Mar 3, 2014

BioSecurity Specialist - Afghanistan

Employer: CTG Global
Location: Afghanistan
Closing date: 31 Mar 2014

Background on CTG Global
CTG Global is a Human Resources Service Company specializing in Recruitment, Management Consultancy, Human Resources support services and Monitoring & Evaluation in post disaster and post conflict countries around the world.

CTG Global provides services to humanitarian organizations, government, non-governmental organizations, businesses, security companies and individuals that enables them to focus on their core business and the achievement of their objectives in hostile and threatening environments as we provide a safe and secure environment for them to do so and alleviate them of their risks, crisis and
personnel management problems.

Overview of Position
The overall objective of the client is as follows: To assist the Government of Afghanistan in reducing biorisk and increasing capacity to effectively detect and report diseases and pathogens of security concern.

The Biosecurity Specialist will support the project and its partner organisations in assisting the DTRA to enhance Afghanistan’s and partner country’s BS&S standards and procedures.The Biosecurity Specialist will assist in the development of reports, assessing and analysing technical and regulatory aspects of BS&S; facilitating the planning and implementation of improvements. The primary aim is to improve quality and safety of laboratories, through the identification and rectification of physical or utility infrastructure and equipment shortfalls that represent an imminent biosecurity risk in Afghanistan.

Job Description
Specific Tasks of the Specialist
The specialist will provide assistance to DTRA in the following areas:

Development of a Baseline Assessment Report:
Work with the Project Technical Lead in reviewing facility survey templates provided by CH2M Hill and assist with modifying the templates as necessary to collect all information needed to meet requirements.
If available in time, attend a survey and template use training session, lasting one week in Tbilisi (Georgia), starting 31st March 2014.
Work with the Project Technical Lead in executing a Regulatory Environment Assessment. This shall assess laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to the animal health system biosafety and biosecurity, and biosurveillance.
Work with a laboratory specialist to undertake a Technical System Assessment, including Biosafety and Security assessments of facilities (likely the central vet lab in Kabul and one or two other labs) which will include the identification of any deficiencies in the physical structures and an inventory of existing laboratory equipment with a rationale for usage. This shall also address the ‘insider threat’ and the potential intentional release of biological agents. Through the above assessment provide a short report on each facility detailing the current situation. This will be sent to CH2M Hill who will prepare an overall Baseline Assessment Report.

Development of a Gap Analysis Report:
Based on the above situational analysis report (or as part of this), with the laboratory specialist, prepare an assessment of gaps in the infrastructure and equipment needs of each facility needed to bring them up to international standards. This shall be sent to CH2M Hill who will prepare an overall gap analysis report.
Work alongside the Project Technical Lead and other specialists in providing a peer review of the draft Gap Analysis Report which will include separate sections on animal biosafety and security and biological research, and their related trainings comparing capacities identified in the Baseline Assessment Report with end state objectives in Afghanistan.

Development of an Implementation Operation Report (IOR):
Work alongside the Project Technical lead and other specialists in reviewing the Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) format for the IOR and prepare CBAs for BS&S options, comparing costs of and identifying cost mitigating alternatives and their associated risks.
Assist in providing a peer review of the draft IOR.

Rapid Upgrades and Laboratory Equipment Installation:
Assist in the development of a prioritised list of necessary BS&S upgrades (within the budget available), with justifications for the recommendations – note that this could be done in one go with the situation analysis and gap analysis and CBA work. This shall include the identification of any physical or utility infrastructure modifications required to support new equipment or system installations.
Drawing on the findings of the Baseline Reports, develop a prioritised list of necessary laboratory equipment (within the budget available), with justifications for the recommendations (for up to 3 facilities). Note that this could be done in one go with the situation analysis and gap analysis and CBA work.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Practical experience working in biosecurity and biosafety.
  • Practical laboratory experience, undertaking gap analyses on: laboratory infrastructure modifications and new equipment or system installations in line with biosecurity and biosafety measures and providing recommendations based on findings.
  • Practical experience working in biorisk assessment and management.
  • An understanding of regulatory frameworks for i.e. laws, regulations and policies relating to biosafety and biosecurity.
  • Able to effectively communicate and coordinate with different government agencies and stakeholders to ensure a collaborative approach to working and enhancing outcomes.Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Fluent in English.

How to apply:
Applicants should send a letter of application and their CV to careers@ctgglobal.com. Please subject your email with BHJOB433