Laboratory and Diagnostic Officer
FHI 360
About FHI360
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, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing - creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges.
Job Summary
The Laboratory and Diagnostics Officer will provide technical and operational support to the STRengthening Infectious Disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity for laboratory and diagnostic components in Guatemala. S/He will assist with the implementation and monitoring of project activities aimed at strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic capacities.
S/He will support the provision of technical assistance related to laboratory capacity building, biosafety, and biosecurity, under the guidance of senior technical leadership Including assisting with gap assessments, supporting the development and updating of biosafety/biosecurity manuals and SOPs, and helping implement risk management approaches such as hazard identification, risk assessment, and monitoring corrective and preventive actions S/He will also support hands-on training, competency assessment, and compliance with national and international laboratory standards. Will collaborate with country-level teams, including the project management team, technical advisors, and key stakeholders, to support the delivery of project activities and ensure coordination of laboratory strengthening initiatives.
The Laboratory and Diagnostics will support specimen transport and referral systems, including assessing routes, turnaround times, collection points, packaging requirements, and documentation. S/He will contribute to updating SOPs, chain-of-custody tools, and procedures to ensure safe transport, traceability, and standardized handling of specimens. S/He will contribute to project planning and implementation processes, including supporting work plan development, monitoring and evaluation activities, and technical documentation.
S/He will also provide administrative and technical support for project operations, including assisting with drafting technical sections of reports, supporting statements of work, maintaining project documentation, and contributing to other operational tasks as required.
Accountabilities
General Technical Requirements:
In close collaboration with the Laboratory and Diagnostic Specialist and the Project Technical Director supports the implementation of laboratory and diagnostic services component of the project, including coordination with other Global Health Security (GHS) technical areas (e.g., surveillance, data, etc.) to promote synergy and alignment of activities.
Supports the development and adaptation of project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials, and reports related to diagnostic services and laboratory technical areas.
Supports coordination with national and local counterparts with national and local counterparts to provide and facilitate technical assistance required to support project objectives and targets, primarily related to strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic services.
In close collaboration with the Laboratory/Diagnostic Specialist and the Project Technical Director, contributes to the development and drafting of technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate research, best practices, policies, and procedures.
Assists with the implementation and coordination 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, zoonotic diseases, biosafety/biosecurity, diagnostic networks, and surveillance.
Provides technical assistance and operational support for the scale-up and optimization of new diagnostic tools.
In close collaboration with the Laboratory/Diagnostic Specialist and the Project Technical Director, supports diagnostic network and laboratory capacity assessments, including assisting with the documentation, reporting of findings, and formulation of recommendations.
Project Coordination and Implementation:
Supports the alignment of laboratory component activities with the project workplan, ensuring synergies with surveillance, outbreak response, data, and multisectoral coordination.
Assists with -technical procurement processes (specifications, technical evaluation, etc.)
Assists in preparing technical reports, presentations, and knowledge products for the donor and counterparts; document progress, results, and lessons learned.
Support all activities related to the improvement of diagnostic capabilities and biosafety as outlined in the work plan.
Biosafety, biosecurity and bio-risk management:
Support gap assessments of biosafety/biosecurity in prioritized laboratories (infrastructure, practices, equipment, waste, documentation, and safety culture) to recommend site-specific improvement plans.
Collaborate updating the Biosafety and Biosecurity Manuals, critical SOPs (spills, occupational exposure, decontamination, waste management, access control, BSC maintenance, etc.), and verification tools (checklists).
Implement a risk management approach: hazard identification, risk assessment, hierarchy of controls, and monitoring of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
Strengthen hands-on training and competency assessment (e.g., PPE use, work in BSCs, inactivation procedures, safe packaging, incident response).
Support compliance with applicable standards (e.g., good laboratory practices, quality systems, national regulatory requirements, and relevant international guidance).
Diagnostic capacity strengthening and laboratory networks
Support diagnostic capacity assessments (equipment, reagents, human resources, diagnostic algorithms, workflows, Turn Around Time, quality, etc.) and prioritize interventions based on risk and burden.
Optimize and standardize diagnostic algorithms and workflows for priority pathogens in the workplan (e.g., emerging/re-emerging diseases, zoonoses, influenza/respiratory pathogens, etc.).
Strengthen the use and quality of laboratory data (e.g., Laboratory Information System), ensuring definitions, data dictionaries, and Data Quality Assessments (DQA) processes for key indicators.
Specimen transport, referral and chain of custody
Support the assessment of the specimen referral and counter-referral network: routes, turnaround times (TOT), collection points, responsibilities, packaging requirements, and documentation.
Participate in updating SOPs and tools for safe transport.
Support updating a chain-of-custody system for prioritized specimens, including standardized forms, traceability, and acceptance/rejection criteria.
Review and update transport performance indicators (e.g., transit time, specimen integrity, rejection rate, temperature compliance, incidents).
Train key staff (laboratories, epidemiology, logistics, couriers/transporters) on safe packaging and transport; conduct practical exercises and drills.
Support logistics and supply improvements: selection of packaging, refrigerants, dataloggers, cold-chain equipment, and contingency plans.
Applied Knowledge & Skills:
Broad knowledge of laboratory and diagnostic-related concepts, practices, and procedures
Broad knowledge of the Guatemala Health and Epidemiology landscape, context, and laboratory nation-wide networks, capacities, and infrastructure.
Working knowledge of laboratory-related quality assurance and biosafety/biosecurity standards.
Working knowledge in chain of custody procedures
Articulate, professional, and able to strengthen local capacities and communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients, partners, and key local stakeholders.
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.
Excellent organizational and analytical 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.
Strong written and verbal communication skills in Spanish required.
Written and verbal English skills are required.
Supervision Given/Received:
Reports to Laboratory and Diagnostic Specialist and works in close collaboration with the Project Technical Director
Has no supervisory responsibility.
Education:
Master’s degree in microbiology or its international equivalent in biological sciences within a clinical or diagnostic discipline or specialty desirable
Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or its International Equivalent in biological sciences within clinical or diagnostic discipline or related field required
Experience:
4+ years of relevant experience with infectious disease diagnostics and/or in laboratory systems strengthening.
Prior work experience with US-funded projects and familiarity with US regulations and reporting requirements is preferred.
Demonstrated experience in laboratory practices, diagnostic techniques, quality assurance systems, and laboratory information management systems in human sector
Proven experience working with biosafety, biosecurity, and quality standards.
Demonstrated experience in chain of custody is considered an asset
Proven experience in design, implement, and manage laboratory strengthening initiatives.
Proven 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.
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:
Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.
Travel Requirements:
Domestic travel required approximately 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.
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