Senior Technical Consultant, Global TFA Laboratory Capacity Strategy

Resolve To Save Lives • Remote, VA

6d • Remote

About The Position

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is a global health organization focused on preventing deaths from the world's deadliest health threats. The Cardiovascular Health (CVH) team specifically works on developing programs to improve heart health, including efforts to reduce salt intake and eliminate trans fats from food supplies. This role is for an Independent Contractor to develop a global strategy for strengthening laboratory capacity for trans-fatty acid (TFA) analysis in low- and middle-income countries. This strategy will be grounded in existing evidence, informed by stakeholder engagement, and supported by a practical training framework and analysis of sustainable financing mechanisms. The goal is to guide investment and program design for TFA elimination over the next three to five years, addressing the significant public health burden of industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA).

Requirements

• Advanced degree in public health, food science, food technology, analytical chemistry, laboratory science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in laboratory systems strengthening.
• Demonstrated experience in building lab capacity for public health outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income country contexts.
• Track record of developing technical strategies, frameworks, or program plans in a global health or food safety context, with evidence of uptake by commissioning organizations.
• Familiarity with relevant international analytical standards and quality frameworks, including ISO laboratory accreditation standards, AOAC International methods and validation protocols, and AOCS official methods for fatty acid and lipid analysis, and their practical application.
• Proven ability to conduct key informant interviews and stakeholder consultations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Ability to synthesize complex technical evidence into clear, actionable outputs for senior non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to work independently and manage a multi-phase assignment with limited supervision.
• Ability to travel internationally to program countries as needed and agreed upon.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with analytical methods, including Gas Chromatography (GC - FID/GC - MS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and other methods for fatty acid analysis.
• Experience working with international organizations, governments and public health agencies, regulatory agencies, WHO, or similar global health organizations.

Responsibilities

• Review and synthesize existing evidence on laboratory capacity gaps, barriers, and good practices across program countries.
• Conduct structured stakeholder engagement, including key informant interviews with government counterparts, regulatory bodies, laboratory professionals, and technical partners.
• Develop a global laboratory capacity strategy with a clear vision, strategic priorities, and a phased approach to investment.
• Develop or identify experts to develop a training framework/model for building and sustaining TFA laboratory capacity.
• Identify bottlenecks and solutions for procurement challenges, and explore potential for standardizing processes and specifications.
• Research and synthesize options for sustainable financing and supply chain mechanisms.
• Support RTSL research and activities on lab methodologies and capacity support.
• Travel to conduct reviews/stakeholder meetings and participate in planned lab trainings.
• Support country-specific laboratory strengthening efforts in priority program countries, including providing technical input on analytical methods, quality management systems, and accreditation pathways; advising on equipment procurement and consumables supply chains; and contributing to in-country capacity-building activities.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior