Project summary

The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), under the U.S. Department of State-funded Controlling HIV Epidemic Program (CHEP), supports the Government of Zambia in achieving and sustaining HIV epidemic control in line with national and global targets, including the 95-95-95 goals.

The CHEP project focuses on strengthening HIV prevention, care, and treatment services through a person-centered approach, while enhancing maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and Global Health Security (GHS) outcomes. The project operates in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) at national, provincial, district, and facility levels to ensure sustainability, country ownership, and transition readiness.

Job summary

Reports to Provincial Medical Team Lead. The incumbent will provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for laboratory systems strengthening under the CHEP project. The role supports provincial-level implementation of laboratory services aligned with MOH policies, PEPFAR priorities, and Department of State funding expectations, with a strong focus on sustainability, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.

Main duties

• Leads the design and implementation of sustainable laboratory system strengthening interventions aligned with national and PEPFAR guidelines
• Provides technical guidance to Provincial Health Offices (PHO) and implementing partners
• Strengthens specimen referral systems and ensure uninterrupted sample transportation
• Supports optimization of Laboratory Information Systems (DISA, eLABS) for timely results reporting
• Strengthens HIV Rapid Testing Continuous Quality Improvement (RTCQI)
• Supports Point of Care testing scale-up for Viral Load (VL) and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID)
• Strengthens Quality Management Systems (QMS), including biosafety and biosecurity practices
• Provides oversight on waste management systems and compliance
• Develops and implements provincial laboratory strengthening plans aligned with CHEP priorities
• Integrates laboratory services across HIV, MNCH, and GHS platforms
• Supports Diagnostic Network Optimization (DNO) initiatives
• Identifies efficiencies and cost-effective approaches in line with funding guidance
• Promotes routine data use for decision-making
• Monitors performance indicators aligned with PEPFAR and MOH targets
• Prepares timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports
• Strengthens collaboration with MOH, PHO, and implementing partners
• Supervises provincial laboratory staff

Qualifications

• Degree in Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory Sciences, or related field
• Registered with the HPCZ with a valid practicing license
• Member of the Biomedical Society of Zambia
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in laboratory systems strengthening or public health programs
• Strong knowledge of HIV programs, VL/EID systems, Biosafety Biosecurity and QMS
• Experience working with Ministry of Health and implementing partners
• Strong leadership, communication, and data analysis skills

Suitably qualified candidates are invited to apply. However, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Priority will be given to candidates who stay in the towns where we have vacancies.

• Leads the design and implementation of sustainable laboratory system strengthening interventions aligned with national and PEPFAR guidelines
• Provides technical guidance to Provincial Health Offices (PHO) and implementing partners
• Strengthens specimen referral systems and ensure uninterrupted sample transportation
• Supports optimization of Laboratory Information Systems (DISA, eLABS) for timely results reporting
• Strengthens HIV Rapid Testing Continuous Quality Improvement (RTCQI)
• Supports Point of Care testing scale-up for Viral Load (VL) and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID)
• Strengthens Quality Management Systems (QMS), including biosafety and biosecurity practices
• Provides oversight on waste management systems and compliance
• Develops and implements provincial laboratory strengthening plans aligned with CHEP priorities
• Integrates laboratory services across HIV, MNCH, and GHS platforms
• Supports Diagnostic Network Optimization (DNO) initiatives
• Identifies efficiencies and cost-effective approaches in line with funding guidance
• Promotes routine data use for decision-making
• Monitors performance indicators aligned with PEPFAR and MOH targets
• Prepares timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports
• Strengthens collaboration with MOH, PHO, and implementing partners
• Supervises provincial laboratory staff

• Strong leadership skills
• Strong communication skills
• Strong data analysis skills
• Strong knowledge of HIV programs
• Strong knowledge of VL/EID systems
• Strong knowledge of Biosafety Biosecurity
• Strong knowledge of QMS

• Degree in Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory Sciences, or related field
• Registered with the HPCZ with a valid practicing license
• Member of the Biomedical Society of Zambia
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in laboratory systems strengthening or public health programs
• Experience working with Ministry of Health and implementing partners