Senior Technical Advisor – Laboratory Services

About the role

The Senior Technical Advisor, Laboratory Services will provide expert technical guidance to strengthen HIV and tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic services across Police, Prisons and public‑sector health facilities in Tanzania. The role supports the implementation of high‑quality laboratory systems, specimen referral networks and integrated diagnostic services in line with national guidelines.

Key responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance for HIV and TB laboratory services, including implementation of diagnostic algorithms, specimen collection, processing, referral and result communication.
• Strengthen facility readiness by optimizing workflow, sample management and client‑centered service integration.
• Introduce and support point‑of‑care testing platforms and advanced HIV disease laboratory packages (CD4, viral load, early infant diagnosis, cryptococcal antigen, cervical cancer screening).
• Develop and enforce laboratory quality management systems, internal quality control, external quality assurance, proficiency testing and corrective actions.
• Conduct routine laboratory quality assessments and monitor compliance with national and project standards.
• Mentor and build capacity of laboratory staff on good laboratory practices, biosafety and continuous quality improvement.
• Facilitate integrated HIV/TB service delivery, ensuring effective collaboration between laboratory, clinical, TB and pharmacy teams.
• Support the design and operation of specimen referral systems for HIV‑ and TB‑related tests.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in public‑health laboratory strengthening, preferably within HIV and TB programs.
• Proven ability to work with ministries, national reference laboratories and implementing partners.
• Strong knowledge of national laboratory standards and guidelines in Tanzania.
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring staff and leading quality improvement initiatives.

Required skills

• HIV diagnostic algorithms and viral load monitoring
• TB diagnostic algorithms and specimen referral systems
• Point‑of‑care testing platforms
• Laboratory quality management systems (internal QC, external QA, proficiency testing)
• CD4 testing, early infant diagnosis, cryptococcal antigen screening, cervical cancer screening
• Specimen collection, processing and result communication