Senior Technical Advisor – Laboratory Services

About the Organization

Role Overview

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Leadership & Diagnostic System Optimization

• Provide strategic technical direction to optimize public health laboratory networks in alignment with national laboratory guidelines and donor objectives.
• Strengthen diagnostic testing networks for Viral Load (VL), Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), TB diagnostic technologies (GeneXpert, LF-LAM), and baseline laboratory monitoring.
• Lead the optimization of specimen referral networks, last-mile sample transport systems, and result return turnaround times (TAT).
• Guide the integration of Point-of-Care (POC) testing platforms across healthcare service delivery points.

2. Quality Assurance & Laboratory System Strengthening

• Implement and monitor Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Laboratory Quality Management Systems (LQMS) aligned with SLMTA/ISO standards.
• Oversee External Quality Assessment (EQA) and Proficiency Testing (PT) participation across health facility laboratories and testing points.
• Strengthen laboratory equipment maintenance, calibration routines, service contracts, and downtime mitigation protocols.
• Collaborate with supply chain teams to ensure forecasting, quantification, and steady stock management for laboratory reagents and consumables.

3. Capacity Building & Mentorship

• Deliver technical assistance, clinical coaching, supportive supervision, and mentorship to laboratory personnel, RHMT/CHMT lab coordinators, and health facility teams.
• Develop, update, and deploy laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, training modules, and job aids.
• Build capacity within regional and council health management teams to independently supervise and monitor laboratory operations.

4. Data Quality, Learning & Coordination

• Leverage health laboratory information management systems (e.g., eLMIS, LIMS) to analyze laboratory utilization data, sample volumes, and testing yields.
• Ensure data alignment and reporting integrity across laboratory logbooks, digital portals, and national reporting systems.
• Represent EGPAF in national Laboratory Technical Working Groups (TWGs), NPHL coordination meetings, and partner forums.
• Document lessons learned, innovative diagnostic approaches, and operational research to inform program scale-up.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Biomedical Science, Public Health, or a related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience managing and leading public health laboratory systems and HIV/TB diagnostic networks in Tanzania.
• Technical Expertise: Advanced knowledge of HIV/TB diagnostic algorithms, Viral Load/EID networks, GeneXpert platform operations, specimen transport logistics, and LQMS/SLMTA accreditation processes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven history of effective collaboration with government health structures (MoH, NPHL, RHMTs, CHMTs), implementing partners, and health facilities.

Preferred

• Advanced Degree: Master’s degree or higher in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Public Health (MPH), Microbiology, or Molecular Biology.
• Donor Experience: Direct experience supporting PEPFAR or other major USG-funded laboratory strengthening projects in Tanzania.

Important Notice & Disclaimer

• No Fee Policy: EGPAF does not charge any recruitment fees at any stage of the application process.
• Equal Opportunity: EGPAF is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B).