Laboratory and Diagnostic officer

Laboratory and Diagnostics Officer

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, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, 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 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

FHI 360 has worked in Cameroon many years. FHI 360 has 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 Cameroon, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 Cameroon delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services—including HIV and nutrition, tuberculosis, global health security, and economic participation.

Project Background

The Strengthening Infections Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) Activity, a global project led by FHI 360, is a critical addition to the U.S. government's (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) response with its focus on improving disease detection, surveillance, data collection, analysis, and reporting systems worldwide. Too many inadequate surveillance and diagnostic systems in countries hinder their ability to rapidly and effectively prevent, detect, report, and respond to the ever-increasing threat from epidemics, pandemics, and novel infectious diseases that pose a risk to U.S. national security. Through STRIDES, by strengthening surveillance, detection, and reporting systems and driving them to meet international quality and safety standards, the United States will help achieve the goal of halting outbreaks before they spread by supporting human and animal health systems to provide quality, sustainable services.

Position Summary

The Laboratory and Diagnostics Officer provides hands-on technical implementation support for STRIDES Activity's laboratory/diagnostic strategy to support implementation. S/He will provide technical assistance to STRIDES in-country staff, including supporting technical requirements in workplan design and quality assurance. The STRIDES Laboratory and Diagnostic Officer implements and monitors technical initiatives including the development of reports and technical materials. Working closely with the Laboratory and Diagnostic Advisor and in-country and Headquarter (HQ) STRIDES teams, S/He will support implementation by evaluating programmatic effectiveness, overseeing technical aspects, and providing technical assessment reports regarding STRIDES objective 1 (National Laboratory Systems).

Key Responsibilities

Technical Requirements

• Provides day-to-day technical implementation support to project staff for the laboratory and diagnostic services component of the project including molecular diagnostics, genomic sequencing, AMR, quality management systems.
• Monitors and maintains project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials, and reports related to the technical area of expertise.
• Works in close collaboration with assigned team to provide technical assistance required to fulfill project objectives and targets, primarily related to strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic services.
• Contributes to the development and writing of technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate assessments, best practices, policies, and procedures.
• Supports implementation of laboratory network strengthening activities, including specimen referral, quality assurance, laboratory information management system, training across relevant GHS technical areas, including antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic diseases, biosafety/biosecurity, diagnostic networks, and surveillance.
• Supports scale-up and optimization of molecular diagnostics and genomic sequencing tools, including PCR and sequencing platforms, ensuring laboratories adhere to approved workflows, SOPs, and quality requirements.
• Supports diagnostic network and laboratory capacity assessments including the reporting of findings and recommendations and implements follow-up actions.
• Contributes to research initiatives to improve laboratory practices and diagnostic outcomes.

Project Implementation

• Promotes adopting and integrating new diagnostic technologies, tools, and methodologies based on the country's needs and priorities for project implementation.
• Supports development and implementation of laboratory- and diagnostic-related components of project work plans, including activity sequencing, site-level inputs, and tracking of deliverables
• Conducts analysis of project implementation to identify areas for improvement and proposes appropriate technical strategies to manage risks, overcome barriers, and advance project objectives.
• Monitors project activities, results, and deliverables and identify issues to raise to management.
• Supports integration of laboratory diagnostic data into national platforms

Client Support

• Assists with the preparation and drafting of work plans, presentations, and reports for the donor and other key stakeholders.
• Participate in meetings and forums as required.

Project/Program Reporting

• Supports the preparation of reports and papers summarizing project results and analyzing data sets, including technical assessment findings.
• Contributes to creating technical content (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts) related to project activities, results, and outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

• Extensive working knowledge of laboratory and diagnostic-related concepts, practices, and procedures
• Broad knowledge of SOP development and biosafety/biosecurity standards.
• Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
• 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 French.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to 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.
• Problem Solving & Impact:
• Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require review of various factors.
• Exercises good judgment in selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.
• Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff

Supervision Given/Received

• Has no supervisory responsibility.
• Reports to STRIDES Country Laboratory/Diagnostics Advisor.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in microbiology or its international equivalent in biological sciences within a clinical or diagnostic discipline or specialty.
• Typically requires 4+ years of relevant experience working with infectious disease diagnostics and/or in laboratory systems strengthening.
• Demonstrated experience with training, and supervision of laboratory staff on molecular diagnostics, sequencing, QA/QC, and biosafety/biosecurity
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private company.
• Prior work experience with USG-funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and reporting requirements is preferred.
• Broad knowledge of laboratory practices, diagnostic techniques, quality assurance systems, and laboratory information management systems in human, veterinary, and/or environmental health sectors.
• Knowledge and understanding of infectious diseases, their transmission, and the application of methods and procedures to safely control infectious materials.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and support laboratory strengthening initiatives.
• Proven experience working with government agencies is highly desirable to support strategy development, implementation plans, and decision-making.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in English and French language is required

Typical Physical Demands

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift/move up to 2.5kg.

Technology to be Used

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• 25-45%

Location: Cameroon

The expected hiring salary range for this role is XAF 11,500,000 - 15,000,000 for annual gross salary for national local hire. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay, and budget. For internal candidates, salary placement will also follow FHI 360's current promotional increase guidelines