Laboratory and Diagnostic Specialist

Overview

Jhpiego is an international, non-profit health organization affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University. Jhpiego develops innovations to enhance the capacity of health care workers, strengthening health systems and improve delivery of care towards improving the health and well-being. Jhpiego has been collaborating with the Government of Malawi and various partners in implementing a wide-range of interventions in maternal, newborn and child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and care and treatment, since 1999. 

Jhpiego, is seeking a highly qualified Laboratory and Diagnostic Specialist to provide technical support for the implementation, monitoring, and strengthening of laboratory and diagnostic services under the HIV/AIDS and TB prevention, care, and treatment programs across the full patient pathway.The incumbent will support the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of laboratory systems across supported project health facilities by strengthening diagnostic services, laboratory quality management systems, LQMS) specimen referral networks, equipment functionality, commodity management, and the timely transmission and clinical utilization of results for rapid treatment linkage .

Working closely with the Technical  Advisor, Ministry of Health counterparts, and implementing partners, the Laboratory and Diagnostic Specialist will support the scale-up frontline triage, HIV, TB molecular diagnostics, universal drug-susceptibility testing (DST), viral load, EID/PCR, and other priority point-of-care services   while ensuring adherence to national guidelines and donor requirements. 

Responsibilities

Laboratory and Diagnostic Services Strengthening

• Provide TB focused and other laboratory technical support networks for the implementation and strengthening of HIV, TB, viral load, EID, and other priority diagnostic services across supported health facilities in line with National priorities.
• Review adherence to diagnostic algorithms and support health facilities to maintain quality laboratory services n accordance with Malawi ministry of Health guidelines and international standards
• Support development and updating of national diagnostic network strategic plans, SOPs, policies and integrated laboratory testing guidelines ,including identifying gaps for human health programs
• Monitor laboratory performance, workload, turnaround times, and service quality across supported sites.
• Support the optimization of laboratory networks to improve access to diagnostic services and timely return of results. 
• Assist facilities in addressing technical and operational challenges affecting laboratory service delivery. 
• Support building   the capacity of TB laboratories to perform culture, Xpert, drug-susceptibility testing and line probe assay, including resistance to second-line drugs.
• Support laboratory work on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), biosafety and biosecurity, and coordination with other technical areas (surveillance, data, outbreak response) to ensure synergy
• Monitor laboratory performance, workload, turnaround times, and service quality across supported sites.
• Support implementation of new and emerging diagnostic technologies in line with Ministry of Health policies and project priorities.

  Laboratory Quality Management Systems

• Support implementation of laboratory quality management systems and continuous quality improvement initiatives across laboratory networks and point-of-care testing sites
• Assist facilities to strengthen internal quality control external quality assessment programs and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and digital connectivity solutions for centralized and point-of-care testing instruments.  
• Build the capacity of supported facilities and healthcare staff to perform near-point-of-care (near-POC) diagnostics (e.g., Truenat, LF-LAM, rapid HIV/STI tests) and advanced laboratory testing including culture, Xpert, drug-susceptibility testing and line probe assay, including resistance to second-line drugs.
• Conduct supportive supervision, technical assistance , and quality improvement visits to supported laboratories and decentralized point-of-care testing hubs.
• Monitor laboratory and POC site compliance with national laboratory standards, point-of-care testing guidelines, policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Support application of formal quality systems that document processes, procedures and responsibilities, and coordinate activities to meet donor and regulatory requirements
• Support laboratory and diagnostic network readiness assessments, audits, and accreditation efforts where applicable.
• Track and follow up on the implementation of corrective and preventive actions arising from supervision visits, audits, and quality assessments.
• Establish and maintain routine coordination mechanisms with facility-level and district HIV and TB clinical teams to align laboratory diagnostic outputs with clinical care pathways, treatment decisions, specimen referral networks, and patient loss-to-follow-up tracking

Diagnostic Equipment and Laboratory Commodity Management

• Support installation, utilization, maintenance, and monitoring of laboratory and diagnostic equipment and reagents .
• Coordinate preventive maintenance and timely repair of laboratory equipment in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor equipment functionality and provide technical assistance in troubleshooting operational challenges.
• Support forecasting, quantification, and monitoring of laboratory commodities, reagents, and consumables.
• Review laboratory consumption data and support facilities to maintain optimal stock levels while minimizing expiries and stock-outs.
• Strengthen inventory management and reporting systems for laboratory commodities and equipment.

