Laboratory Technician Full Time

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working with WWF could be the opportunity of a lifetime:

All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing realization that nature is our life-support system. And that nobody will be spared from the impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping to tackle this enormous global challenge.

Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from HR and finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us create a better future for people and nature.

What we do:

We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable. WWF Network has moved to the development and the implementation of 9 Practices with Global Goals to be achieved.

For WWF CCO, we are looking for a dynamic and committed Laboratory Technician.

Reports to: One Health Program & Wildlife Veterinary Coordinator

Supervises:Visiting researchers and intern work in the WildLab

Location: Campo

Duration: Two (02) years

The mission of the department

The position aims to ensure that functioning ot the Campo WildLab is implemented, following the highest standards, in line with the WWF Cameroon One Health & Conservation Strategies. In partnership with local, national and regional health institutes and local civil society actors as well as in collaboration with the Helmholtz Institute for “One Health” in Greifswald -Germany, the programme aims to improve human and animal health in potential outbreak hotspots in Cameroon. To aid in the rapid detection and early warning of dangerous zoonotic pathogens and mitigate infectious disease outbreaks, this programme will provide on-site human medical and wildlife veterinary health monitoring services at the WWF partnered ecotourism site in Campo Ma’an and strengthen the capacity of local actors. The program will monitor the health of (a) those who work directly and indirectly in ecotourism and conservation, and (b) habituated and unhabituated wildlife in the Campo Ma’an National Park (CMNP) and its surrounding areas. This ‘One Health’ approach will contribute to improve human health and welfare and diminish the disease transmission risks between humans and wildlife. Such a human-wildlife interconnected approach is necessary, not only to protect the lives of humans and animals, but also improve biodiversity and the integrity of ecosystems, which is imperative for sustaining the livelihoods of local communities.

Major Functions

The Laboratory Technician will assist the Coordinator of the One Health Program to manage the WildLab and monitor the health of wildlife, domestic animals, people and the environment using virology, microbiology, molecular diagnostic protocols which play a crucial role in supporting the diagnosis, research. He/she will also be responsible for maintenance of laboratory all “One Health” field equipment at his/her disposition for executing field activities.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

He/She will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities within Campo WildLab under the supervision of the WildLab manager to support the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases through:

• Reception of samples and processing:

He/ She will collect biological specimens, such as blood, urine, tissues, feces, phlegm, food wedge, hairs and other bodily fluids… arriving from the field, properly decontaminate using appropriate protocols and labeling of the samples.

He/she will prepare specimens for analysis by centrifuging, aliquoting, and labeling them accurately to maintain sample integrity and traceability.

• Laboratory Testing:

He/ she will perform a wide range of routine laboratory tests using automated analyzers and manual techniques. These tests may include hematological, biochemical, microbiological, immunological, and molecular assays to detect abnormalities and disease markers in samples from people, wildlife, domestic animals and the environment.

• Molecular Biology Tasks:

He/She will carry out DNA/RNA extraction and purification: Isolate and purify nucleic acids from various samples, such as blood, tissue, or environmental samples.

• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) setup and analysis:

He/She will prepare and run PCR reactions to amplify specific DNA sequences and analyze the results using techniques like gel electrophoresis or real-time PCR.

– Carry out sequencing and genotyping:

He/She will Perform DNA sequencing and genotyping to identify genetic variations, mutations, or pathogens.

He/She will carry out molecular diagnostics: Conduct molecular tests on samples from wildlife, domestic animals, people and environment to detect and identify infectious agents, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

• Bacteriology / Parasitology Tasks

Sample processing and culturing:

He /she will process and culture bacterial samples from various sources, such as clinical specimens, environmental samples, or food products.

Bacterial / Parasite identification:

He/she will identify bacteria using various techniques, including Gram staining, biochemical tests, coproscopy and molecular methods;

He/she may carryout antimicrobial susceptibility testing: Perform tests to determine the susceptibility of bacteria to various antibiotics.

He/she may carryout bacterial / parasite enumeration and quantification: Count and quantify bacterial populations in samples using techniques like plate counting or fluorescence microscopy.

• Quality Control and Assurance

He/She will adhere to quality control and assurance procedures to ensure the accuracy, precision, and reliability of the Campo WildLab test results.

He/She will perform regular calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of WildLab equipment and instrumentation to maintain optimal performance.

• Material and equipment inventory, Data Entry and Record Keeping:

He/She will carry out regular material and equipment stock taking, record test results, observations, and other pertinent information accurately in laboratory information systems (LIS), electronic medical records (EMR), electrophoresis etc. and maintain detailed data/ records from specimens, test requests, and laboratory procedures for documentation and traceability purposes.

• Communication and Collaboration:

He/She will communicate effectively with WildLab manager and other members of research team to relay test results, discuss sample requirements, and resolve any issues or discrepancies.

He/she will collaborate with WWF One Health team to interpret test results and provide timely and accurate information for appropriate incorporation into disease early warning system.

• Compliance and Safety:

He/she will adhere to regulatory requirements, safety protocols, and infection control procedures to ensure laboratory biosecurity and biosafety by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and handle hazardous materials and biohazardous waste according to established guidelines.

• Continuing Education:

He/She will participate in ongoing training, continuing education programs, and professional development activities to stay updated on new laboratory techniques, technologies, and best practices.

He/She will strive to enhance his/her knowledge and skills to provide high-quality laboratory services and contribute to the advancement of the profession.

Participate on a daily basis in the implementation of the bio-monitoring strategy developed for Campo Ma’an National Park and its periphery (collect samples from seized bush, hunters etc.) in collaboration with park rangers

• Assist in the Employee Health Program;
• Produce concise and well written laboratory reports on a regular basis.

Profile:

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum a bachelor’s degree, an engineering degree or High National Diploma in one or more of the following fields: Public Health, Epidemiology, Wildlife Biology, Veterinary Science, Microbiology, Virology, Science in Medicine, Medical Technology and Ecosystem Health, or any other related specialization;
• Minimum of 02 years Laboratory experience in one or more of the following domains: people, wildlife and domestic animal health monitoring, Health Ecology, ecosystem health monitoring or related fields
• Courage working with potentially dangerous samples;
• Strong vocation interest in Public Health, Epidemiology, Ecosystem Health and Nature Conservation.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• General knowledge of human environment in Cameroon is an asset;
• Fluency in French and English,
• Willingness and ability to work in a remote area with low supervision.
• Good overview of the legal and institutional framework in diagnostic laboratory management in Cameroon;
• Computer literate, demonstrated knowledge of word processing;
• Proven skills in statistics and data analysis (Excel, other relevant softwares);
• Ability to manage databases; experience managing files on Google Drive;
• Knowledge of tropical communicable diseases of humans and animals.

WWF’s Values & Behaviors:

• Able to demonstrate WWF behaviors in ways of working: strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly.
• Aligns and identifies with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration.

Working relationships:

• Internal

Works closely with field Ecological monitoring Intern/Volunteer, game rangers.

• External: n/a

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.

Tagged as: Cameroon, World Wide Fund For Nature