ABOUT FHI 360:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of more than 2,000 experts work in over 50 countries around the world.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project is a global health initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State, running from 2019 to 2027. In the Philippines, EpiC has two workplans each with its own technical scope and budget, one focused on achieving HIV epidemic control and one focused on strengthening global health security (GHS). The role outlined in this job description supports EpiCโs GHS workplan.
EpiCโs GHS workplan aims to strengthen national, subnational, and local capacities for the prevention, detection, and response to public health emergencies, including pandemic preparedness. Support is delivered across multiple technical areas, including Zoonotic Diseases, Biosafety and Biosecurity, National Laboratory Systems, Surveillance, Public Health Emergency Management, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and Evidence-Based Public Health Messaging. All activities and sub-activities under each technical area are aligned with and informed by national priorities and strategies, including the National Action Plan for Health Security (2025โ2030), the National Framework of the Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS), and the National Laboratory Strategic Plan (NLSP) 2025โ2030.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Senior Technical Specialist for Laboratory and Diagnostics will provide day-to-day technical leadership and operational support for the design, implementation, and monitoring of project activities on laboratory and diagnostic components. S/He will be responsible for translating strategic guidance into practical, country-level implementation, ensuring project activities are technically sound, timely, and aligned with national priorities.
The Senior Technical Specialist for Laboratory and Diagnostics will lead and manage the implementation and oversight of strategies to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity, laboratory systems and diagnostic capacities. S/He will work closely with the Technical Advisor for laboratory and diagnostics and project leadership, country-level teams, and key stakeholders to ensure high quality and reliable laboratory services. S/He will lead efforts to ensure laboratoryโs compliance with international and national standards and promote integration of innovative diagnostic technologies.
S/He will be responsible managing all laboratory diagnostic network strengthening activities within the assigned geographical locations; provide direct technical support to the Department of Health and its bureaus and regional offices in the development or updating of laboratory strategies, implementation plans, guidelines, and standard operating procedures. S/He will lead the planning and operationalization of activities to improve diagnostic quality, performance, and coordination across the Philippine Laboratory Network.
The Senior Technical Specialist for Laboratory and Diagnostics will serve as the primary technical focal point for implementation, capacity strengthening, and routine engagement with government partners and other relevant stakeholders.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Technical Leadership and Coordination
Work in close collaboration with national, regional, and local counterparts to provide the technical assistance required to fulfill national objectives and targets, especially these related to the strengthening of biosafety and biosecurity, and national laboratory systems.
Provide technical expertise and operational guidance of activities under the laboratory and diagnostics component including strengthening biosafety and biosecurity systems, enhancing laboratory and diagnostic networks, specimen referral systems, quality assurance, laboratory information management system, scale-up and optimization of new diagnostic tools, across technical areas such as zoonotic diseases, biosafety and biosecurity, national laboratory system, surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC), outbreak response, and health emergency management.
Genomic Surveillance for Zoonotic Diseases
Provide technical guidance and support the development and operationalization of genomic surveillance workflows for priority zoonotic diseases, including sequencing protocols, data-sharing pathways, and reporting timelines.
Biosafety, Biosecurity, and IPC in Laboratories
In coordination with the technical advisor/lab and diagnostics, provide technical guidance to support development of laboratory policies, guidelines, SOPs on infection prevention and control (IPC) and biosafety biosecurity measures
Conduct laboratory mapping activity, landscape and risk assessments to identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for strengthening biosafety, biosecurity and IPC systems
Support the implementation of biosafety/ biosecurity, and IPC activities, including training, mentorship, and capacity strengthening for laboratory staff
National Laboratory System
Work with NRL leadership to enhance diagnostic networks, update diagnostic strategies and algorithms, and implement new diagnostic and molecular technologies.
Provide technical expertise to strengthen specimen referral systems including creation of national guidelines for courier registration and certification, development of training modules and SOPs on handling and transport of biological and infectious substances, and designing cost-effective specimen transport models.
Surveillance
Provide technical assistance to strengthen surveillance systems, ensuring effective integration of diagnostics, reporting, and surveillance functions
Support the development, implementation, and optimization of surveillance workflows
Support capacity strengthening laboratories to enhance national surveillance systems
Outbreak Response and Health Emergency Management
Provide technical expertise and work closely with Supply Chain Management Specialist in establishing Emergency Readiness Reserve, and prepositioning essential diagnostic supplies and commodities to ensure continuous and uninterrupted diagnostic services during public health emergencies.
Strategic Assistance, Capacity Building, and Quality Improvement
Lead the development and implementation of strategic assistance and continuous improvement activities
Provide technical assistance, training, and mentorship to laboratory staff including development of SOPs, job aides, and training materials
Provide technical support in the planning, conduct, and reporting of laboratory assessments, audit, and systems reviews in accordance to national policies and standards
Project Planning, Grants Oversight, and Cross-Team Collaboration
Work with project management and technical teams in developing work plans, presentations and reports
Works with other technical teams to support integrated planning, reporting, and representation of the project across relevant platforms
Work closely with the Project Specialist for Grants in monitoring and providing technical oversight for subawards related to biosafety and biosecurity, ensuring compliance, timely implementation of activities, and alignment with project objectives
Partnerships and Other Responsibilities
Foster partnerships with government agencies, national and international organizations, and other relevant entities.
Perform other duties assigned
WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Usual office working conditions
Ability to travel domestically at least 25%
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelorโs degree in microbiology or laboratory sciences, or its international equivalent, in biological sciences within a clinical or diagnostic discipline or specialty
At least 7 years of experience working with infectious disease diagnostics and/or in laboratory systems strengthening
Extensive knowledge of laboratory practices, diagnostic techniques, quality assurance systems, and laboratory information management systems
Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and manage laboratory strengthening initiatives
Demonstrated experience in capacity building activities such as training and mentoring of laboratory personnel
Proven experience working with government agencies, particularly the Department of Health is highly desirable, to support strategy development, implementation plans and decision making.
Experience working with US Government-funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and reporting requirements
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
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.
Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicantsโ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicantโs tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.
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.
FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.
FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others โ and yourself.Please click here to continue searching FHI 360's Career Portal.