ICF seeks to hire a Biomarker Specialist for its USAID-funded Demographic and Health Surveys Program (DHS) in Rockville, Maryland. The DHS program assists low- and middle-income countries to implement household-based surveys in the areas of maternal and child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and nutrition and health facility assessment (Service Provision Assessment [SPA]) surveys, which are facility-based surveys designed to collect information on the preparedness of health facilities to provide quality services to clients. Please review The DHS Program website at www.dhsprogram.com to learn more about The DHS Program and the measurement of biomarkers in surveys.
The Biomarker Specialist will be responsible for providing technical guidance to The DHS Program on the measurement of biomarkers in household-based surveys (“core” activities) and for the management of biomarker measurement in surveys in individual countries together with DHS team members (“field” activities). This full-time position will be based in ICF’s Rockville, MD office in the Washington, DC metro area.
Key Responsibilities
Specific field duties and responsibilities of the Biomarker Specialist include but are not limited to:
- Training in-country trainers, field staff, and consultants on the following:
- Data collection tools, blood and other specimen collection procedures (e.g., dried blood spots and phlebotomy), cold chain logistics, and monitoring field work.
- The use and application of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and point-of-care devices for the measurement of anemia, HIV, malaria, hepatitis B, diabetes markers, blood pressure, sexually transmitted infections, etc.
- Anthropometry, including planning standardization exercises and serving as the gold-standard measurer during such exercises.
- Preparing manuals and other training documents and materials for use in specific surveys.
- Preparing detailed equipment and supplies lists for purchasing materials to support biomarker trainings and field work
- Contributing to the development, review, and piloting of new training materials, manuals, mixed media training approaches, and virtual instructor led trainings.
- Creatively contributing on ways to expand the DHS Program’s biomarker portfolio including through literature reviews, partner engagement, and outreach to academic researchers.
- Developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to new biomarker tests and/or that enhance data quality of existing biomarkers.
- Participating in other DHS Program activities, e.g., assisting in developing questionnaires and modules, preparing/revising core manuals and training materials, preparing/reviewing select sections of DHS reports, making presentations to USAID and other stakeholders, working with management on client deliverables as needed.
The Biomarker Specialist position requires up to 35% travel to countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Trips are typically between 2-4 weeks duration. A successful biomarker specialist will be able to train in person or remotely and demonstrate a high level of flexibility in performing all other responsibilities of the position.
Required Qualifications:
- A master’s degree or higher in nursing, a biomedical science, or related degree
- 5+ years experience in field-based data collection, training of data collectors, survey implementation, or the development of standard operating procedures (SOP) related to anthropometry, specimen collection, or biomarker tests.
Required Skills:
- Familiarity with field-friendly specimen collection techniques.
- Excellent technical writing skills including the ability to write clear and concise reports for internal and external audiences.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team or independently.
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and deliverables.
- Comfortable working in the full suite of Microsoft 365 products.
- Experience with virtual platforms and mixed media presentations.
- Fluency in English.
Preferred Skills:
- Fluency in French, Portuguese, Arabic, or Swahili.
- Experience working with low- and middle-income country institutions. Familiarity with techniques for child anthropometry strongly preferred.
- Experience in phlebotomy.
- Experience teaching or training adults.
Working at ICF
ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.
We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building an inclusive workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to hiring regardless of any protected characteristic, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status, or military/veteran status. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO & AA policy.
Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please email [email protected] and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Read more here: Requesting an Accommodation for the ICF interview process.
Read more about workplace discrimination rights, the Pay Transparency Statement, or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.
Candidate AI Usage Policy
At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair and equitable interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.
However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodations that involve the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [email protected]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.
The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:
$80,743.00 - $137,263.00
Rockville, MD (MD18)
What We Do
ICF is a global advisory and technology services company with approximately 9,000 employees in industries across the public and private sectors. For over 50 years, we’ve been helping clients take on some of the world’s most complex challenges to produce exceptional results. Our work is the catalyst to help shape the future for all.
Beyond our purpose-driven work, we invest in our employees and their experience with us. We have numerous options for healthcare and many additional benefits, including immediate access to 401k retirement matching and pet insurance. Our Employee Community Networks help members find support, belonging, and growth by enhancing internal networks and professional development. We offer paid volunteer time and match your donations. As learning is a never-ending journey, we offer tuition reimbursement, mentorship programs, communities of practice to contribute to and grow from, and memberships to LinkedIn Learning and Coursera. We aim to consider every aspect of how to invest in people so they can belong, grow, and thrive with us.
Why Work With Us
At ICF, we are a purpose-driven company with a strong culture and underlying values that prize diversity, opportunity, equality, and respect. We are not all the same. And that has always been our greatest strength. We are at our best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do th
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