthening national research, diagnostic and health-product development capabilities. Within this framework, the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) plays an important role as a national biomedical research institution with a mandate covering biomedical sciences, biotechnology, clinical trials and related research and product-development activities. AHRI’s mandate has expanded to include the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines and support to Ethiopia’s pharmaceutical industry. To further strengthen translation of biomedical and clinical research into health products, AHRI is establishing a Molecular and Immunologic-Based Diagnostics Incubation Center within its new research complex, supported by investments in laboratory infrastructure and equipment.

The purpose of the Senior Advisor for Diagnostic Incubation Center Development position is to provide strategic and technical leadership for the establishment, operationalization and development of AHRI’s Diagnostic Incubation Center. The Advisor will guide the development of functional laboratory systems and workflows, strengthen molecular and immunological assay and prototype-development capacity, develop and implement appropriate SOPs, methods and quality standards, and support the translation of research outputs into diagnostic products. The position will also oversee implementation of the Center, advise on appropriate mechanisms for its sustainable development, and strengthen AHRI’s capacity to advance diagnostic innovation and product development.

Justification

AHRI requires dedicated senior technical assistance to establish functional laboratory systems, strengthen assay and prototype-development capacity, develop validated methods and quality standards, monitor implementation and support sustainable operationalization of the new Diagnostic Incubation Center. This time-bound support will accelerate translation of biomedical research into diagnostic products and build institutional capability.

Objectives Purpose and Expected Results

The assignment will establish and operationalize the Diagnostic Incubation Center, develop functional laboratory workflows, strengthen molecular and immunological assay and prototype-development capacity, establish SOPs and quality-assurance mechanisms, validate diagnostic methods and standards, monitor Center implementation and strengthen AHRI’s capacity for sustainable diagnostic innovation and product development.

Description of the Assignment

The Senior Advisor will provide strategic and technical guidance to AHRI for the establishment, operationalization and effective functioning of the Diagnostic Incubation Center. The Advisor will support appropriate laboratory systems, molecular and immunological assay-development capacity, SOPs, quality-assurance mechanisms and product-development processes, while monitoring implementation and providing recommendations to strengthen performance and sustainability.

Specific Tasks

• Provide strategic direction to AHRI for establishing and operationalizing the Diagnostic Incubation Center, including functional workflows for ventilation, cleaning, sterilization, biosafety and biorisk management.
• Establish and strengthen capacity for molecular and/or immunological-based assay and assay-prototype development, including application of relevant technologies.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines for different laboratory methods and procedures and ensure their effective implementation.
• Develop and validate new methods, protocols and standards for diagnostic assays and tests, ensuring appropriate quality control and quality assurance.
• Develop a spin-off implementation plan for the Diagnostic Incubation Center and facilitate its approval by AHRI.
• Monitor specific activities and overall implementation of the Diagnostic Incubation Center to ensure progress toward intended objectives.
• Provide technical advice on appropriate mechanisms and approaches for the realization, development and effective functioning of the Diagnostic Incubation Center.
• Prepare and share periodic progress reports and regular meeting notes documenting implementation progress, key issues, decisions and required follow-up actions.
• Perform other relevant duties as requested by the Technical Assistance Team.

Deliverables and Reporting Requirements

Major Task

• Provide strategic direction to AHRI for establishing and operationalizing the Diagnostic Incubation Center, including functional workflows for ventilation, cleaning, sterilization, biosafety and biorisk management.
• Establish and strengthen capacity for molecular and/or immunological-based assay and assay-prototype development, including application of relevant technologies.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines for different laboratory methods and procedures and ensure their effective implementation.
• Develop and validate new methods, protocols and standards for diagnostic assays and tests, ensuring appropriate quality control and quality assurance.
• Develop a spin-off implementation plan for the Diagnostic Incubation Center and facilitate its approval by AHRI.
• Monitor specific activities and overall implementation of the Diagnostic Incubation Center to ensure progress toward intended objectives.
• Provide technical advice on appropriate mechanisms and approaches for the realization, development and effective functioning of the Diagnostic Incubation Center.
• Prepare and share periodic progress reports and regular meeting notes documenting implementation progress, key issues, decisions and required follow-up actions.

Deliverable

• Diagnostic Incubation Center Establishment and Operationalization Plan – Strategic and technical guidance, including functional workflows for ventilation, cleaning, sterilization, biosafety and biorisk management.
• Molecular and Immunological Assay Development Capacity Established – Functional capacity and technologies established for molecular and/or immunological assays and prototype development.
• Laboratory SOPs and Guidelines – SOPs and technical guidelines developed for relevant laboratory methods and procedures, with implementation mechanisms established.
• Validated Diagnostic Methods Protocols and Standards – New diagnostic assay and test methods, protocols and standards developed and validated with quality-control and quality-assurance measures.
• Spin-off Implementation Plan – Comprehensive plan developed and submitted to AHRI for review and approval.
• Diagnostic Incubation Center Implementation Monitoring Reports – Regular reports documenting progress, challenges and areas requiring corrective action.
• Technical Advisory Recommendations – Recommendations on mechanisms for realization, development and effective functioning of the Center.

Project Management

• The Senior Advisor will report to the Vaccine, Diagnostics and Medical Device R and D Directorate at AHRI. The Advisor will coordinate with AHRI leadership, laboratory teams and the Technical Assistance Team, while CLIENT provides contract oversight through the institutional third-party HR service arrangement.

General Conditions Procedures and Logistics

Payment Modality and Schedule

• The salary will be paid on a monthly basis by LonAdd upon successful completion of the monthly deliverable.

Policy Conditions

• The HR firm will manage all administrative issues and aspects based on HR policies and procedures.
• All remuneration must be within the contract agreement through the HR firm.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both the HR firm and the consultant.
• Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority over the CLIENT budget.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated scientific knowledge and understanding of laboratory systems.
• Experience in diagnostics and diagnostic supply or reagent development and production, particularly molecular and immunoassays, including RT-PCR, cloning, gel electrophoresis, ELISA, LFA and primer or probe design.
• Experience in the expression and purification of recombinant antigens for detecting antibodies against priority pathogens.
• Significant experience in research and development, product development, laboratory capacity building, assay development, troubleshooting and quality control.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to lead multiple workstreams simultaneously and prioritize effectively.
• Good understanding of advanced research and development, prototype development and laboratory systems.
• Excellent computer skills, including word processing, email and internet applications, and Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word.