Senior Medical Scientist

Pacific People (AVI)·Location: Fiji HIV/ STI Unit

Other·Contract

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About the company

AVI is an Australian not-for-profit international development organisation that has worked with governments and community partners worldwide since 1951. This role is delivered in partnership with the Doherty Institute under the DFAT-funded Strategic Partnership Program, working with Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services through the National Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Unit. The Doherty Institute contributes through the Australian Support for Pacific HIV Action partnership, working with national and regional partners to improve access to quality HIV, sexual and reproductive health, and viral hepatitis services.

About the role

This is a 1 year contract, with potential extension, based at the Fiji HIV/SRH Unit. The Senior Medical Scientist/National QA Officer works closely with the National Diagnostic Lead to strengthen disease surveillance and decentralise quality-assured diagnostic services for HIV, STIs, viral hepatitis, TB and other opportunistic infections across MoHMS clinical laboratories and SRH sites. The role provides technical oversight and coordination of the national Quality Assurance programme, including QA panel distribution, laboratory enrolment, blind retesting and guidance to the QA Officer on the national EQA programme. It also involves participating in validation and rollout of new testing algorithms and diagnostics such as 4th generation HIV assays, Hepatitis B/C, CrAg, toxoplasmosis, GeneXpert platforms and point-of-care testing. The incumbent supports data entry and integration with national surveillance/LIS systems, procurement planning, commodity tracking, national audits, and diagnostic pilot project planning and reporting. The role also involves mentoring and training laboratory staff, facilitating stakeholder meetings and technical workshops, and representing MOHMS and the Doherty Institute's HIV testing programs with internal and external partners.

Key responsibilities

• Support roll out, decentralisation and supervision of diagnostic services across MoHMS clinical laboratories and SRH sites for HIV, STI, HBV, HCV and TB.
• Provide technical oversight and coordination of the national QA programme, including panel distribution, laboratory enrolment and tracking, and blind retesting/rechecks.
• Provide technical guidance to the QA Officer on implementation of the national EQA programme.
• Participate in validation and roll out of new testing algorithms and diagnostics, including 4th generation HIV assays, Hepatitis B/C, CrAg, toxoplasmosis, GeneXpert platforms and POCT.
• Develop and disseminate laboratory test algorithms and site-specific testing procedures.
• Provide hands-on mentoring, training and capacity building for laboratory officers, clinicians and SRH laboratory staff.
• Support diagnostic data entry, quality monitoring, integration with national surveillance/LIS systems, and timely analyses and reporting.
• Assist in procurement planning, commodity tracking, stock management, and coordinate logistics and support national audits of diagnostic facilities.

About the successful candidate

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Medical Laboratory Sciences with demonstrated experience in clinical laboratory settings.
• At least 5 years demonstrated experience in a clinical or public health setting.
• Sound knowledge of diagnostic algorithms and test methods for HIV, STIs, TB, Hepatitis B/C and opportunistic infections.
• Experience developing and implementing SOPs and laboratory audits, with sound knowledge of quality assurance programs.
• Strong skills in laboratory mentorship, training delivery and coordination.
• Demonstrated experience with data reporting, analysis and integration with surveillance systems.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, able to relate effectively with government, laboratory scientists, international specialists and regional organisations such as WHO.
• Excellent organisational skills, problem-solving ability, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and willingness to travel within Fiji.