Technical Advisor, Laboratory Systems

Management Sciences for Health

9d • $85,600 - $120,600 • Hybrid

About The Position

MSH seeks a Laboratory Systems Technical Advisor for a potential 5-year CDC-funded Global Health Security (GHS) program aimed at improving countries’ ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. The project will partner with Ministries of Health and other governmental institutions to strengthen systems needed to address naturally occurring outbreaks as well as intentional or accidental releases of high-consequence pathogens. Building on ten years of U.S. Government investments in GHS and lessons learned from COVID-19 and other public health emergencies, this activity will support countries to (1) improve prevention of avoidable epidemics; (2) strengthen early detection and characterization of emerging biological threats; and (3) enable rapid, effective response to public health events of international concern. MSH is a global health nonprofit that works with local partners from the Ministry to the community to build strong, resilient, and equitable health systems in more than 150 countries. This position is subject to project award and funding. The job location is flexible to candidates in Arlington, VA and other locations in the U.S. OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES Laboratory Systems Technical Advisor provides technical leadership and oversight for all laboratory strengthening activities, ensuring high-quality implementation and compliance with CDC and MSH standards. S/he works closely with Ministries of Health, national public health laboratories, CDC experts, and other health system actors to improve diagnostic capability, quality management systems, biosafety/biosecurity, and integration of laboratory data into surveillance and early warning systems. The Laboratory Systems Technical Advisor contributes to planning, documentation, coordination, and reporting across the project. They will also contribute to business and resource development activities as requested. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES Technical Strategy and Implementation Lead design, technical assistance, and implementation related to national laboratory system strengthening activities across diagnostics, biosafety, biosecurity, QMS, and laboratory networks. Support MOHs and national laboratories to improve detection, diagnostics, and sequencing capacity for threats. Strengthen laboratory information systems (LIS), reporting pathways, and integration with surveillance systems. Improve sample transport and referral systems, including protocols, logistics, and data tracking. Provide technical direction on implementation of laboratory assessments, gap analyses, and improvement plans. Quality Assurance and Biosafety/Biosecurity Lead activities to improve quality assurance, capacity strengthening, proficiency testing, and adherence. Support development and maintenance of biosafety and biosecurity protocols, facility assessments, and mitigation plans. Capacity Strengthening Facilitate the development of capacity strengthening activities and programs for laboratory staff and local experts. Provide mentorship to improve diagnostic accuracy, data management, and adherence to SOPs and standards. Coordination and Representation Facilitate coordination with surveillance teams, emergency response units, and CDC technical staff to ensure a cohesive detection and response strategy. Represent the project with MOHs, regional laboratory networks, implementing partners, and technical working groups. Contribute to high-quality documentation, assessments, technical reports, and lessons learned. Project Management and Collaboration Participate in the development of annual work plans, MERL processes, and technical reporting. Support cross-cutting GHS work, including outbreak investigations, rapid response, and preparedness exercises.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in laboratory sciences, microbiology, molecular biology, public health laboratory science, or related field.
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience strengthening laboratory systems in LMICs.
• Demonstrated expertise in diagnostic testing, laboratory network development, QMS, biosafety/biosecurity, and laboratory information systems.
• Experience working with Ministries of Health, government bodies, national reference laboratories, CDC, and global laboratory partners.
• Familiarity with IHR, WHO laboratory frameworks, and CDC laboratory strengthening guidance.
• Strong training, mentorship, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Fluency in English is required and proficiency in French is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Laboratory Systems Technical Advisor provides technical leadership and oversight for all laboratory strengthening activities, ensuring high-quality implementation and compliance with CDC and MSH standards.
• Works closely with Ministries of Health, national public health laboratories, CDC experts, and other health system actors to improve diagnostic capability, quality management systems, biosafety/biosecurity, and integration of laboratory data into surveillance and early warning systems.
• Contributes to planning, documentation, coordination, and reporting across the project.
• Contribute to business and resource development activities as requested.
• Lead design, technical assistance, and implementation related to national laboratory system strengthening activities across diagnostics, biosafety, biosecurity, QMS, and laboratory networks.
• Support MOHs and national laboratories to improve detection, diagnostics, and sequencing capacity for threats.
• Strengthen laboratory information systems (LIS), reporting pathways, and integration with surveillance systems.
• Improve sample transport and referral systems, including protocols, logistics, and data tracking.
• Provide technical direction on implementation of laboratory assessments, gap analyses, and improvement plans.
• Lead activities to improve quality assurance, capacity strengthening, proficiency testing, and adherence.
• Support development and maintenance of biosafety and biosecurity protocols, facility assessments, and mitigation plans.
• Facilitate the development of capacity strengthening activities and programs for laboratory staff and local experts.
• Provide mentorship to improve diagnostic accuracy, data management, and adherence to SOPs and standards.
• Facilitate coordination with surveillance teams, emergency response units, and CDC technical staff to ensure a cohesive detection and response strategy.
• Represent the project with MOHs, regional laboratory networks, implementing partners, and technical working groups.
• Contribute to high-quality documentation, assessments, technical reports, and lessons learned.
• Participate in the development of annual work plans, MERL processes, and technical reporting.
• Support cross-cutting GHS work, including outbreak investigations, rapid response, and preparedness exercises.

Benefits

• a substantial vacation, sick and holiday policies
• training and development programs
• competitive insurance coverage for health, vision, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability
• 401k plan
• Flexible Spending Account

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees