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 [country]. S/He will lead and manage the development, Implementation, and monitoring of strategic and technical initiatives to strengthen laboratory systems and diagnostic capacities. S/He will provide technical guidance around the issues, challenges, and strategies for improving access to quality affecting the project. S/He will work closely with the project management, country-level teams, and key stakeholders to ensure the provision of effective, high-quality, and reliable laboratory services. S/he will lead the development of guidelines and policies for laboratory diagnostic network strengthening activities, and contribute to business development efforts, including supporting the management of opportunity identification, capture, and participation in technical thought leadership at the regional and country levels.

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

• Provides project staff with overall technical direction strategic leadership and guidance to the laboratory and diagnostics component of the project in coordination with other technical areas to ensure complementary and synergy.
• Supports technical aspects of projects including staff and partner capacity building.
• Coordinate and collaborate with local partners and counterparts, leading the development and implementation of capacity building and continuous improvement activities in collaboration with partners and stakeholders.
• Monitors and maintains project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials, and reports related to technical areas of expertise.
• Works in close collaboration with the national, regional, and local counterparts to provide technical assistance required to fulfill national objectives and targets, primarily related to strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic services. Develops or writes technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate research, best practices, policies, and procedures.
• Conducts analysis of project implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategy and guidelines.
• Provides technical expertise and support in the implementation of laboratory and diagnostic network strengthening activities (e.g., specimen referral, quality assurance laboratory information management system) in areas such as antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic disease, biosafety and biosecurity, national laboratory system, and surveillance. Provides mentorship and team building at the task level.
• Leads and contributes to research initiatives to improve laboratory practices and diagnostic outcomes. assessment findings.
• Provides technical support in the scale-up and optimization of new diagnostic tools
• Provides technical input on subject matter best practices to assist with implementation
• May create technical portion of the project plan, within the given resources and financial constraints.
• Assists with implementing components of the technical portions of the project plan
• Develops and monitors technical work plans and budgets.
• Participate in client/funder meetings and draft reports/presentations.
• Leads and contributes to research

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, partners, and stakeholders to align laboratory and diagnostic activities with overall project goals.
• Monitors project deliverables and reports to supervisors.
• Leads technical project activities and sub-activities and assists with project implementation.
• May implement components of the technical portions of the project plan.
• Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff.
• Functions as the technical lead with oversight of project technical administrative and finance compliance, technical deliverables, and team management, (includes projects and consultants).

Business Development and Client/Funder Support:

• Successfully leads new business development initiatives including project design, budgeting, and recruitment efforts.
• Provides final authorization and approval of the technical portions of project design, based on the design and direction set by technical leadership.
• Builds productive working relationships internally and externally by fostering partnerships with national and international organizations, government agencies, academia, and other relevant entities.
• Works with other project’s technical teams to develop work plans, presentations, and reports.
• Participate and represent FHI 360 in various business development. 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.
• Assists in the development of donor reports and presentations.
• Tracks technical project spending under broad supervision.
• Tracks Statement of Work (SOW) and budget tracking systems; provides reports to supervisors.
• Collects financial and technical tracking data; prepares reports.
• Coordinate with suppliers for procurements.

Project/Program Reporting:

• Prepares reports and papers summarizing project results and analyzing data sets and technical assessment findings.
• Establishes and maintains SOW and budget tracking systems.
• Drafts/prepares client technical reports.
• Creates technical content (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts).

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 client/funder and regulatory requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures while providing technical support for research studies.
• Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
• Broader knowledge of quality 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 and staff.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.
• 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 with selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.
• Decisions may cause delays and affect a work unit or area within a department.
• Identifies and raises issues with senior technical staff
• Networks with key internal and external personnel.
• Decision may cause delays or failure to achieve results that impact departmental goals.

Supervision Given/Received:

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