Laboratory Technician - WASCAL

WASCAL is a research and education-focused institute designed to provide knowledge and climate services that should help tackle the climate change challenge and thereby enhance the resilience of human and environmental systems.

It does so by strengthening the research capacity and infrastructure in West Africa related to climate change by pooling the expertise of ten West African countries and Germany. The West African countries include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d‘Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.

Job Description

The hybrid waste to energy as a sustainable solution for Ghana is an applied science project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research from Germany and supported by the Ministry of Environment Science and Technology Innovation, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to develop solutions for the energetic valorization of municipal solid waste in Ghana.

As a part of the project a pilot hybrid 400 kW demonstration waste to energy power plant has been constructed. The plant will start operations in February 2021 and will require capable Ghanaians with the necessary skill set to operate the facility. The West African Science Service Center for Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) would like to use part of its budgetary allocation to support the recruitment and employment of the following position until the end of the project funding phase.

Employees will have the opportunity to continue working under the plant management body based on their performance after the funding phase. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate against, sex, religion, race, ethnicity, etc.

Job summary

The laboratory technician will be responsible for operating the plant laboratories

Responsibilities

• Carry out basic analytical laboratory operations
• Manage the plants laboratory
• Analyze samples of the plant products
• Manage the quality standards of products from the plant
• Conduct regular key inventories and maintain appropriate records in the laboratory
• Keep detailed records of all samples tested in the laboratory
• Convert and operate the laboratory according to ISO standards
• Maintain laboratory equipment and inventory of all chemicals and equipment in the laboratory
• Develop standard operating procedures and ensure that the lab protocols are followed
• To ensure the maintenance of an attractive and safe working environment
• To ensure that the laboratory always remains compliant with relevant statutory responsibilities.
• Report directly to the plant engineer
• To liaise with external bodies as appropriate (Environmental protection agency, the Ghana standards boards, etc)
• Make presentations to visitors and participate in training programmes organized by the company
• Should be flexible in working plans and be ready for working overtime when the need arises.
• Should be available all the time based on emergency requirements even on weekends
• Has to report everyday activities to the board, managing director and the project coordinator
• Make the laboratory also a standardized laboratory under the Ghana Standardization Authority
• Must enhance the business cases by getting contracts for analysis from various companies and universities
• Must help publish scientific results and support the team with results on time
• Must report his/her daily activities to the plant Engineer
• Operational efficiency
• To develop and lead plans for ensuring that the laboratory uses resources in an efficient and sustainable manner including energy and water.
• Has to develop in such a way that the laboratory can sustain on itself due to the active acquirement of contracts with other companies and universities including research projects

Required Skills or Experience

• A degree or equivalent in Engineering (Environmental/Chemical/Civil/), Chemistry or other relevant degree level qualification
• Minimum 2 years’ experience of working in a similar position within a medium to large organization, including line management responsibility for a multi skilled team.
• Experience working in an ISO compliant laboratory
• A working knowledge of Occupational health and Safety
• Ability to work in compliance with OHSE and EMS policies
• A good knowledge of IT

Job Description/Requirements

• Minimum qualification: BSc/BTech/HND. in the following subject areas; Mechanical Engineering, plant engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering/material engineering
• Experience Length: minimum 3 years