POSITION SUMMARY

Working under the guidance and direction of the Technical Director, the Laboratory advisor will oversee the strengthening of the laboratory management of the HIV/TB care and treatment project in North-Western Province. S/he will provide technical and operational guidance to the provincial and district health offices with regards to continuous access to HIV/TB diagnostics, with particular attention to among others HIV testing including Recency, certification of testers/facilities and routine viral load testing.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Assume accountability and responsibility for the sound execution of the HIV laboratory portfolio in the care and treatment project, focusing on technical assistance to the provincial and district health laboratory services as well as facility-based support.
• Provide high-level guidance, oversight and direction for developing and maintaining key HIV/TB laboratory systems and services.
• Provide technical assistance to the PHO/DHO to oversee laboratory operation and monitoring, training and maintenance in all supported ART sites
• Provide mentorship to the DHO and facility laboratory staff in supply chain and quality management systems
• Assist in the development and implementation of systems of quality control and quality assurance for HIV-related laboratory services
• Collaborate with other partners to scale-up Recency testing in both supported provinces
• Support the PHOs to conduct onsite certification of testers and facilities through onsite capacity building activities.
• Work directly with provincial laboratory PCR specialists in assuring the effective and efficient management of PCR systems and reagents at the VL testing Labs
• Work directly with the provincial/national laboratory staff in charge of viral load testing to ensure access to VL test, including strengthening courier systems for both EID and VL
• Timely completion of other related duties and special assignments, as assigned

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science
• Master’s degree will be an added advantage
• Full Grade 12 certificate

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience working in a large clinical or research laboratory; experience working in a donor funded project an added advantage
• Prior experience with relevant current routine HIV/TB laboratory procedures including viral load, Recency, PCR, hematological, biochemical and microbiological analyses etc.
• Prior experience in training, mentoring, and supervision of laboratory professionals.
• Basic computing skills including Microsoft Excel
• Fluent English oral and written communication skills
• Relevant work experience in a similar position working for an international NGO, will be an added advantage
• Fully registered with the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) with a current practicing license for 2026
• Should have validated qualifications with the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZaQA)

Travel Requirements

• Quarterly travel within the province

• Assume accountability and responsibility for the sound execution of the HIV laboratory portfolio in the care and treatment project, focusing on technical assistance to the provincial and district health laboratory services as well as facility-based support.
• Provide high-level guidance, oversight and direction for developing and maintaining key HIV/TB laboratory systems and services.
• Provide technical assistance to the PHO/DHO to oversee laboratory operation and monitoring, training and maintenance in all supported ART sites
• Provide mentorship to the DHO and facility laboratory staff in supply chain and quality management systems
• Assist in the development and implementation of systems of quality control and quality assurance for HIV-related laboratory services
• Collaborate with other partners to scale-up Recency testing in both supported provinces
• Support the PHOs to conduct onsite certification of testers and facilities through onsite capacity building activities.
• Work directly with provincial laboratory PCR specialists in assuring the effective and efficient management of PCR systems and reagents at the VL testing Labs
• Work directly with the provincial/national laboratory staff in charge of viral load testing to ensure access to VL test, including strengthening courier systems for both EID and VL
• Timely completion of other related duties and special assignments, as assigned

• Basic computing skills including Microsoft Excel
• Fluent English oral and written communication skills

• Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science
• Master’s degree will be an added advantage
• Full Grade 12 certificate
• Fully registered with the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) with a current practicing license for 2026
• Should have validated qualifications with the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZaQA)