Lab Manager

TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

Position Title: RISE Lab Manager

Program: Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE

Reporting to: RISE Assessment Project Manager Indonesia (1), RISE Country Manager Indonesia (2), RISE Project Manager, Assessment in Melbourne (Monash University) (3)

Duty Station: Makassar, Indonesia

Duration: 12 months, extendable based on performance

Work Days: Full time, flexible (40 hours per week) as directed

Closing Date: Monday 20 September 2024, 11:59 PM Makassar Time 

Enquiries and Applications: Maghfira Saifuddaolah, RISE Assessment Project Manager Indonesia c/o Nurul Natsir, RISE Project Administrator ([email protected]). Your application should consist of a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria (detailed below) and a current CV and referees. 

 

Background

The Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) program is an action-research program led by Monash University Australia in partnership with Hasanuddin University Makassar. RISE is a randomised-control trial (RCT) of a new water-sensitive approach to upgrading water and sanitation services in informal settlements across Makassar, Indonesia and Suva, Fiji. Working with communities, governments, local leaders and partner institutions, RISE is co-designing location-specific solutions that integrate green infrastructure, such as constructed wetlands, to strengthen the whole-of-life water and sanitation cycle. RISE success will be measured by the health and well-being of residents – particularly children under five years of age – and the ecological diversity of the surrounding environment. RISE has been in operation in Makassar since 2017 and involves the participation of 13 informal settlements in Makassar.

RISE is a consortium of 27 world-leading academic, government, industry and NGO institutions. The RISE team includes more than 170 researchers and practitioners from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, including ecology, biology, medicine, engineering, urban design, science, community development, and social science disciplines.

We are seeking an experienced Lab Manager to join our team at the Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University based at the Tamalanrea campus. This position performs a range of significant and complex research activities that play a critical role in supporting the delivery of the RISE Assessment program outcomes. The successful candidate will be instrumental in ensuring the seamless operation of the laboratory, compliance with ISO 9001 certification, and efficient delivery of research services. This includes overseeing and undertaking risk management and adverse events for maintenance of ISO 9001 certification, meetings with stakeholders, researchers and laboratory staff, developing and curating standard operating procedures, and supporting auditing activities to ensure the maintenance of safety standards and practices for sustained ISO accreditation.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA 

Education / Qualifications 

  • A recognised degree in a relevant field of biological, chemical, or physical sciences, such as medical or clinical laboratory science, environmental science, microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or immunology. 

Experience 

Required: 

  • At least five years of experience in microbiology or laboratory science research, environmental health research and/or public health research projects. 
  • Experience working in an ISO 9001 or ISO 17025 standard, or in a similar accredited laboratory, with a minimum of two years at a supervisory level. 

Desirable: 

  • Relevant postgraduate qualifications are highly desirable 
  • Experience in molecular diagnostics and/or genomic techniques is an advantage. 
  • Experience in culture based faecal indicator organism assays is preferred
  • Experience with ELISAs is preferred. 

Knowledge and Skills 

  • Strong understanding of laboratory practices, processes, equipment and procedures, as well as a good knowledge of the Laboratory Quality Management System and its significance in laboratory operations. 
  • Knowledge in the general safety within the laboratory, effective personal protective equipment use, complies to and advocates laboratory policies and SOPs 
  • Demonstrated relationship management and consulting skills, including the ability to interact with, negotiate with and gain cooperation from internal and external stakeholders. 
  • Demonstrated highly-developed planning and organisational skills, with experience establishing priorities, implementing improvements and meeting deadlines yet maintaining attention to detail. 
  • Ability to participate in essential meetings, articulate ideas, and provide concise written reports, updates, and documentation as required. 
  • Clear communication in a Team environment 
  • Must be a self-starter and able to work with minimum supervision 
  • Must be familiar with a community-based development project environment 
  • Demonstrated computer literacy skills, including Microsoft Office applications, to enhance productivity and support daily tasks.

 

Other Job-related Information 

  • Travel to other campuses of the University and related institutions may be required 
  • There may be a requirement to work additional hours from time to time 
  • There may be peak periods of work during which taking of leave may be restricted 

Key Responsibilities

Roles & Responsibilities  Details of responsibilities 
Laboratory Operations Management
  • Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing review of internal laboratory policies, ensuring consistent documentation and adherence to best laboratory practices. 
  • Take charge of the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, maintaining a high standard of compliance with established policies while seeking continuous improvement opportunities to optimize efficiency and quality.
Accreditation and Compliance
  • Maintain a systemized laboratory management system with efficient processes aligned with achieved accreditations, including the preparation and submission of necessary reports to accreditation bodies and regulatory agencies. 
  • Ensure that operational processes align with organizational requirements through the application of workflow processes, method validation, and performance verification procedures, while also implementing an effective system for document and record control.
Leadership and Staff Management
  • Provide effective leadership and guidance to all laboratory staff, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and management policies. Also, maintain up-to-date and organized training, staff induction, and other OHS records. 
  • Monitor and evaluate staff adherence to SOPs for ISO accreditation and quality standard maintenance. Proactively identify areas for improvement and implement necessary measures, including retraining when required, to enhance compliance.
Safety and Compliance 
  • Ensure a safe, secure, and healthy work environment by diligently overseeing compliance with safety protocols, managing laboratory risks, and adhering to all relevant legal regulations (Local and International). 
  • Follow and enforce RISE guidelines to guarantee a consistently safe and compliant work environment, fostering a culture of safety and well-being within the RISE laboratory.
Quality Assurance 
  • Lead the development and oversight of quality control processes to ensure precise, dependable, and consistent results in laboratory operations. 
  • Maintain the highest standards of data integrity, nurturing a culture of continuous improvement to achieve dependable outcomes throughout the laboratory. 
  • Serve as a vital resource during peak workloads or special projects, offering hands-on benchwork support in the laboratory to ensure seamless task execution while upholding the highest quality standards and meeting fluctuating demands.
Roles & Responsibilities  Details of responsibilities 
Platform Quality Management
  • Conduct regular internal audits to gauge the effectiveness of the quality management system, proactively identify non-conformities, and take swift corrective actions to drive continuous improvement. 
  • Proactively ensure adherence to activities required for auditing (accurate record-keeping, equipment maintenance, stock management, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) support requirements) and maintenance of laboratory ISO 9001 certification.
Record Keeping 
  • Maintain meticulous records of laboratory activities, quality metrics, and regulatory compliance documentation as per laboratory quality system requirements. 
  • Oversee, document, and manage laboratory non-conformances and preventive and corrective actions.
Procurement and Equipment Management
  • Manage consumables ordering, stock take, and inventory to maintain efficient supply levels, supporting the smooth operation of the laboratory to support RISE deliverables. 
  • Oversee monthly inventory updates and weekly equipment inspections, ensuring prompt assessment and repair of any damaged equipment as needed. 
  • Manage laboratory service contracts and maintenance and liaise with relevant technical service providers for validation and maintenance/calibration programs as applicable.
Communication and Collaboration
  • Establish clear and effective communication channels among laboratory staff, accreditation bodies, and stakeholders, showcasing exceptional skills in verbal and written communication. 
  • Foster and maintain productive working relationships with a network of colleagues and research collaborators, including active engagement with various RISE teams through regular meetings and email exchanges. 
  • Work closely with the RISE Assessment Project Manager Fiji and Monash Central Program Management team on project-appropriate needs.

 

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