Lab Coordinator

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Benefits Project

Position: Lab Coordinator

Deadline to Apply: Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis, final deadline Feb 28th, 2014

Start Date: April 1, 2014

Location: Western Kenya

Eligibility: This position is open to all applicants

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) seeks a qualified applicant for the position of Lab Coordinator for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Benefits Project.

Currently in the midst of a five-year study, WASH Benefits is collecting rigorous evidence on the health impacts of improved water, sanitation and hygiene practices, alongside improved nutrition in rural Kenya. 

Low-cost technologies and behavior change communications strategies are being implemented to promote drinking water treatment, good sanitation practices, handwashing with soap and improved nutrition. 

This position is located in Kakamega, Kenya. 

The WASH Benefits Lab Coordinator is supervised by Dr. Clair Null (Emory University), Dr. Amy Pickering (Stanford University), and Dr. Audrie Lin (UC Berkeley), with in-country oversight by the WASH Benefits Project Director and Research Manager. 

The Lab Coordinator will also work closely with collaborators at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

Responsibilities:

The Lab Coordinator will work closely with senior project management and staff to perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to:

• Develop and supervise implementation of sample collection and processing systems described below to ensure of the highest quality data, including; development/modification of lab standard operating procedures (SOP), process documentation, tracking systems, and monitoring of staff performance
• Keep senior management (managers, directors and PIs) appraised of all key developments related to Lab activities, including provision of written reports
• Directly supervise two Lab Project Associates and provide mentorship to all staff involved in Lab activities, including holding regular meetings and coordinating trainings
• Oversee sample collection, processing, and microbial analysis of samples from drinking water sources, household stored water, child hands, and child toys for quantitative enumeration of fecal indicator bacteria using membrane filtration.
• Oversee sample collection, processing, aliquoting, and sample flow of child stool, blood, and urine samples to measure biomarkers of environmental enteropathy and parasite infections among young children (e.g. microscopy of stool for soil-transmitted helminth infections, blood centrifugation, aliquoting of blood, stool, and urine)
• Coordinate and oversee logistical planning for sample collection, processing, flow, and data entry by tracking enrollment, specimen collection, and follow-up targets; working with supervisors to determine when corrective action is needed in order to ensure that activities are consistent with approved SOPs and project objectives
• Lead the design and participate in the coding of survey instruments to be used during field sample collection
• Assist with data management, data cleaning, and analysis of all lab and field sample collection data
•  Provide projections, and basic oversight of financial accounting related to lab activities.
• Participate HR oversight process and provide recommendations to senior management on all aspects of HR for the Lab team
• Overall responsibility for inventory and procurement coordination for all lab and field sample collection activities
• Closely coordinate with Data Management, Data Collection, Logistics and Procurement personnel

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in a relevant field such as biology, environmental health, public Health, or other related field
•  At least two years of laboratory experience, preferably in the context of a field lab in a low-income country
• Experience with culture based bacterial assays a plus
• Experience processing blood and stool samples a plus
• Experience running ELISA assays a plus
• Experience with Open Data Kit and STATA a plus
• Experience shipping and tracking samples
• Excellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skills
• Excellent management, organizational, critical thinking and interpersonal skills
• Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and team player
• Strong written and oral communication skills and complete fluency in English is required. Kiswahili proficiency is preferred.
• Experience working in a low-income country (particularly sub-Saharan Africa)
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter and detailed CV, 3 references, daytime phone number(s), and email address.

Applications must be submitted by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org . 

Please ensure that the subject line reads: “Lab Coordinator” REF NO. Wash B-2014-02-01. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by email for an interview. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Disclaimer: 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Lab Coordinator. 

The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. 

Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. 

Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. 

Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org.