Laboratory Services Officer at Amref Health Africa

Dar es-Salaam, Coastal Zone, Tanzania -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

16 Feb, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

18 Nov, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Laboratory Management, Molecular Biology, Quality Management Systems, Data Management, Mentorship, Biosafety, Technical Leadership, HIV Testing, TB Testing, Sample Processing, Training, Accreditation, Inventory Management, Collaboration, Performance Analysis, Continuous Quality Improvement

Industry

Hospitals and Health Care

Description

Company Description Amref Health Africa - Tanzania is a non-profit public health organization supporting the Government of Tanzania to address public health issues including maternal and child health, HIV, TB, Malaria, and Nutrition in Tanzania 1987. Amref Health Africa in Tanzania is funded by The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through CDC Tanzania, to execute a robust HIV care and treatment clinical cascade project aiming to accelerate the achievement of the current 95-95-95 goals and the HIV epidemic control in Tanzania. Branded as Afya Thabiti, this project has been implemented in Mara, Simiyu, and Zanzibar since October 2023 and expanded to Dar es Salaam starting January 2026 covering facility and community-based prevention, care, and treatment services. Afya Thabiti works in collaboration and with guidance from the Tanzania Ministry of Health, Zanzibar Ministry of Health, and President’s Office Regions Authority and Local Government (PORALG). That said, Amref Health Africa -Tanzania is announcing the following vacancies to be filled soon: Job Description The Laboratory Officer (LO) provides technical leadership to ensure high-quality, efficient and sustainable laboratory services that support comprehensive HIV and TB prevention, care and treatment programs in the region and surveillance projects. The officer directly manages the Temeke Specialized Laboratory, which serves as a referral and testing center for HIV Viral Load (VL), HIV Drug Resistance (HIVDR), HIV Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), HPV DNA and other specialized testing. S/he works closely with AMREF program, regional and council laboratory teams, health facility laboratories, and partners including MoH, NACP, NTLP, NHL-QATC, CDC, Implementing Partners and other stakeholders to strengthen laboratory systems, quality management, and integration of advanced molecular testing platforms. Duties and Responsibilities Service Delivery: Plan, organize, and oversee daily operations of the Temeke Specialized Laboratory to ensure efficient workflow, service delivery, optimal performance, compliance with biosafety standards and timely delivery of high-quality test results. Ensure proper sample reception, processing, storage and result dispatch systems to optimize turnaround times and data integrity. Supervise and coordinate staff schedules, workload distribution and duty rosters to ensure adequate coverage for all testing sections (VL, EID, HIVDR and HPV DNA). Supervise and mentor regional and council program officers to ensure effective collection, management, transportation and processing of samples across supported facilities. Conduct mentorship, training and on-the-job capacity building for laboratory staff and healthcare workers at Temeke Specialized Laboratory and supported facilities Provide overall technical and coordination for implementation of AMREF -supported laboratory services for HIV and TB care and treatment programs in the region. Review and approve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), job aids, manuals and documentation to ensure consistency and compliance with quality standards. Coordinate preventive maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting and servicing of laboratory equipment to ensure minimal downtime Ensure reliable availability and accountability of laboratory commodities through accurate consumption, forecasting, quantification and supply chain management in collaboration with the program logistics team and Medical Stores Department (MSD) Work in Collaboration with SCM advisor to monitor stock levels, maintain accurate inventory records, and coordinate timely requisitions through Amref and MSD systems. Strengthen laboratory workforce competencies in molecular diagnostics, biosafety, data management and QMS implementation. Lead coordination of HIVDR surveillance and monitoring activities at Temeke Specialized Laboratory, ensuring adherence to CADRE protocols Ensure integrity of HIVDR data, proper storage of specimens and reagents, and timely submission of results to relevant authorities (CTLC, CADRE e.t.c) Strengthen collaboration with other laboratories to build strong laboratory network to ensure continuity of testing activities Ensure prudent use and accountability of financial, human and material resources allocated to laboratory activities. Oversee biosafety and biosecurity compliance at Temeke Specialized Laboratory and supported facilities. Develop contingency and corrective action plans for identified laboratory system gaps or risks. Orient new staff and students on laboratory procedures, safety, and quality practices. Data Management and Quality Improvement Ensure that Temeke Specialized Laboratory and supported facilities implement and maintain laboratory quality management systems (QMS) in alignment with ISO 15189 and SLMTA standards. Coordinate participation of Labs in internal quality control (IQC) and external quality assessment (EQA) programs, including proficiency testing for VL, EID, CD4, HIVDR, HIVRT and HPV DNA assays Maintain accurate documentation of quality activities, including non-conformities, corrective actions, and continuous improvement records. Support continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives and guide laboratories toward accreditation readiness and maintenance. Lead quality audits, proficiency testing reviews, IQC reviews and accreditation processes Ensure adherence to test validation and verification protocols for all assays. Conduct staff performance appraisals, identify training needs and support professional development through mentorship and in-service training. Ensure accurate and timely sample registration and entry of laboratory test results into laboratory information system (LIS) and tools. Analyze laboratory performance data and provide routine feedback to staff and program team for improvement Prepare periodic performance reports (daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly) on laboratory testing activities, achievements, and challenges Track and monitor laboratory quality indicators and contribute to data-driven decision-making to improve sample quality, turnaround times, testing error rate, equipment downtime, reagent stockouts, capacity utilization etc. Compliance and Standard Contribute to maintaining fidelity in the laboratory procedures and processes, ensuring accuracy, consistency and reliability in laboratory results and data Promote medical and laboratory ethics, patient confidentiality and non-discriminatory service delivery. Promote stigma free and confidential services that respect patient rights and dignity. Qualifications Qualifications, Experience & Skills Required: A minimum qualification of a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory sciences/ molecular biology, with knowledge and skills in molecular biology, Good Clinical Laboratory Practices, and Quality management systems. Proven competence in working in Molecular Laboratory with at least 5 years of Handson experience as a senior Laboratory supervisor /Manager position Knowledge and skills in laboratory mentorship on quality improvement is an added advantage. Sound understanding of the Molecular laboratory settings, testing flows, and laboratory data analysis Experience in M&E as it relates to laboratory services (Including LIS, eSRS, and GX-alert) Proven critical analysis skills and report writing skills Experience working with Local Government Authorities and PEPFAR funded project Good interpersonal and people management skills-a team player and builder. Additional Information Please include a cover letter that highlights why you believe you are an ideal candidate for this role, along with your CV showcasing your relevant skills and experience. The application deadline is Friday, 25 November 2025. Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Although Amref may use different job boards from time to time to further spread its reach for applicants, all open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly also note that official emails from Amref Health Africa will arrive from an @amref.org address. Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is is dedicated to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer with a non-smoking environment policy.

Responsibilities

The Laboratory Services Officer provides technical leadership to ensure high-quality laboratory services supporting HIV and TB prevention and treatment programs. They manage the Temeke Specialized Laboratory and collaborate with various stakeholders to strengthen laboratory systems and quality management.