Job Summary:

The Senior Laboratory/Diagnostics Officer provides technical guidance around the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity’s laboratory/diagnostic strategy to support implementation. S/he will provide technical support to STRIDES in-country staff, including supporting technical requirements in workplan design and quality assurance. The STRIDES Senior Laboratory/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 in-country and Headquarter (HQ) STRIDES teams, s/he supports implementation by evaluating programmatic effectiveness, overseeing technical aspects, and providing technical assessment reports.

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

• Provides STRIDES in-country laboratory and diagnostics staff with overall technical direction and guidance in line with the Activity’s objectives.

• Supports STRIDES technical aspects, including staff and partner capacity building, mentorship, and team building for in-country laboratory and diagnostic teams.

• Monitors and maintains STRIDES laboratory and diagnostic protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials and reports.

• Works closely with the Project Director, STRIDES and in-country teams to ensure project implementation remains technically sound and adheres to STRIDES strategy and standard operating 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.

Project Design Implementation:

• Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of STRIDES laboratory/diagnostic technical components.
• Assists in-country teams with implementing and monitoring STRIDES laboratory and diagnostics-focused activities and supports development and tracking against workplans and budgets.
• 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.

Operations Management (Finance, HR, etc.):

• Ensure STRIDES laboratory/diagnostic activities are on track with approved workplans and that technical expertise and best practices inform project implementation.
• Oversee in-country STRIDES timelines and budgets for laboratory/diagnostic activities.
• Tracks in-country technical project spends 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.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• 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.
• Knowledge of Juba Arabic or other local languages is highly desirable for roles that involve direct engagement with local communities.
• 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.

Competencies:

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 Country Project Director.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Knowledge/Information Services, Health, Human Development, Microbiology, Clinical Diagnostics or a Related Field.
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience:

• 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.

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 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%

South Sudanese nationals are encouraged to apply: https://www.fhi360.org/join-our-team/

The expected hiring range for this role is equivalent of USD 30,000 - 40,000 annual for basic salary. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay, and budget.

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.

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