Regional Laboratory/Diagnostics Advisor II

Job Summary:

The Laboratory/Diagnostic Advisor II is the advanced subject matter expert who oversees the subject matter aspects of moderately complex technical units of a functional domain, directing other professional staff members. S/he leads the technical design and quality oversight including implementation, and monitoring of technical strategies to strengthen diagnostic networks that provide comprehensive coverage and universal access to diagnostic services for the STRengthening Infectious Disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity.. This will include diagnostic network and facility assessments and initiatives designed to strengthen outbreak preparedness across human and animal diagnostic networks. S/he will work alongside in country laboratory teams and supervise lab activities implemented by country teams and subcontractors to ensure that STRIDES activities align with workplan objectives and USG priorities and are implemented to the highest quality and aligned with international standards and guidelines, on time, and within budget. S/he manages multiple deliverables, projects, and countries across the Asia and Western Pacific regions, while supporting research, learning, and systems improvement initiatives. S/he also develops and refines technical tools, resources, and guidance. This position will provide direct technical oversight and support to STRIDES laboratory/diagnostics activities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

• Plans, directs, and coordinates implementation of STRIDES laboratory and diagnostic strengthening activities to ensure that goals and objectives meet or exceed relevant quality standards and are accomplished within prescribed timeframes and funding parameters.
• Establishes STRIDES diagnostic and preparedness quality standards, ensuring those standards inform workplans and MEL activities, including for subcontractors.
• Leads the development of country-specific workplans and budgets for diagnostic network activities aligned with Activity goals and ensuring compliance with donor and organizational policies and procedures.
• Leads STRIDES in-country laboratory/diagnostic staff, including those “owned” by project subcontractors, to develop and manage relationships with national, regional, and local government counterparts and multisectoral partners in the diagnostic network space; identifies technical support and leadership needed to fulfill Administration priorities to improve laboratory/diagnostic network outbreak preparedness.
• Leads development and 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.
• Leads implementation of diagnostic network enhancement activities, including specimen referral mechanisms, quality management systems, supply chain, laboratory management information systems, diagnostic standard operating procedures and tools, expansion of point-of-care diagnostic service points, and biosafety and biosecurity strengthening.
• Leads cross-learning and networking of laboratories and diagnostic facilities across countries.
• 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 countries, and applied as appropriate.
• Develops and finalizes scopes of work for STRIDES subcontractors; assesses implementation of all laboratory/diagnostic strengthening activities undertaken by subcontractors against standards and directs adjustments, as needed.
• Directs training and development process improvement initiatives to ensure compliance with technical standards.
• Consults with STRIDES Senior Laboratory/Diagnostic Advisor and STRIDES Technical Director to improve Activity implementation and outcomes in the laboratory and diagnostic technical focus area.
• Mentors laboratory/diagnostic staff at the country levels; provides matrixed support and supervision to country-based staff.
• Oversees recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes as requested.
• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.
• Prepares and disseminates lessons learned and best practices to improve future global health security programming.
• Contributes to planning and making recommendations for department / program / project concept, operations, and / or implementation.
• Influences design and scope of initiatives and programs.
• Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components.
• Ensures technical implementation is consistent with best practices in the industry / subject and meet client / funder contractual obligations for moderately complex technical units of a functional domain, directing other professional staff members.
• Oversees all day to day technical and activities in the local, country or region.
• Coordinates with technical and programmatic staff members to ensure that activities are performed as per award requirements and consistent with policy.
• Oversees staff members’ assignments.
• Coordinates with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field for situations that are less routine and more unusual.

Staff Leadership and Training:

• May supervise team members, monitor performance, and lead professional development efforts.
• Develops and implements training and competency systems.
• Identifies strategies to address training gaps.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of infectious disease diagnostics and applied knowledge of field implementation and project management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and fluency in English language is desirable.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.