Laboratory and Diagnostics Specialist

About the role

The Laboratory and Diagnostics Specialist will provide technical leadership and guidance for the STRIDES project in Uganda, strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic capacities to improve access to quality testing for infectious diseases.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of strategic initiatives to strengthen laboratory and diagnostic services.
• Coordinate with country‑level teams, technical providers and stakeholders to ensure effective, high‑quality laboratory operations.
• Develop guidelines, policies and technical briefs for laboratory network strengthening, including specimen referral and quality assurance.
• Provide technical support for scaling up new diagnostic tools and optimizing existing ones.
• Mentor project staff and subcontractors, building capacity across the laboratory team.
• Conduct laboratory and diagnostic network assessments and report findings with actionable recommendations.
• Contribute to research initiatives aimed at improving laboratory practices and diagnostic outcomes.

Required profile

• Proven experience providing technical leadership and guidance for laboratory and diagnostic services.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with national, regional and local partners.
• Experience in developing technical documents such as guidelines, policies and briefs.
• Strong mentorship and capacity‑building skills for diverse project teams.

Required skills

• Laboratory information management system (LIMS)
• Quality assurance
• Specimen referral processes
• Diagnostic tool implementation and optimization
• Antimicrobial resistance testing
• Zoonotic disease diagnostics
• Biosafety protocols
• Biosecurity protocols