Senior Laboratory Coordinator

Senior Laboratory Coordinator Jobs in Lusaka with Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia

The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) is seeking a qualified and experienced professional to fill the role of Senior Laboratory Coordinator based in Lusaka, Zambia. This full-time position focuses on providing critical tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic and laboratory support within the National TB programme. If you are passionate about advancing TB diagnostics and have a strong background in laboratory services, this opportunity to contribute to national health initiatives could be ideal for you.

Role Overview: Senior Laboratory Coordinator Jobs in Lusaka

Reporting directly to the Deputy Chief of Party, the Senior Laboratory Coordinator will lead TB-specific diagnostic support activities, collaborating closely with the TB department and other stakeholders. The role includes overseeing staff training needs, managing quality assurance programs, supporting laboratory information systems, and ensuring effective supplies management. The coordinator will play a pivotal role in strengthening laboratory capacity and quality management systems across primary health care facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of activities aligned with the National TB Strategic Plan.
• Collaborate with partners to optimize resource use and enhance inter- and intra-district specimen courier systems.
• Work alongside the Ministry of Health and National Tuberculosis Control Program to provide technical laboratory support at all levels.
• Facilitate the rollout and support of laboratory information systems, including C360, DISA-Lab, and eLAB.
• Build capacity of Ministry of Health laboratory staff through training and mentorship on GeneXpert, smear microscopy, external quality assessment (EQA), DataToCare connectivity platform, and other diagnostic tools.
• Support installation, training, maintenance, and proficiency monitoring of GeneXpert MTB/RIF technology and other new diagnostic tools.
• Coordinate specimen transport systems and ensure timely result feedback.
• Enhance collaboration between laboratory focal points and technical partners for GeneXpert support and maintenance.
• Conduct assessments of primary care facilities and develop plans to build TB diagnostic capacity.
• Contribute to the development and strengthening of quality management systems (QMS) at peripheral laboratories.
• Collaborate with the national TB reference laboratory to plan diagnostic expansion, training, and EQA activities.
• Develop work plans and budgets for TB diagnostic support under the USAID TB LON program.
• Work closely with TB mentors to foster collaboration between clinical and laboratory teams.
• Provide technical support to the National TB programme as required.
• Represent CIDRZ in relevant technical working groups and participate in the revision of national TB guidelines and strategic plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Candidate Requirements

• Grade 12 Certificate.
• Diploma in Biomedical Sciences or a recognized equivalent qualification.
• Minimum of five years’ experience supporting TB programmatic laboratory services.
• Proven experience in TB diagnostic settings, particularly at primary health facility level.
• Familiarity with GeneXpert connectivity software.
• Demonstrated expertise conducting external quality assessments (EQA) for microscopy and GeneXpert in primary care laboratories.
• Experience supporting installation, training, maintenance, and proficiency monitoring of GeneXpert MTB/RIF technology.
• Proven capacity building and training experience for primary health care staff on TB diagnostic tools used nationally.
• Knowledge of WHO accreditation systems for primary health care TB laboratories.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

How to Apply

Interested and suitably qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by visiting the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia’s official job portal at
http://www.cidrz.org/jobs/.

Job Details