Technical Coordinator

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Technical Coordinator
Duration of contract: 12 months with possible extension
Salary: Competitive
Duty station: Hanoi, Vietnam
Opening date: 26 September 2018
Closing date: 25 October 2018

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against tuberculosis (TB), still the second most deadly infectious disease in the world.

KNCV is an international center of expertise for TB control that promotes effective, efficient, innovative and sustainable tuberculosis control strategies in a national and international context. We are an organization of passionate TB professionals, including doctors, researchers, training experts, nurses and epidemiologists. We aim to stop the spread of the worldwide epidemic of TB and to prevent the further spread of drug-resistant TB.

Over the past century we have built up a wealth of knowledge and expertise, initially by successfully controlling TB in the Netherlands. Since the 1970s, we have also shared our knowledge and expertise with the rest of the world. We operate from a central office in The Hague in the Netherlands, a regional office in Central Asia and country offices worldwide. KNCV raises funds from private, institutional, corporate, and government donors.

In Vietnam, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation promotes effective, efficient and sustainable tuberculosis control in Vietnam by supporting and building capacity of health system, including national programs and active participation in national and international policy development.

We have a vacancy for a Technical Coordinator for Cepheid HBDC GeneXpert technology, based in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Project Description: KNCV in collaboration with CEPHEID HBDC is to provide a basic technical service package for a novel molecular test to detect tuberculosis (TB) via diagnostic technology endorsed by the World Health Organization called GeneXpert MTB/RIF. This technology is being scaled-up in the National TB program and National AIDS program. This is a basic service provision that includes installation, trouble-shooting and maintenance both remotely and on-site and introduction of joint utilization of TB, HIV and other tests where the technology has been placed in Vietnam.

Project Goal: KNCV aims to achieve effective and efficient use of GeneXpert platforms by building capacity of both the end-users as well as with National TB and National AIDS programs.

Technical Coordinator – (Cepheid): Provide technical and programmatic support, especially in the area of onsite support for installation, preventative maintenance and trouble-shooting to complement existing GeneXpert MTB/RIF roll-out and introduction of integrated diagnostic platforms for TB, HIV and other diseases. S/he will also contribute to the strengthening of working relationships with other stakeholders and building of systems for program sustainability.

Position in the organization: Hierarchically, the Technical Coordinator reports to the KNCV Country Director

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Function as ASP’s technical lead on GeneXpert platform (MTB/RIF integrated assays) and related SOPs.

• Coordinate daily project operations, procurement and supply management, monitoring of project implementation and reporting. Coordinate a management system for GeneXpert installation, trouble-shooting and routine maintenance including supportive supervision of technical officers providing the basic service package.

• Ensure all assigned cases are duly followed up and reported accordingly

• Provide technical support to sites (remote and onsite) using the GeneXpert technology.

• Work in conjunction with KNCV Central Office (The Hague), and Project Coordinator to actively seek support for solving major technical problems of GeneXpert MTB/RIF machines identified in the field directly with the in-country or remote GeneXpert MTB/RIF manufacturer (Cepheid HBDC) designee.

• Coordinate and work with NTP, VAAC and other partners to pilot of the introduction of integrated diagnostic platforms for TB, HIV and other diseases

• Coordinate and work with KNCV-HQ consultant and local consultant to implement the private sector engagement to support CEPHEID in its endeavors to increase the uptake of GeneXpert tests by the private sector

• Support training of pool of trainers (Training-of-Trainers) identified by National TB and HIV Programs to assist with the roll-out of GeneXpert MTB\RIF and introduction of integrated diagnostic platforms for TB, HIV and other diseases

• Work together with the NTP GeneXpert technical support Team, National AIDS Program, the multi-stakeholder body responsible for coordinating all national GeneXpert roll-out in Vietnam

• Support the development of a GeneXpert maintenance plan and logbooks at all levels.

• Support the development of the database and regularly update the database for careful tracking of modules (functioning and non-functioning, status and lead time of maintenance and repair).

• Support in the provision of quarterly reports on basic installation, trouble-shooting and maintenance activities.
  
  • Check dedicated email address at least bi-daily
  • Ensure the phone number is functional and available during working hours.
  • Schedule a skype meeting and send out invitations to KNCV and Cepheid HBDC at the first week of each month ( Make available all documents required for the meeting)

• All other duties as assigned by the KNCV Country representative.

• Report and update the implementing progress to the KNCV Country Representative.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

A degree in the Medical Sciences or Laboratory Sciences (an MPH would be an advantage) and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in TB or HIV Programmes.

Technical and Behavioral Competencies

• Good working knowledge of current national TB and HIV guidelines
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in TB/HIV programs
• Knowledge on CEPHEID diagnostic platforms
• Ability to organize and coordinate training program on GeneXpert MTB/RIF and multi disease platforms
• Ability to multitask, with knowledge of various programme areas
• Ability to work with discretion and minimal supervision
• Basic logistic and operational understanding of the supply chain
• Good written and oral communication skills in both English and Vietnamese
• Good computer skills
• Ability to work well in a team

Additional characteristics

• Tasks are performed independently within a set policy framework of responsibilities and assignments;
• Frequent travel in-country.

What does KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation offer?

• A contract for 12 months, with the intension to extend the contract;
• An informal work atmosphere in an international environment where initiative is appreciated;
• A highly-motivated team of experienced, self-driven colleagues;
• The salary is dependent on education and relevant working experience;
• KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Vietnam has its own Employment Conditions Scheme;
• Full-time employment consists of 40 hours per week.
• Initial training on GeneXpert service provision.

Application:

Applicants are requested to submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae with names and contacts of the last three professional references to the E-mail address: [email protected] under subject ‘Technical Coordinator’. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via email.

Only short listed applicants will be contacted for interviews. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks from the closing date, your application was not successful.

We invite you to learn more about KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation and Challenge TB project by accessing our websites www.kncvtbc.org and www.challengetb.org