Laboratory and Diagnostics Specialist II

ABOUT FHI 360

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing - creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries and all US states and territories.

FHI 360 has worked in Bangladesh for more than 45 years. Since 1975, we have taken a comprehensive approach to help transform the country’s health and development landscape. Leveraging a blend of global expertise and local insights, we have consistently strengthened community capacities, enhanced systems, and reinforced institutional frameworks for a sustainable impact. In partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 Bangladesh delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services—including HIV and nutrition, tuberculosis, global health security, and economic participation. 

The U.S. government’s (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) program provides life-saving assistance to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats which pose risks for public health outbreaks that could cost lives. As part of the USG’s GHS program, the Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) Activity advances cross-sectoral efforts to successfully identify, manage, and respond to infectious disease threats; detect and prevent further outbreaks; and instill confidence in the operability of a country’s disease detection and surveillance structures and services.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Laboratory and Diagnostic Specialistprovides technical guidance around the STRIDES Activity’s laboratory/diagnostic strategy to support implementation. The Specialist will provide technical support to STRIDES in-country staff, including supporting technical requirements in workplan design and quality assurance;  implement and monitor strategic and technical initiatives; and contribute expertise through the development and management of reports and technical materials. Working closely with the Laboratory and Diagnostic Advisor and in-country and Headquarter (HQ) STRIDES teams, the Specialist will support implementation by evaluating programmatic effectiveness, overseeing technical aspects, and providing technical assessment reports.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Requirements:

• Provides STRIDES day-to-day technical implementation support for laboratory and diagnostic strengthening activities, including mentoring laboratory staff, supporting adherence to protocols, and ensuring activities align with approved workplans and guidance from the Laboratory and Diagnostic Advisor.
• Supports STRIDES technical aspects, including staff and partner capacity building, mentorship, and team building for in-country laboratory and diagnostic teams.
• Implements, monitors, and updates laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and training materials, and supports laboratories to apply quality improvement actions based on routine supervision and performance findings.
• Works closely with the Senior Laboratory and Diagnostics Advisor and in-country teams to ensure project implementation remains technically sound and adheres to STRIDES strategy and SOPs.
• Contributes to the development and writing of technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate assessments, best practices, policies, and procedures.
• Conducts analysis of STRIDES in-country implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategies and guidelines.
• Assists with technical support and overall management to ensure coordination and field-level implementation, and collaborates with the STRIDES monitoring, evaluation and research team to interpret data sets and assessment findings.
• Contributes to research initiatives to improve laboratory practices and diagnostic outcomes.

Project Implementation:

• Implements laboratory and diagnostic strategies and tools developed under the guidance of the Laboratory and Diagnostic Advisor and adapts implementation approaches based on site-level findings and operational constraints.
• Assists in-country teams with implementing and monitoring STRIDES laboratory and diagnostics-focused activities and supports development and tracking against workplans and budgets.
• Supports laboratory data quality and completeness, including review of laboratory registers, reports, and outputs to ensure diagnostic data are accurate, timely, and suitable for integration into national reporting systems.
• Monitors in-country STRIDES deliverables and reports to supervisors and identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff.
• Supports implementation of technical support, diagnostic network and facility strengthening, and quality improvement interventions in line with Joint External Evaluation (JEE) reports, States Parties Self-Assessment Annual Reports (SPAR), country national action plans, and other assessments.

Client Support:

• Builds productive working relationships internally and externally by fostering collaboration with national and international organizations, government agencies, academia, and other relevant entities.
• Assists with the preparation and drafting of work plans, presentations, and reports for the US Department of State and other key stakeholders.
• Participate and represent the project in meetings and forums as required.

Operations Management:

• Ensures STRIDES laboratory/diagnostic activities are on track with approved workplans and that technical expertise and best practices inform project implementation.
• Oversees in-country STRIDES timelines and budgets for laboratory/diagnostic activities.
• Tracks in-country technical project spend and Statements of Work and budget tracking systems, providing reports to supervisor.
• Represents the project in donor meetings.

Project/Program Reporting:

• Prepares reports and papers summarizing STRIDES results and analyzing data sets, including drafting laboratory/diagnostic sections of technical reports for donors.
• Creates other technical content (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts) as requested.

Quality Assurance:

• Develops in-depth knowledge of laboratory/diagnostic quality standards through formalized system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives.
• Coordinates and directs activities to meet donor and regulatory requirements.
• Stays up-to-date on innovations in diagnostics and laboratory strengthening approaches and ensures new knowledge/evidence and best practices are shared with STRIDES teams, partners, and host country, and applied as appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

• In-depth knowledge of infectious disease diagnostics and applied knowledge of providing technical support for field implementation, research studies, and project management.
• Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
• Broader knowledge of laboratory/diagnostic quality standards.
• Proficiency with database management software and online search tools required.
• Sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and technical issues in assigned countries and regions.
• Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English and Bangla.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with others.
• Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
• Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Master’s Degree or International Equivalent in Knowledge/Information Services, Health, Human Development, Microbiology, Clinical Diagnostics or a Related Field.

• Demonstrated experience with laboratory systems strengthening, diagnostic network assessment, specimen referral systems, QMS, BSS/BRM, and/or zoonotic disease diagnostics.
• Experience working with human and/or animal health laboratories, including national reference laboratories, subnational laboratories, veterinary laboratories, or One Health laboratory coordination platforms.
• Experience supporting development of SOPs, technical guidance, assessment tools, action plans, quality manuals, laboratory reports, and donor-facing technical documentation.
• Typically requires 6+ years of relevant experience managing data collection and technical assistance experience.
• Proven knowledge and experience in the diagnosis of infectious diseases.
• Familiarity with ISO 15189, ISO 17025, ISO 35001 principles, laboratory biosafety/biosecurity, external quality assurance, document control, internal audit, equipment maintenance/calibration, and laboratory data systems.
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the ethical issues surrounding research and surveillance.
• Proactive in managing multiple tasks, managing, and working in the virtual work environment, and flexible and open to managing time for working with different teams in different time zones as needed.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication, team building and management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written English and Bangla including documentation skills.

Travel Requirements:

• 10%-25%

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work and are subject to modification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job.    

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran with respect to policies, programs, or activities.  

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 and affirmative action 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.

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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.

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