ThaiNGO

Job Summary  

We are seeking a Biosafety/Biosecurity (BSBS) Technical Advisor to work for the USAID-funded Discovery and Exploration of Emerging Pathogens – Viral Zoonoses (DEEP VZN) project. DEEP VZN is a five-year project that will build scientific capacity in partner countries to safely detect and characterize unknown viruses which have the potential to spill over from wildlife and domestic animals to human populations. With up to twelve (12) countries, the project will carry out large-scale animal surveillance programs focusing on finding previously unknown pathogens from three viral families that have a large potential for viral spillover from animals to humans: coronaviruses, the family that includes SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19; filoviruses, such as the Ebola virus; and paramyxoviruses which includes the viruses that cause measles and Nipah. 

The BSBS Coordinator is responsible for ensuring initial and on-going compliance with the DEEP VZN project’s overall BSBS policy/procedures and BSBS plan (BSBSP) in Thailand. The selected candidate will provide expert technical consultation and is responsible for developing, implementing, coordinating, and maintaining a comprehensive biosafety, biocontainment, and biosecurity management/improvement plan at the country level.

Responsibilities include

• Advise all in country personnel and management (including implementing partner staff) on BSBS issues and concerns
• Manage all biosafety, biosecurity, and technical consultations with appropriate DEEP VZN and USAID entities.
• Ensure risk assessments and authorizations for work in both laboratory and field settings are in place and appropriate
• Provide technical assistance to the project in areas related to BSBS, including developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and/or delivering BSBS training activities for both laboratory and field staff
• Serve as the country representative for the project in BSBS stakeholder meetings, conferences, etc., subsequentially contributing to project BSBS dissemination
• Conduct and/or lead periodic internal laboratory inspections, audits, and assessments (local in-country)
• Develop and respond to periodic external laboratory inspections, audits, and assessments (conducted by auditors external to DEEP VZN)
• Review and approve local protocols for field biosafety for sampling activities and teams
• Lead the reporting, investigating, and follow-up on BSBS incidents with appropriate corrective actions, including monitoring for effectiveness
• Develop and maintain the in-country BSBS manual and SOPs related to BSBS and the DEEP VZN waste management plan (WMP)
• Coordinate activities including training, screening, and follow up of exposure incidents with the in-country employee health coordinator
• Promote and monitor compliance with legislative or regulatory requirements
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field, (biology, epidemiology, public health, health security, etc.)  
• At least eight years of training/experience in biological safety/biosecurity principles
• Understanding of infectious diseases, their transmission, and the application of methods to safety control infectious materials
• Detailed knowledge of regulatory guideline and standards impacting work with, and security of, infectious materials
• Knowledge of pathogenic microbiology, immune responses of hosts, and other concepts of infectious disease transmission to understand and apply safeguards to work with and secure biohazardous materials
• Demonstrated experience in biological safety/biosecurity program implementation including the development, training, and auditing of biological safety /biosecurity practices
• Excellent written and spoken English and Thai   
• Strong writing skills: demonstrated experience writing reports for USAID or other international donors and/or scientific publications preferred 
• Must have legal authorization to work in Thailand

Travel Requirements:

• Up to 30% national and/or international travel

To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume by clicking HERE.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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