Quality System Implementation Officer

Terms of employment: Contract

Duration of Contract: 3 months with possibility of extension.

Duty Station: Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa

Required number: one

Report to: Food Science and Nutrition Research Directorate, Food safety research case team

Job Summary: Work with Food Science and Nutrition Research Directorate, Food safety research case team, management officers perform researches on food safety to Ensure National Food safety and quality system, develop and strengthen national food safety surveillance and laboratory system and Provide research evidence on food safety for policy input.

Background

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) is a technical arm of the Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia responsible to conducting research in health and nutrition, managing public health emergency and providing reference laboratory services. The institute is conducting various researches in nutrition and health. Currently food safety is becoming the public health priority. More people expect a wider variety of foods than in the past which embarks new challenges to food safety. Most of people are at risk of death from common foodborne illnesses. Malnourished infants and children who are exposed to foodborne hazards are at higher risk of developing serious forms of diarrheal diseases which creates a vicious cycle of debilitation and mortality. Food Science and Nutrition Research Directorate, Food safety research case team, of the institute is closely working with, Food safety research case team Ministry of health, development partners’ and other sectors to make all program decision evidence based.

For the effective implementation of these activities EPHI would like to recruit a researcher who will support the laboratory work of Food safety research case team. The incumbent will closely work, facilitate, and liaise with assigned experts at EPHI and other stakeholders.

Job Description (Main Duties and responsibilities)

1. The quality manager lead and coordinate quality assurance team and assure the implementation and maintenance of the Quality Management System in Food microbiology laboratory

2.Train, monitor and effectively supervise technical team who working with him or her.

3. Ensure sufficient supplies and equipment are available for microbiologist.

4. Monitoring of laboratory practices to verify continuing compliance with policies and procedures

5. Monitoring the corrective actions on non-conformances raised in auditing and report to top management in management review meeting

6. Organizing auditor training and updates on the standards and its requirement

7. Assuring of laboratory quality policy manual and associated operations documentations

8. Ensure the documents are reviewed to update with existing methodologies or procedures

9. Monitor and keep a list of updated level documents which are maintained by document

10.Responsible in organizing and facilitating the activities of assessment

11 .Implement and maintains the non-testing laboratory on ISO 17025:2017

12.Monitor all work performed in the laboratory to determine that reliable data are being generated

13.Define, implement and monitors standards of performance and quality improvement of the laboratory         

14.Monitoring of laboratory practices to verify continuing compliance   with policies and procedures

15.Responsible for ensuring the effective control and operation of all test activities carried out in the laboratories

16.   Ensure the laboratory participates in relevant proficiency tests or inter-laboratory and inter-collaborative studies

17. Ensure that appropriate communication processes are established within the laboratory and that communication takes place regarding the effectiveness of the quality management system

18.Review standard operating procedures and results

19.Checks all internal quality control procedures are in place and implemented.

20. Support food microbiology laboratory to involve in External quality assurance system

21.Create smooth communication with other laboratories,

22.Support the laboratory on documentation, quality data collection and transferring of data to EPHI data center,

23. Compiling and reporting laboratory activities performed to laboratory coordinator on quarterly.

24.Working closely with laboratory head and the team,

25.Prepare progress performance report and apply to accreditation body to certify the Micro lab.

26.Any other task deemed necessary to achieve the objectives of the project assigned by immediate supervisor and Directorate

· Master’s degree, in Food science and Nutrition, Food Science and Technology, Quality laboratory management or related discipline.

Training on

·Laboratory Management System and Implementation based on ISO 17025:2017.

· Food Safety Management System based on ISO 22000

· Internal Auditor based on ISO 19011

Experiences

The incumbent must have

· Experience of at least 10+ years in different governmental organization and non-govern mental organization as quality Manager or quality system implementation

·Lead auditor for quality, environmental and food safety management audit

· At least accredited ISO 17025:2017 for five laboratories

·  Specialty in testing, inspection, certification, standardization and accreditation on ISO 17025:2017

Desired Competencies

 · Good command of written and spoken English.

·  Excellent interpersonal communication skills (verbal & written) required. 

·  Ability to lead a team in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)-based environment.

·  Communication and supervision;

· Problem solving and decision

·   Efficiently operate automated laboratory analyzers,

· Infection Prevention,

·  Equipment preventive maintenance & Safety

· Ability and being proactive in team works.

· Experience working with/knowledge about existing health policies, the Ethiopian health sector development program strategies and plans and the health system strengthening activities of the country 

Monitoring and Reporting

· The Quality System officer will report to the food safety research team leader

· The Quality system officer will be base at Food Science and Nutrition Research Directorate, Food safety research case team.