Country Laboratory and Diagnostics Specialist

Tags: Global Health mental health Law finance English Spanish language Environment
  • Added Date: Thursday, 02 October 2025
5 Steps to get a job in the United Nations

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Country Laboratory and Diagnostics Specialist

Job Profile: TECH31019 โ€“ Technical Officer III

Project: The STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity

Reports to: STRIDES Country Team Leader

Compensation band: LL

About FHI 360:

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 todayโ€™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 building laboratory capacity in [country] and improving access to quality diagnostic testing related to project activities. S/He 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.

Recommended for you