Office Assistant/Entomology Laboratory and Insectary Technician at Abt Associates

Abt Associates, a major American business and government research, technical assistance, and consulting company, manages the USAID-funded Vector Control Task Order 1. Task Order 1 supports the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control approach with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria. Abt has implemented indoor residual spraying (IRS) for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality IRS programs and gathering the most comprehensive vector control entomological data in the world. Under this contract, Abt will expand entomological monitoring to guide programs focused on insecticide-treated mosquito nets and IRS and continue to assist PMI in reducing the burden of malaria through IRS and capacity building in 22 African countries where malaria is endemic. Abt  will also continue to support PMI in IRS monitoring and evaluation, as well as environmental compliance.

Under the supervision of the Entomology coordinator, the Entomology Laboratory and Insectary Technician will be responsible for entomology laboratory activities and assist with insectary activities.

Specific duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Receive samples from the field and verify their condition and number including sorting and archiving
• Perform ELISA tests for detection of sporozoite in mosquitoes or source of blood meal
• Perform PCR to differentiate different species of mosquitoes or blood meal source
• Conduct WHO susceptibility and CDC bottle assay tests for evaluation of insecticide resistance
• Adhere to the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) for these activities  and maintain safe working standards in all laboratory procedures
• Assist with the maintenance of the mosquito colony in the insectary.
• Assist with the feeding of lab animals and the cleaning of the insectary.
• Keep inventory of all lab equipment and consumables.
• Ensure appropriate records are kept in the laboratory log books.
• Participate in other field activities as required.
• Perform any other duty assigned by the Entomology Coordinator or the Technical Manager.

Qualification requirements include the following:

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Bio-chemistry, Laboratory, Veterinary or other related health.
• Experience in a PCR laboratory for at least one year.
• Knowledge in computer skills (able to run programs such as Microsoft word, Excel).
• Good knowledge of English Language.
• Experience with laboratory animal rearing or veterinary work is an added advantage.

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