Associate Director, Laboratory Services at FHI 360

Job Requisition ID: 2025200166

Basic Function

• The Associate Director – Laboratory Services will provide technical leadership and guidance to the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project’s laboratory and diagnostic components for Pandemic preparedness and response including Mpox, Lassa fever and other Global Health Security program activities.
• S/He will be responsible for leading and managing the development and implementation of strategies to strengthen national laboratory systems and diagnostic capacities.
• S/He will work closely with the project management, country-level teams and key stakeholders to ensure high level and reliable laboratory services, leading the development of guidelines and policies for laboratory diagnostic network strengthening activities and participating in technical thought leadership at the country level as relates to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA).

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to the laboratory and diagnostic component of the EpiC project in coordination with other technical areas.
• Provides technical expertise and support in the implementation of laboratory and diagnostic network strengthening activities (e.g., specimen referral, quality assurance, laboratory information management system, scale-up and optimization of new diagnostic tools) in areas such as antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic disease, biosafety and biosecurity, national laboratory system, and surveillance.
• Participate in technical working groups (TWG) pertaining to GHSA, such as the National laboratory Technical Working groups, Antimicrobial Resistance, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), the One Health Platform, the SWAp and Emergency Operation Centers (EOC)
  • to fulfill national objectives and targets, primarily related to strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic services.
• Lead the development and implementation of capacity building and continuous improvement activities in collaboration with partners and stakeholders.
• Work closely with country project management team, partners, and stakeholders to align laboratory and diagnostic activities with overall project goals.
• Prepare, analyze, and disseminate on a regular basis, reports to the Project Director – EpiC and donor on GHSA, One Health and infectious disease issues as well as EpiC project accomplishments as needed.
• Establish and maintain productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders relevant to strengthening National Lab systems including USAID, the MOH and relevant agencies, MOA, MOE, multi-lateral partners such as WHO, FAO and UNICEF, IFRC, and donors such as the World Bank, and civil society groups and local and iNGOs
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Technical Lead and Project Director

Requirements

• PhD in microbiology, molecular Biology, virology, or relevant laboratory science degree with 5-7 years relevant experience with infectious disease diagnostics and/or in laboratory systems strengthening, Pandemic preparedness and response and implementation of Global Health Security program activities.
• Master’s in public health, or similar degrees with 7-9 years relevant experience public health programming with infectious disease diagnostics and/or in laboratory systems strengthening including at least four years specialized laboratory experience in TB/HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, Mpox, Lassa fever and GHS in developing country settings.
• B.Sc. in microbiology, molecular Biology, virology, or relevant laboratory science with a minimum of 9-11 years relevant laboratory experience in infectious disease diagnostics and/or in laboratory systems strengthening with international development programs including at least four years relevant experience in TB/HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, Mpox, Lassa fever, and GHS in developing country settings.
• Familiarity with Nigerian public sector health systems, international donor organizations, NGOs and CBOs is required.
• Demonstrated success in multicultural environments is required.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• Extensive knowledge of laboratory practices, diagnostic techniques, quality assurance systems, and laboratory information management systems.
• Expertise in the development and monitoring of laboratory diagnostic methodology (viral isolation, molecular or serological), standard operating procedures and study design for on-going research studies and for public health surveillance activities.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and manage laboratory strengthening initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity-building activities such as training and mentoring laboratory personnel.
• Sound knowledge of ongoing and emerging issues in relation to TB/HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, Mpox, Lassa fever and GHS.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the political and ethical issues surrounding Global Health Security.
• Proven experience working with government agencies, particularly the Department of Health, is highly desirable to support strategy development, implementation plans, and decision-making.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel in Nigeria minimum of 25%.