JOB DESCRIPTION
Title : Laboratory and Diagnostics Specialist
Report To : Country Project Lead, STRIDES
Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh
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, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketingโcreating a unique mix of capabilities to address todayโs interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries and all US states and territories.
FHI 360 has worked in Bangladesh for more than 45 years. Since 1975, we have taken a comprehensive approach to help transform the countryโs health and development landscape. Leveraging a blend of global expertise and local insights, we have consistently strengthened community capacities, enhanced systems, and reinforced institutional frameworks for a sustainable impact. In partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 Bangladesh delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health servicesโincluding HIV and nutrition, tuberculosis, global health security, and economic participation.
The U.S. governmentโs (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) program provides life-saving assistance to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats which pose risks for public health outbreaks that could cost lives. As part of the USGโs GHS program, the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity advances cross-sectoral efforts to successfully identify, manage, and respond to infectious disease threats; detect and prevent further outbreaks; and instill confidence and trust in a countryโs disease detection and surveillance structures and services.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Sr. Laboratory and Diagnostics Officer provides technical guidance around the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activityโs laboratory/diagnostic strategy to support implementation. They will provide technical support to STRIDES in-country staff, including supporting technical requirements in workplan design and quality assurance. The STRIDES Sr. Laboratory and Diagnostic Officer implements and monitors strategic and technical initiatives and contributes expertise through the development and management of reports and technical materials. Working closely with the Laboratory and Diagnostic Advisor and in-country and Headquarter (HQ) STRIDES teams, they support implementation by evaluating programmatic effectiveness, overseeing technical aspects, and providing technical assessment reports.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Requirements:
- Provides STRIDES day-to-day technical implementation support for laboratory and diagnostic strengthening activities, including mentoring laboratory staff, supporting adherence to protocols, and ensuring activities align with approved workplans and guidance from the Laboratory and Diagnostic Advisor.
- Supports STRIDES technical aspects, including staff and partner capacity building, mentorship, and team building for in-country laboratory and diagnostic teams.
- Implements, monitors, and updates laboratory protocols, SOPs, and training materials, and supports laboratories to apply quality improvement actions based on routine supervision and performance findings.
- Works closely with the Senior Laboratory and Diagnostics Advisor and in-country teams to ensure project implementation remains technically sound and adheres to STRIDES strategy and standard operating procedures.
- Contributes to the development and writing of technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate assessments, best practices, policies, and procedures.
- Conducts analysis of STRIDES in-country implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategies and guidelines.
- Assists with the implementation of research studies by providing technical support and overall management to ensure coordination and field-level implementation, and collaborates with the STRIDES monitoring, evaluation and research team to interpret data sets and assessment findings.
- Contributes to research initiatives to improve laboratory practices and diagnostic outcomes.
Project Implementation:
- Implements laboratory and diagnostic strategies and tools developed under the guidance of the Laboratory and Diagnostic Advisor, and adapts implementation approaches based on site-level findings and operational constraints.
- Assists in-country teams with implementing and monitoring STRIDES laboratory and diagnostics-focused activities, and supports development and tracking against workplans and budgets.
- Supports laboratory data quality and completeness, including review of laboratory registers, reports, and outputs to ensure diagnostic data are accurate, timely, and suitable for integration into national reporting systems.
- Monitors in-country STRIDES deliverables and reports to supervisors and identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff.
- Supports implementation of technical support, diagnostic network and facility strengthening, and quality improvement interventions in line with Joint External Evaluation (JEE) reports, States Parties Self-Assessment Annual Reports (SPAR), country national action plans, and other assessments.
Client 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 DOS and other key stakeholders.
- Participate and represent the project in meetings and forums as required.
Operations Management:
- Ensures STRIDES laboratory/diagnostic activities are on track with approved workplans and that technical expertise and best practices inform project implementation.
- Oversees in-country STRIDES timelines and budgets for laboratory/diagnostic activities.
- Tracks in-country technical project spend and Statements of Work and budget tracking systems, providing reports to supervisor.
- Represents the project in donor meetings.
Project/Program Reporting:
- Prepares reports and papers summarizing STRIDES results and analyzing data sets, including drafting laboratory/diagnostic sections of technical reports for donors.
- Creates other technical content (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts) as requested.
Quality Assurance:
- Develops in-depth knowledge of laboratory/diagnostic quality standards through formalized system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives.
- Coordinates and directs activities to meet donor and regulatory requirements.
- Stays up-to-date on innovations in diagnostics and laboratory strengthening approaches and ensures new knowledge/evidence and best practices are shared with STRIDES teams, partners, and host countries, and applied as appropriate.
Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:
- In-depth knowledge of infectious disease diagnostics and applied knowledge of providing technical support for field implementation, research studies, and project management.
- Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
- Broader knowledge of laboratory/diagnostic quality standards.
- Proficiency with database management software and on-line search tools required.
- Sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and technical issues in assigned countries and regions.
- 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 and Bangla.
- 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 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 to senior technical staff.
- Networks with key internal and external personnel.
Supervision Given/Received:
- Determines methods and procedures on new projects and assignments.
- Serves as laboratory/diagnostics team lead to STRIDES country programs and may mentor in-country personnel.
- Reports to the Laboratory/Diagnostics Advisor.
Requirements:
- Masterโs Degree or International Equivalent in Knowledge/Information Services, Health, Human Development, Microbiology, Clinical Diagnostics or a Related Field.
- Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.
- Typically requires 6+ years of relevant experience managing data collection and technical assistance experience.
- Proven knowledge and experience in the diagnosis of infectious diseases.
- Knowledge and experience with strengthening laboratories to achieve international quality standards.
- Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization.
- Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the ethical issues surrounding research and surveillance.
- Proactive in managing multiple tasks, managing, and working in the virtual work environment, and flexible and open to managing time for working with different teams in different time zones as needed.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication, team building and management, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent oral and written English and Bangla including documentation skills.
Typical Physical Demands:
- Typical office environment.
- Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
- Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
- Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.
Technology to be Used:
- Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.
Travel Requirements:
- 10%-25%
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicantsโ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicantโs tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.
FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.
FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others โ and yourself.Please click here to continue searching FHI 360's Career Portal.
- 10%-25%
- Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.