Senior Lab Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to human development, committed to sustainably improving living conditions by providing integrated and contextually appropriate solutions. Established with a mission to address interconnected development challenges, FHI 360 employs experts in various fields including health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing. The organization operates in all U.S. states and territories as well as several countries worldwide, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), focusing on health initiatives. In the DRC, FHI 360 implements the STRIDES project (Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems), aimed at enhancing the country's capacity to prevent, detect, monitor, and respond to infectious disease threats as part of global health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security efforts funded by the U.S. Department of State. The STRIDES project specifically focuses on strengthening the detection, diagnosis, and surveillance capabilities related to the Ebola virus, along with operational aspects of epidemic response.

Job Overview:
The Senior Lab Advisor for the STRIDES project provides high-level technical and operational support to strengthen laboratory and diagnostic systems in response to the Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The incumbent contributes to the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of interventions aimed at enhancing Ebola response preparedness, early detection, diagnostic quality, sample transport and biosafety, laboratory data management systems, and the integration of surveillance and laboratory systems. The role involves close collaboration with national and sub-national health authorities, project teams, and other stakeholders to enhance laboratory capacities and ensure effective implementation of activities at the provincial level and in project intervention areas. The advisor also provides on-the-ground technical support during Ebola outbreaks, addressing operational challenges and ensuring timely laboratory services that meet required quality standards. The position is based in Bunia, DRC, with travel to provinces and project intervention areas as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Technical and Strategic Leadership: Lead and coordinate the implementation of laboratory strengthening and diagnostic system activities within STRIDES in response to Ebola, ensuring objectives are met within established quality standards, timelines, and budget parameters. Define applicable quality standards for diagnostic and preparedness activities and ensure their integration into work plans and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) activities, including those implemented by subcontractors. Design and implement technical support interventions, strengthen diagnostic networks and health facilities, and improve quality based on relevant assessments, including Joint External Evaluations (JEE) and State Parties Self-Assessment Annual Reports (SPAR). Provide high-level technical support to ensure STRIDES investments contribute to sustainable strengthening of national and sub-national diagnostic systems and capacities in alignment with global health security (GHS) objectives. Contribute to laboratory strengthening to develop sustainable preparedness and response capacities for major infectious diseases beyond immediate emergency needs. Develop and finalize terms of reference for STRIDES subcontractors, assess their implementation against established standards, and lead corrective actions as necessary. Monitor innovations, evidence, and best practices in diagnostics and laboratory capacity strengthening, ensuring dissemination and application within STRIDES teams, partners, and intervention countries. Facilitate experience sharing and networking among laboratories and diagnostic structures across different intervention countries to enhance future Ebola outbreak response programs.
• Surveillance, Laboratory Integration, and Early Detection: Oversee the implementation of activities to strengthen diagnostic networks, including sample transport mechanisms, quality management systems, laboratory information management systems, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and diagnostic tools, extending diagnostic services to care delivery sites while enhancing biosafety and biosecurity. Ensure laboratory and diagnostic systems are strengthened to enable rapid and reliable detection and diagnosis of Ebola threats. Enhance coordination between surveillance systems and laboratory systems, ensuring linkage between surveillance, sample collection and transport, laboratory analyses, result transmission, data utilization, and rapid public health response implementation. Strengthen sample transport systems to ensure timely diagnostics and result transmission according to quality standards. Promote effective management of laboratory information and data to support surveillance, diagnostic decision-making, and public health interventions. Contribute to the development of integrated/ coordinated diagnostic networks covering human and animal health sectors and other relevant sectors within a One Health approach. Define and monitor quality standards and processes to ensure integrated/ coordinated laboratory surveillance and early detection within the diagnostic network.
• Epidemic Response Preparation and Coordination: Lead STRIDES laboratory and diagnostic staff in the country, including subcontractor-managed personnel, and develop and maintain partnerships with national, regional, and local authorities as well as multi-sectoral partners. Identify and provide necessary technical support and leadership for strengthening laboratory preparedness and diagnostic networks in response to the Ebola outbreak. Coordinate diagnostic preparedness and response activities with authorities, laboratories, and various multi-sectoral partners involved. Support the application of best practices and diagnostic systems during public health emergencies and outbreak responses. Provide technical support for laboratory and diagnostic activities in response to the Ebola outbreak. Work closely with surveillance teams, laboratory and diagnostic managers, technical advisors, authority representatives, implementation partners, and laboratory staff to ensure effective coordination of preparedness and response activities. Ensure that STRIDES-supported laboratory emergency investments and activities are coordinated with relevant response teams, avoid duplication, and contribute to long-term strengthening of laboratory capacities at national and sub-national levels where possible.
• Capacity Building and Team Mentoring: Lead training and process improvement activities to ensure compliance with standard technical norms. Supervise and support STRIDES laboratory and diagnostic staff at headquarters and provide operational technical support and supervision to country-based teams. Oversee recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes for staff as needed. Contribute to performance management and professional development of direct reports through ongoing support, coaching, and career development assistance. Strengthen the capacities of national teams and partners in laboratory areas through technical assistance, mentoring, training, and continuous quality improvement. Promote sustainable capacity strengthening within national and sub-national laboratory networks, focusing on developing systems and skills that can be maintained beyond STRIDES-supported interventions.

Required Qualifications:
Strong knowledge of infectious disease diagnostic methods, particularly for the Ebola virus, along with practical experience in field implementation and project management. Excellent oral and written communication skills; proficiency in a second language is an asset. Exceptional organizational and analytical skills. Proven experience in technical leadership and project management; prior experience in laboratory and diagnostic capacity strengthening during an emerging infectious disease outbreak is a plus. Experience with the implementation of U.S. government-funded contracts. Ability to work flexibly throughout project implementation, adapting to evolving national, regional, international, and U.S. government priorities. Ability to mobilize, influence, and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders to achieve STRIDES objectives. Ability to share information, present recommendations, and collaborate with colleagues and peers within STRIDES and with external partners as needed. Ability to establish and maintain constructive working relationships with various stakeholder groups, public authority representatives, multilateral organizations, and donor representatives. Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to work effectively under tight deadlines.

Educational Background:
Master's degree or equivalent international qualification in microbiology, clinical diagnostics, or a related field. Certification in project management (PM) is an asset.

Experience:
At least 12 years of relevant professional experience, including project design and evaluation in the relevant field. Strong knowledge and proven experience in infectious disease diagnostics. Experience on Ebola-related projects is a plus. Good understanding of recent developments in infectious disease diagnostics, including point-of-care diagnostic methods and molecular methods. Knowledge and experience in laboratory strengthening to meet international quality standards. Familiarity with international biosafety standards and regulations. Proven sensitivity to cultural differences and a good understanding of ethical issues related to infectious disease diagnostics and surveillance. Previous professional experience within a non-governmental organization (NGO), public administration, or private organization. Strong experience in contract management, setting realistic priorities, and planning necessary for successful implementation of activities.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory; proficiency in English is a plus. Knowledge of local languages may also be beneficial.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and based in Bunia, DRC, with travel requirements of at least 35% of the time. The expected hiring salary range for this role is USD 55,000 - 70,000 annually for gross salary (basic and allowances) for national local hire. 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. For internal candidates, salary placement will also follow FHI 360’s current promotional increase guidelines. 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 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. 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 applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation, and/or harassment during the applicant’s 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 — and yourself.