Title: Biosafety Consultant
Location: Hanoi
Division: Vietnam Country Program

The Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance (IDDS) is a 5-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project designed to support USAID’s tuberculosis, Global Health Security Agenda, and Emerging Pandemic Threat strategies and portfolios, while encouraging integration or coordination across public health diseases and between the human and animal health sectors where appropriate. IDDS will implement USAID, U.S. Government, and global initiatives and strategies aimed to reduce global health threats posed by infectious diseases—including tuberculosis (TB) and multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB), focusing on strengthening disease detection networks and surveillance systems to:

• Improve the detection of diseases of public health importance and identification of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in priority infectious diseases through an accessible, accurate, adaptable, timely and integrated diagnostic network system.
• Improve the quality of real-time surveillance systems for pathogens of greatest public health concern, including AMR and zoonotic diseases.

In Vietnam IDDS TB will assist USAID/Vietnam to strengthen the TB diagnostic/laboratory network in line with the Government of Vietnam’s national strategic plan (NSP). Activities will focus on the strategic interventions to help reach NSP targets, build off of activities and successes of other USAID and USG-supported projects such as Challenge TB, and complement and enhance the impact of TB and MDR-TB diagnostic support funded by the Global Fund and other technical partners. Technical assistance and support will be provided at the national level and to USAID-supported provinces. IDDS TB will aim to achieve two overarching objectives throughout the life of the project with key activities as follows:

1. Optimize the diagnostic network to address issues of access, timeliness, and diagnostic accuracy

• Strengthen specimen transport system in selected districts to serve as a model for expansion across USAID-targeted geographies.
• Support the expansion of the GeneXpert network.
• Incorporate Phenotypic and Genotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) into the TB diagnostic system.
• Provide technical assistance to GeneXpert facilities.
• Adapt Double-X algorithm to incorporate AI-reading of X-rays and expand use of algorithm in private sector.

2. Scale-up pediatric TB diagnosis

• Expand GeneXpert testing of stool specimens as part of the pediatric diagnostic algorithm.

3. Deploy innovative tools and equipment for Vietnam TB diagnostics

• Integrate result of “trace” reading in TB diagnosis when using GX Ultra cartridges
• Establish technical working group to introduce next generation sequencing

IDDS through PATH is seeking a qualified biosafety expert to develop Safe Working Practices training materials for TB laboratories including presentations and practice scenarios, videos as per the standard WHO guidelines. The material is intended to use for providing hands-on training to the staff working in the TB laboratories.

Responsibilities:

The qualified biosafety expert will develop a Safe Working Practices and biosafety training materials including presentations and practice scenarios as per the standard WHO guidelines and based on GLI Safe Working Practices Handbook. The material is intended to use for providing hands-on training to the staff working in the TB laboratories.

Required skills and experience:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, medicine, or a related field.
• Advanced degree in public health or related field or is preferred.
• At least 3-year experience working in TB laboratory and Laboratory Biosafety.

Consultancy period: August 2021 (up to 8 working days)

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit your CV and application letter to Ms. Hang Nguyen, email: [email protected]

Deadline for applications: July 21st, 2020.

Organization: PATH
Location: Hanoi
Application deadline: 2021-07-21
Send application to: [email protected]