LABORATORY SPECIALIST

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law.  We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Role description

The Laboratory Technician (LT) is a member of the ICRC hospital team who works in ICRC assisted or independent hospital settings in often limited resources and challenging security environments. The LT evaluates the laboratory infrastructure and identifies any additional needs in terms of materials and equipment. The LT develops the local capacity and provides the staff with training to ensure quality laboratory services.

The laboratory technician ensures laboratory analysis according to recognized standards, participates in the organization and management of the laboratory and blood transfusion services, in close collaboration with the ICRC hospital team and the local counterparts.

Responsabilities

• Ensures adequate functioning and development of the laboratory and safe blood transfusion services, including implementation of quality control measures.
• Supports and trains local laboratory technicians and ensures that procedures and national/international standards for laboratory tests are implemented and respected.
• During sampling and handling, ensures optimum safety measures for local staff, patients and donors, provides and promotes strict hygiene precautions.
• Ensures the provision of sufficient and adequate medical material and equipment

Desired profile and skills

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment
• Bachelor/Diploma of Laboratory Technician or equivalent training of minimum three years, with five years’ experience in this field of activity
• Registered Laboratory Technician with a valid licence to practice in his/her country of residence
• Significant experience in a general hospital settings, in particular blood transfusion services.
• Excellent command of French and English (verbal and written)

Your assets

• Sensitivity to cultural diversity.
• Positive, flexible and able to adapt him/herself to harsh living conditions and/or an unstable security environment.
• Previous international humanitarian and/or development experience in low income countries (NGO’s, IO or charity organization)
• Previous experience(s) within the Red Cross & Red Crescent movement

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field 
• Candidates must possess a driving licence (for manual transmission vehicles)
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for a total of 24 months.

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• Generous social benefits
• Length of assignment: 3 to 12 months
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere