Introduction

The Fleming Fund (FF) is a U.K. Department of Health and Social Care programme to help low- and middle-income countries fight Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). AMR poses a severe global threat, expected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050. With potential costs reaching $100 trillion, its impact on the global economy is significant. Fleming Fund Grants aim to tackle the AMR challenge in developing countries including Pakistan. The grants are funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care and managed by Mott MacDonald for the country, regional and fellowship grants. Pakistan has received Fleming Fund support since 2019 in the form of two Country Grants, 9 Fellowships, and central and local procurement of equipment, reagents, and consumables. Between 2017 and the end of phase-1 of the program in March 2023, the program has provided financial support to grantees to establish and support local development of national AMR surveillance systems.

In partnership with the Fleming Fund, DAI's programme in Pakistan collaborates with the Pakistani government to strengthen systems using a “One Health” approach – a multisectoral approach to complex health problems that reaches across human health, animal health, and environment sectors. As global leaders in One Health, the DAI team helps incorporate One Health across programme interventions. DAI is helping Pakistan become a leader in combating antimicrobial resistance, and a model for better management of antimicrobials in human and animal populations. DAI and its consortium partnershave successfully secured an additional round, Phase 2, of the Fleming Fund Country Grant in Pakistan which spans from January 2024 to December 2025. The Phase 2 of the FFCG programme focuses on achieving four intermediate outcomes: 1) Production of quality AMR/U/C and burden of disease data; 2) Conducting quality data analysis; 3) Sharing quality data analysis with decision-makers; and 4) Contributing to sustainable investments at both the country and global levels to counter AMR.

Position Summary

Fleming Fund CG requires an ISO certification expert to implement activity sites assessed for ISO 15189 preparedness.

Major Responsibilities

• To assist designated hospitals in meeting the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification 15189 requirements to enhance overall quality and safety in hospital operations.
• In collaboration with concerned institutions, conduct comprehensive assessments to identify gaps between current practices and ISO 15189 standards.
• Develop a detailed action plan to address gaps and achieve certification requirements.
• Develop training needs assessment for selected hospitals specifically for ISO certification to be shared with the country office for training material development.
• Provide on-spot orientations and, if required, join dedicated training sessions being arranged for hospital staff on ISO standards, focusing on areas crucial to certification
• Develop and deliver customised training materials tailored to each hospital's needs.
• Assist hospitals in developing and implementing necessary documentation systems that comply with ISO requirements.
• Guide hospitals in setting up continuous quality improvement processes that are compliant with ISO standards.
• Conduct pre-certification audits to meet all standards before the official ISO audit.
• Provide detailed feedback and recommendations post-audit to ensure any non-compliance issues are resolved.
• Attend in-person and virtual meetings arranged by country/regional office wherever and whenever required and provide verbal and/or presentation format feedback whenever needed.
• Facilitate coordination between the institute and PNAC for ISO Certification audit protocols.
• Travel to the other sites as and when required.
• Any other activity assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Skills, Languages etc.)

• Bachelor’s in clinical microbiology/medical laboratory technology/total quality management with ISO Certifications. Candidates with post-graduation qualifications in Quality Management or Laboratory training programs having certified ISO Lead Assessor Training courses will be preferred.
• Minimum five years of proven experience as a quality manager or microbiology laboratory specialist in a diagnostic laboratory.
• Out of five years of experience, at least one year in ISO certification for a microbiology laboratory setting is essential at one or two sites in Pakistan or abroad.
• Good written and spoken English.
• Preference will be given to speakers fluent in the assigned area's local language.