Laboratory and Diagnostics Specialist

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing – creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

Job Summary:

The Laboratory and Diagnostics Specialist will provide technical leadership and guidance to support the staff and projects for the anticipated USAID-funded Global Health Security project for the laboratory and diagnostic components in Cameroon. They will lead and manage the development, implementation, and monitoring of strategic and technical initiatives to strengthen laboratory systems and diagnostic capacities. They will provide technical guidance around the issues, challenges, and strategies for building laboratory capacity in [country] and improving access to quality diagnostic testing related to project activities. They will work closely with country-level teams, including the project management team, project technical providers, and key stakeholders to ensure the provision of technical assistance to achieve effective, high-quality, and reliable laboratory services. S/he will lead the development of guidelines and policies for laboratory diagnostic network strengthening activities, provide technical thought leadership at the regional and country levels, and contribute to the development of project statements of work, work plan development, monitoring and evaluation systems, technical reporting, and other administrative elements of the project.

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

• Provides overall technical leadership and strategic guidance to project staff for the laboratory and diagnostic services component of the project including coordination with other GHS technical areas (e.g., surveillance, data, etc.) to ensure synergy.
• Monitors and maintains project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials, and reports related to diagnostic services and laboratory technical areas.
• Works in close collaboration with national, regional, and local counterparts to provide technical assistance required to fulfill project objectives and targets, primarily related to strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic services.
• Leads or contributes to the development and writing of technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate research, best practices, policies, and procedures.
• Provides subject matter expertise to guide the implementation of laboratory and diagnostic network strengthening activities (e.g., specimen referral, quality assurance, laboratory information management system, training, etc.) across relevant GHS technical areas including antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic diseases, biosafety/biosecurity, diagnostic networks, and surveillance.
• Provides technical support in the scale-up and optimization of new diagnostic tools.
• Provides mentorship to support capacity building for project team members and subcontractors.
• Leads or assists with diagnostic network and laboratory capacity assessments including the reporting of findings and recommendations.
• Contributes to research initiatives to improve laboratory practices and diagnostic outcomes.

Project Design/Implementation:

• Promotes adopting and integrating new diagnostic technologies, tools, and methodologies based on the country’s needs and priorities for project implementation.
• Works closely with country team project management, subcontractors, and stakeholders to align laboratory and diagnostic activities with overall project goals.
• Develops and monitors implementation of technical components of project work plans, along with associated budgets and resources, with a focus on project activities and sub-activities related laboratory and diagnostic-related components.
• Conducts analysis of project implementation to identify areas for improvement and proposes appropriate technical strategies to manage risks, overcome barriers, and advance project objectives.
• Monitors project activities, results, and deliverables and identifies and raises issues to management.

Client/Funder Support:

• Builds productive working relationships internally and externally by fostering collaboration with national and international organizations, government agencies, academia, and other relevant entities.
• Assists with the preparation and drafting of work plans, presentations, and reports for the USAID and other key stakeholders.
• Participate and represents the project in meetings and forums as required.

Operations Management (Finance, HR, etc.):

• Ensures project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing project implementation.
• Oversees project timelines and budgets. This includes monitoring of project activities to ensure they are on track with approved work plans, the spending on technical scope under broad supervision, and the collection of data for financial and technical reporting.
• Monitors project activities, results, and deliverables and regularly reports to management.
• Manages procurement as needed, coordinating with USAID and suppliers.

Project/Program Reporting:

• Prepares reports and papers summarizing project results and analysis of data sets including technical assessment findings.
• Establishes and maintains SOW and budget tracking systems.
• Creates technical content (e.g., summary reports, presentations, manuscripts) related to project activities, results, and outcomes.

Quality Assurance:

• Develops in-depth knowledge of quality standards through a formalized system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives.
• Coordinates and directs activities to meet donor and regulatory requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of laboratory and diagnostic-related concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Experience developing scopes of work with deliverables for subcontractors, consultants, etc.
• Broad knowledge of laboratory-related quality assurance and biosafety/biosecurity standards.
• Proficiency with database management software and online search tools required.
• Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
• Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients, partners, and staff.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with others.
• Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
• Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require a review of various factors.
• Exercises good judgment selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.
• Identifies and raises issues with management.
• Networks with key internal and external personnel.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Serves as technical lead for diagnostics and may mentor other lower-level personnel.
• May supervise junior-level staff.
• Reports to Team Lead.

Education:

• Master’s degree in microbiology or its international equivalent in biological sciences within a clinical or diagnostic discipline or specialty.
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience:

• Typically requires 6+ years of relevant experience working with infectious disease diagnostics and/or in laboratory systems strengthening.
• Prior work experience with USAID-funded projects and familiarity with USAID regulations and reporting requirements is preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of laboratory practices, diagnostic techniques, quality assurance systems, and laboratory information management systems in human, veterinary, and/or environmental health sectors.
• Knowledge and understanding of infectious diseases, their transmission, and the application of methods and procedures to safely control infectious materials.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and manage laboratory strengthening initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity-building activities such as training and mentoring laboratory personnel.
• Proven experience working with government agencies is highly desirable to support strategy development, implementation plans, and decision-making.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in English and French languages are required

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screens and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

• Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• Up to 40% local and regional travel