Specimen Referral Systems and Supply Chain Strengthening

• Support the implementation and strengthening of specimen referral and transportation systems for laboratory testing services.
• specimen referral performance indicators, including turnaround time and sample integrity.
• Strengthen linkages between testing and referral facilities to improve access to specialized diagnostic services.
• Support laboratory logistics and supply chain activities to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential diagnostics and laboratory commodities.
• Collaborate with Ministry of Health and implementing partners to strengthen laboratory network efficiency.

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

• Provide on-site technical assistance and technical assistance to laboratory staff on laboratory best practices, diagnostic procedures, biosafety, and quality management.
• Support the development, adaptation, and dissemination of training materials, job aids, standard operating procedures, and laboratory guidelines.
• Facilitate training and capacity-building activities for laboratory personnel and other relevant healthcare workers.
• Support laboratories in preparing and maintaining accreditation (e.g. ISO 15189, SLIPTA)
• Strengthen facility capacity in laboratory data management, equipment management, and commodity forecasting.
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous professional development among laboratory personnel.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) teams to collect, analyze, and utilize laboratory performance data and provide technical oversight for MDR-TB data management and reporting.
• Monitor project indicators and contribute to routine performance reviews and program improvement initiatives.
• Support integration of laboratory diagnostic data into national platforms, including real-time specimen and test data, and updating data tools, M&E and reporting templates
• Prepare technical reports, success stories, lessons learned, and documentation of best practice.
• Contribute to donor, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc project reports as required.
• Participate in technical working groups, stakeholder meetings, and professional forums representing the project.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Ministry of Health, district health authorities, implementing partners, donors, and other stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Laboratory Technology, or a related field required.
• Master's Degree in Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Laboratory Management, Epidemiology, Health Systems Management, or a related discipline will be an added advantage.
• Registered with the Medical Council of Malawi (MCM) or other relevant professional regulatory body with a valid practicing license.
• Membership in a relevant professional association will be an added advantage.

• Minimum of 7 to 8  years' progressive experience working in clinical, public health, or research laboratories, including the provision of technical assistance and implementation of laboratory systems strengthening initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience supporting HIV, TB, Viral Load, Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), microbiology, hematology, biochemistry, and other diagnostic services.
• Experience working on donor-funded programs, preferably PEPFAR, CDC, USAID, Global Fund, or other international health initiatives.
• Experience in training, mentoring, coaching, and supportive supervision of laboratory personnel.
• Experience implementing laboratory quality management systems, quality assurance, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting laboratory commodity management, forecasting, quantification, procurement planning, inventory management, and supply chain systems.
• Experience working with Ministry of Health programs, district health offices, and implementing partners.
• Experience supporting integrated HIV/TB programs and public health laboratory systems strengthening.

• Strong knowledge of HIV, TB, viral load, EID, and other priority diagnostic services.
• Sound understanding of laboratory quality management systems, accreditation, quality assurance, and biosafety standards.
• Knowledge of laboratory network optimization, specimen referral systems, and laboratory information systems.
• Understanding of public health procurement and supply chain management systems and their role in health service delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to strengthen service delivery systems, implement quality improvement initiatives, and support monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Strong understanding of Malawi's healthcare system, particularly the public health sector and laboratory services framework.
• Familiarity with donor compliance, program implementation, reporting requirements, and performance monitoring systems.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with government counterparts, donors, implementing partners, professional associations, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to translate evidence and best practices into program implementation.
• Excellent report writing and documentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively within Malawi.

All staff irrespective of their position are expected to comply with and follow Jhpiego operational procedures and policies, and codes of conduct. 

                                       Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

                                                                     Please apply at www.jhpiego.org/careers

Applicants must submit a single document for upload, including a cover letter, resume, and references. Clossing date for the submission of the applications is Tuesday, November 17, 2026. For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to tough international child safeguarding standards.

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.

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