Technical Officer, Laboratory Sciences

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health, education, and economic opportunities for individuals, enabling them to lead healthier lives. Established with a mission to address critical global challenges, FHI 360 has been operational for several decades and has a significant presence in various countries around the world. The organization employs a diverse workforce and collaborates with local governments, NGOs, and communities to implement programs that enhance health systems, education, and economic development. In Laos, FHI 360 has been actively supporting the Ministry of Health for many years, particularly in HIV programming through initiatives like LINKAGES and the EpiC project. The EpiC project aims to strengthen outbreak detection, enhance field epidemiology training, improve laboratory and surveillance systems, and bolster health systems to respond effectively to public health threats. FHI 360 operates in multiple countries, focusing on sustainable development and health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and is committed to fostering partnerships that lead to impactful change.

Job Overview:
The Technical Officer, Laboratory Sciences will play a crucial role within the EpiC Laos team, collaborating with government partners and laboratory networks throughout the country. This position is primarily focused on enhancing diagnostic services, improving specimen management and transport, and supporting laboratory quality systems. The officer will be responsible for training health workers, supervising field activities, and ensuring effective coordination among national, provincial, and district laboratories. The overarching goal of this role is to facilitate timely detection, reporting, and response to infectious disease threats, thereby contributing to the overall health security of the population. The Technical Officer will engage in various activities aimed at strengthening laboratory services, ensuring that they are equipped to handle public health challenges effectively. This includes providing technical assistance, developing strategic plans, and implementing quality management practices to enhance laboratory readiness and service quality.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: providing technical assistance to strengthen laboratory services for the prevention, detection, and response to infectious disease threats; supporting national stakeholders in developing or updating national diagnostic network strategic plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and policies; coordinating and facilitating training for health workers on specimen handling, quality assurance, laboratory standards, and communication of laboratory results; assisting national, provincial, and district laboratories in updating specimen referral pathways and outbreak investigation procedures; supporting laboratory quality management activities to improve diagnostic readiness and service quality; providing technical assistance for national laboratory accreditation, licensing, and external quality assessment programs; coordinating maintenance of laboratory equipment and ensuring proper management of laboratory commodities; conducting field visits to provide quality assurance, quality improvement, and on-the-job training in diagnostic services, biosafety, and biosecurity; supporting training activities for diagnostic facilities within the EpiC project and contributing to reporting on training outcomes; and assisting with other tasks as assigned by supervisors.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in public health, medical laboratory sciences, or a related discipline, or an international equivalent. A minimum of six years of relevant professional experience is required, including at least three years working in global health security or infectious disease laboratory programs under donor-funded initiatives. Applicants should demonstrate familiarity with Laos health and development programs, including national laboratory protocols, guidelines, and health information systems. Proven experience in capacity building and providing supervision for laboratory facilities is essential. Strong skills in report writing, data analysis, and professional communication are necessary, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. The ability to travel within Laos and internationally as needed is also required, along with advanced English language proficiency.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in public health, medical laboratory sciences, or another relevant discipline. An international equivalent degree is also acceptable. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of laboratory sciences and public health initiatives, particularly in the context of infectious disease management and health security.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of six years of relevant professional experience, with at least three years specifically in global health security or infectious disease laboratory programs funded by donors. Prior involvement with programs supported by the United States Government is highly desirable. Experience in supporting laboratory strengthening activities at national or provincial levels, as well as familiarity with laboratory quality management systems, biosafety, and biosecurity, is essential. Additionally, experience managing or coordinating specimen transport and referral systems, as well as working with laboratory information systems or basic digital reporting tools, is beneficial.

Languages:
Advanced proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of the local language, Lao, is advantageous but not required. Strong communication skills in English are essential for effective collaboration with international partners and stakeholders, as well as for report writing and data analysis.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve travel within Laos and internationally as needed. FHI 360 offers a competitive compensation package, with the expected hiring salary range for this role indexed at USD 12,000 - 16,000 for annual basic salary. The organization considers various factors when determining the offer amount, including relevant years of experience and education, internal equity, market pay, and budget constraints. FHI 360 is committed to equal opportunity employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. The organization also emphasizes safeguarding and requires all personnel to adhere to a code of conduct to prevent abuse, exploitation, and harassment.