AABB is an international, not-for-profit association representing individuals and institutions involved in the field of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. AABB also provides technical assistance on blood safety to countries around the world under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a U.S. government initiative launched in 2004 to help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS. This work — managed by the association’s International Technical Assistance Division — involves training, development of clinical guidelines and country-specific standards, and outreach to ministries of health. Funded by grants issued by federal agencies, these efforts have yielded measurable improvements in the areas of donor recruitment, screening, collection, testing, storage and distribution systems as well as in the practice of transfusion medicine. During the first phase of PEPFAR, which ran from 2004 to 2009, AABB handled programs in Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania. AABB currently manages programs in Cambodia, Malawi, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zimbabwe as part of PEPFAR II, which began in 2010.
At this time, we are searching for an experienced Medical Technologist (or international equivalent) to serve on a contract basis as Country Director. Our primary initial need is for someone to live and work in Mozambique, but other countries may have openings as well. For Mozambique, the ability to speak fluent Portuguese is necessary. If you have other languages, please feel free to apply as we will have other opportunities in other countries. Please note your fluency level in all foreign languages and/or native tongues. This position will involve living and working full-time in a foreign country for a period of 1-2 years. Travel to the U.S. will be necessary but will likely be 1-2 weeks per year. Travel to other countries may also be required but will be limited. This position offers a consulting fee (contractor) plus housing allowance.
The Country Director is responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective implementation of AABB blood safety technical assistance work plans to improve blood safety and strengthen the national blood collection and transfusion services on a sustainable basis. In specific, the following duties will be performed:
- Develop, implement and maintain annual country work plans, quarterly/annual progress reports with collaboration from Mozambique National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS).
- In collaboration with technical assistance (TA) consultants and national office, develops terms of references for all TA activities. Ensures accurate and timely stakeholder reporting of all activities carried out in-country.
- With assistance from the national office and consultant staff, this position develops and conducts a wide range of educational and training programs (lectures, workshops, wet labs, demonstrations, mentorships, twinning programs) to include training program content (curriculum, objectives, performance measure, outputs, outcomes, and evaluation tools).
- Maintain and improve regular communications with stakeholders (Ministry of Health, CDC offices, and other PEPFAR partners) through facilitation of periodic conference calls. Schedules calls, develops agenda, confirms participant attendance, reviews and distributes minutes.
- Coordinate and manage all activities of in-country AABB consultants.
- Provide local/cultural advice & guidance to PI(s), Director- International Technical Assistance. Provide input and guidance during grant writing process.
- Review SOP’s, training documents & other documents for consistency, completeness & compliance with AABB and government requirements.
- Responsible for overall coordination & progress on country work plan.
- Provide technical advice to Mozambique Ministry of Health and NBTS on blood safety activities; provide management mentoring to supervisors and senior management.
- Provide Portuguese document language translation.
- Coordinate and participate in delivery of training activities, in-country meetings, AABB National Office visits and consultant trips.
- Assist in the development and review of training materials and general TA support documents (terms of references, trip reports, and evaluations).
- Provide technical support, within an area of expertise, to country work plans, quarterly/annual progress reports.
Desired Skills & Experience
The ideal candidate for this role will have a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Biology or Medical Technology, with experience in blood banking. Candidates should also demonstrate the following competencies critical to the success of the Country Director:
- Strong knowledge of all blood bank/transfusion medicine processes and procedures.
- Strong knowledge of quality management systems.
- Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
- Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with all levels of staff and government officials in a foreign country and in a multi-cultural/language environment.
- Demonstrated technical proficiency and understanding of its impact in area(s) of responsibility.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in interpersonal communications both orally and in writing.
- Proven ability to foster teamwork, cooperation, consensus, and facilitation of open communication.
If you are interested in applying to this position, please post your resume at: https://home2.eease.com/recruit/?id=2014272
EEO/AAP
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