Laboratory Services Expansion Specialists

Job Overview:

This role is for a proposal the organization is currently working on. We are seeking to engage a pool of qualified Consultants with different areas of thematic expertise as stated below to provide technical assistance to support a selection of countries in expanding access to quality-assured laboratory services The Technical Assistants will play a crucial role in expanding access to quality assured laboratory services and ultimately contribute to improved health outcomes in the supported countries. This Consultancy will be on an as-needed basis for a period of three years, with a detailed scope of work tailored to each country’s context.

Responsibilities:

The Global Health Laboratory Access Specialists will be responsible for providing technical assistance in at least one of the following key areas:

1. Laboratory Governance and Oversight:
   • Facilitation of Laboratory Technical Working Groups and coordination mechanisms.
   • Support in national operational planning for laboratory services.
   • Development of a national Essential Diagnostics List (EDL) and standardization of tests and technologies.
   • Oversight of human resource/staffing and training in laboratory services.
2. Quality Management and Accreditation:
   • Development of national quality standards for laboratory services.
   • Establishment of National External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes.
   • Support for the accreditation of laboratories to international standards (ISO 15189, 17043, 17042, etc.).
   • Implementation of National SLIPTA/SLMTA schemes for laboratory improvement.
3. Laboratory Information Systems:
   • Establishment and implementation of Integrated Laboratory Information Systems (LIS).
   • Ensuring interoperability of LIS with other systems (LIMS, HMIS, etc.).
   • Training and capacity building for laboratory staff on information systems.
   • Implementing connectivity solutions and data reporting mechanisms.
4. Network Optimization and Geospatial Analysis:
   • Planning and assessment of laboratory networks.
   • Conducting geospatial mapping for optimizing laboratory services.
   • Analyzing and modeling Diagnostic Network Optimization for improved access.
5. Laboratory-Based Surveillance:
   • Developing strategic plans for genomic surveillance.
   • Providing training on expanded diagnostic capacities beyond HTM, NGS, and bioinformatics.
   • Supporting surveillance efforts under the One Health framework.
6. Antimicrobial Resistance:
   • Strategic planning, procurement, and quality assurance/management for antimicrobial resistance programs.
   • Developing or adapting policies, SOPs, and protocols related to antimicrobial resistance.
   • Establishing data systems, providing training, and offering supportive supervision for quality improvement.
7. Laboratory Supply Chain Systems:
   • Forecasting and quantification of laboratory supplies.
   • Planning for procurement, reagent rental, and All-Inclusive Pricing.
   • Developing efficient specimen referral and transport systems.
8. Biosafety and Biosecurity:
   • Assessing laboratory infrastructure, policies, and practices for biosafety and biosecurity.
   • Developing policies, SOPs, and incident management and reporting frameworks.
   • Coordinating equipment maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and architectural design of laboratory facilities.
   • Providing training on biosafety, biosecurity, biomedical engineering, calibration, preventive, and curative maintenance.
9. Healthcare Waste Management:
   • Conducting assessments of healthcare waste management at various levels.
   • Reviewing national or sub-national policies and investment plans for healthcare waste management.
   • Assessing the feasibility of healthcare waste management technologies.
   • Planning for the installation, operation, and sustainability of healthcare waste management technologies.
   • Exploring opportunities for public-private partnerships and sourcing related to healthcare waste management.

Qualifications:

Consultants should possess relevant expertise and experience in the designated thematic areas related to laboratory services expansion and global health. Other educational and professional requirements are outlined below.

• An advanced degree in degree in medical laboratory technology or any relevant scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in delivering technical assistance in laboratory-related projects.
• The ability to interpret and analyze laboratory data, recognize abnormalities, and report findings accurately.
• Solid demonstrated experience in working with national governments to strengthen laboratory systems and diagnostics networks.
• Proven experience in implementing innovative solutions to enhance integrated lab systems for improved service delivery.
• Extensive knowledge of best practices and global guidelines associated with the core capabilities mentioned above.
• Demonstrated experience in Low and Lower-Middle Income countries.
• Knowledge of up-to-date best practices and international standards related to the core capabilities being bid on.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. Spanish language capability is considered a considerable asset.