IRCS/AmCross positions: Global AIDS Program - Blood Safety Specialists (2)

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TERMS OF REFERENCE: TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS - BLOOD SAFETY.

GLOBAL AIDS PROGRAM (GAP)

Implemented by Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Supported by American Red Cross

(AmCross)

Background

The Indian Red Cross Society has begun implementation of HIV/AIDS activities

through the Global AIDS Program, funded through a cooperative agreement between

the American Red Cross and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Activities for the IRCS Global AIDS Program include:

a.. Blood safety at IRCS blood banks

b.. Prevention of HIV/AIDS, with special focus on youth

c.. Home-based care

d.. Capacity building of IRCS

The initial focus of the program is on blood safety.

The Indian Red Cross Society has maintained a strong reputation in blood

banking. IRCS is well known in the fields of voluntary donor recruitment, blood

collection, processing and issue at locations across India. The HIV epidemic has

focused concerns about blood safety and IRCS is working to improve blood safety

in its blood banks.

The goal of the IRCS GAP blood safety project is to reduce

transfusion-associated HIV transmission through improvements to blood safety at

the IRCS level. This work will concentrate on developing the capacity of IRCS

blood banks through the recruitment and retention of low-risk voluntary donors,

improving the quality of blood processing, and promoting good transfusion

practice. One of the first key elements of the blood safety project will be

training for technical staff.

We wish to recruit two technical specialists in blood safety. The first post

will be concerned primarily with the 'science' of blood safety, and we would

expect to recruit a person with medical or technical experience in transfusion

medicine/blood banking. The second post will be concerned primarily with

strategies for voluntary donor recruitment, and we anticipate recruiting someone

with a background in donor motivation or with similar relevant experience.

Job title

Technical Specialist, Blood Safety (2 positions)

Grade/Salary: To be negotiated based on experience

Job Summary

The post-holders will be based at the GAP Office, located in the IRCS

Headquarters compound, New Delhi, with frequent travel to IRCS blood banks

throughout India.

As employees of IRCS, the post-holders will be responsible for liaison,

communication and assisting with implementation of the blood safety component of

the GAP Project in India. The work will involve close collaboration with the

AmCross HIV/AIDS Delegate, and the IRCS/ARC National Society Program

Counterpart.

Principal Responsibilities

a.. Review and edit technical procedures and training plans to meet federal,

state and local requirements

b.. Assist in training sessions for technical staff

c.. Contribute to the analysis, interpretation and reporting of baseline

assessment data

d.. Assist in the development of logframes, workplans, and timelines for the

blood safety component of the Global AIDS Program

e.. Help develop a network of regional level counterparts for implementation

of the project at the state and district level

f.. Assist in the development and implementation of training programmes for

blood bank officers and technicians

g.. Participate in the development and implementation of standard operating

procedures for the HIV testing process

h.. Explore mechanisms to prevent HIV reactive donors from donating blood in

the future

i.. Contribute to protocols for the selection of low-risk voluntary blood

donors

j.. Assist in the development of strategies to promote good transfusion

practice

k.. Develop other aspects of the blood safety component of the GAP project,

including development of IRCS State and District level mechanisms for monitoring

the planned work, and collation of information on blood banking activities,

particularly on 'best practice' both globally and within India, and the

development of a 'resource library'

Qualifications and Experience: Essential

a.. Minimum two years experience working in a blood bank as a Medical Officer,

Senior Technician or Donor Motivator

b.. Operational knowledge of blood bank functions and understanding of

regulatory requirements

c.. Recognized training capacity in transfusion medicine or donor motivation

d.. Demonstrated superior verbal and written skills

e.. Fluency in English (verbal and written)

Desirable

a.. Degree in laboratory/clinical field or social work/counselling

b.. Experience in training and training programmes

c.. An understanding of the Indian Red Cross and its infrastructure

d.. Computer literacy - word processing, spreadsheets, internet and email

e.. Capacity-building/institutional development

f.. An understanding of the HIV epidemic and its impact in India

Interested candidates for positions described above should submit a detailed CV

within 10 days stating current salary drawn and expected salary, and giving

details of three references to:

Manju Verma, Program Assistant

Global AIDS Project

American Red Cross

1, Red Cross Road

New Delhi 110001

email: mverma@...

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