FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions.
Responsibilities:
Provides overall technical leadership and strategic guidance to project staff for the laboratory and diagnostic services component of the project, including coordination with other global health security (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.
Requirements:
Master’s degree in microbiology or its international equivalent in biological sciences within a medical laboratory discipline or specialty.
Typically requires 6+ years of relevant experience working with infectious disease diagnostics and/or in laboratory systems strengthening.
Prior work experience with DOS-funded projects and familiarity with DOS regulations and reporting requirements, or other USG-funded projects and regulations, 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.
