Background
The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) is an International Partnership that provides grants to lower income countries with high HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis disease burden including Uganda. The Fund also supports health service delivery through grants that are dedicated to health and community systems strengthening. These resources are additional to and not a replacement for financing to the health sector from recipient Governments. Recipient Countries are required to demonstrate transparency, traceability, attribution and efficient accountability of the resources.
Uganda under the Ministry of Health (MoH) has received funding from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) under the 2021-2023 NFM3 grant. Part of this grant is to source for eligible talent to cover human resources gaps in the Ministry of Health in order to strengthen its capacity. Ministry of Health therefore is advertising to recruit competent persons to fill the following posts under the grant based at the MoH headquarters whose job description and person specifications indicated below. The incumbents will be offered contracts that will be renewable based on satisfactory performance.

NATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS & LEPROSY PROGRAM
Laboratory Technologist (1)
Requirements Comments
Reporting arrangements Assistant Commissioner – NTLP
Justification
The Biomedical Laboratory Technologist will ensure proper coordination of the TB diagnostic network country wide and in selected regions/districts. Specifically, the job holder will coordinate Gen Expert Microscopy services and Urine LAM across all TB clinics country wide. Among others, the coordination role will compel the Technologist to work with the National Laboratory team to ensure proper functionality of Mobile TB lab services and establishment of TB diagnostic centers of excellence in selected communities per region. The job holder will also be charged with a duty to establish mobile clinics with Quality Lab. Management Systems. Among others, the job requires readiness to adopt methods of Continuous quality improvement and Total Quality health services management of the whole of TB diagnostic Network.

Responsibilities
• Set up TB Laboratories in the mobile clinics, conduct assay verifications and develop standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Work with Community Specialist, Radiographers, Regional Partners and other stake holders to plan, schedule and conduct TB out reaches using the Mobile Clinics.
• Carry out periodic equipment maintenance and calibrations
• Perform laboratory procedures including sample collection, reception, processing, and testing (analysis) in accordance with approved standard operating procedures
• Establish Quality Management System (QMS) in the mobile clinics
• Perform Biosafety and Biosecurity procedures to ensure a safe working environment
• Carry out recording and reporting using the HMIS tools and any other approved tools
• Conduct and document Internal Quality controls (IQC) and participate in external quality assessment activities.
• Compile and submit periodic summary reports (weekly, monthly and quarterly) to NTRL and NTLP
• Participate in National program planning and performance review meetings
• Participate in development and dissemination of new policies, guidelines and SOPs.
• Participate in training, support supervision and mentorship of health workers and formulate plans for capacity building.
• Ensure an enabling environment to establish direct linkages of all diagnosed patients to treatment.
• Ensure that the mobile clinic is set and kept to the required service standards and in good working conditions.
• Support all activities that lead to improved TB case finding, treatment retention and community engagement.
• And any other duties assigned by the supervisor

Deliverables and outputs
• Reports of functional quality client centered and standardized TB Lab services
• Evidence on adherence to developed lab standards
• Set a networked lab system linked to support timely treatment services
• Timely reporting at all levels
• Evidence of Internal lab controls in practice and documented
• Improved skill capacity of Health Workers for the Lab. team
• Approved Lab plans and budgets shared provided
• Account and report of TB out reaches conducted by Mobile Clinics.
• A fully and well maintained Lab system
• Weekly reports on TB case finding data
• Well maintained and efficient and effective Mobile services provided

Minimum qualifications and experience
• Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Technology,
• Master of Medical Laboratory Science or Master of Science in Immunology and Clinical microbiology or Master of Public Health or any other related field from a recognized University.
• At least 2 years working in a TB Culture Laboratory.
• Knowledgeable about the End TB strategy and the current National TB & Leprosy Strategic plan.
• Good understanding of National sample referral system.
• Sound understanding of Laboratory Quality management system (ISO: 15189:2012 & ISO: 17043).
• Understands the structure and functionality of the TB Laboratory network
• Good knowledge on laboratory logistics management
• Knowledge on the current HMIS tools for TB and TB/HIV

Other competencies
• Ability to provide timely reports and generally self-management
• A good culture of records management
• Ability to work well independently and as part of teams.
• Track record of flexibility when required to attend to duty and client concerns and adapt to changing work conditions.
• Computer proficiency, including use of various relevant software and other applications e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internal databases, internet navigation etc.