Job Vacancy: Laboratory Services Officer

Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Employment Type: Full-time
Opportunity Type: Current Opening

 Company Description

Amref Health Africa – Tanzania is a non-profit public health organization supporting the Government of Tanzania in addressing critical health issues such as maternal and child health, HIV, TB, malaria, and nutrition since 1987.

The organization implements the PEPFAR/CDC-funded Afya Thabiti Project, designed to accelerate progress toward the 95-95-95 HIV epidemic control goals. The project has been active in Mara, Simiyu, and Zanzibar since October 2023 and expanded to Dar es Salaam in January 2026, supporting facility- and community-level HIV prevention, care, and treatment services.

Amref works in collaboration with the Tanzania Ministry of Health, Zanzibar Ministry of Health, and PORALG.

 Position: Laboratory Services Officer

Job Description

The Laboratory Officer (LO) provides technical leadership to ensure high-quality, efficient, and sustainable laboratory services supporting HIV and TB prevention, care, treatment, and surveillance activities.

The officer oversees the Temeke Specialized Laboratory, a key referral and testing center for HIV Viral Load (VL), Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), HIV Drug Resistance (HIVDR), HPV DNA, and other specialized assays.

S/he collaborates with AMREF program teams, regional and council laboratory units, health facility staff, and national partners including MoH, NACP, NTLP, NHL-QATC, CDC, and other stakeholders to strengthen laboratory systems, quality management, and advanced molecular diagnostics.

 Duties and Responsibilities

1. Service Delivery

• Manage daily operations of the Temeke Specialized Laboratory to ensure efficient workflow, compliance with biosafety standards, and high-quality test results.
• Oversee sample reception, processing, storage, and results dispatch for optimal turnaround time and data quality.
• Coordinate staff schedules, workload distribution, and duty rosters across VL, EID, HIVDR, and HPV DNA sections.
• Mentor regional and council program officers in sample collection, transportation, and processing.
• Conduct mentorship and training for laboratory staff and healthcare workers at Temeke and supported facilities.
• Provide technical oversight for AMREF-supported HIV/TB laboratory services.
• Review and approve SOPs, job aids, manuals, and documentation.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and servicing.
• Ensure commodity availability and accountability through forecasting, quantification, and collaboration with MSD.
• Work with the Supply Chain Advisor to monitor stock levels and manage timely requisitions.
• Strengthen laboratory competencies in molecular diagnostics, biosafety, data management, and QMS.
• Lead HIVDR surveillance and monitoring activities following CADRE protocols.
• Ensure integrity of HIVDR data, specimen storage, and timely results submission.
• Foster collaboration with other laboratories to strengthen the national laboratory network.
• Ensure effective management of financial, material, and human resources.
• Oversee biosafety and biosecurity compliance.
• Develop contingency and corrective action plans for laboratory system gaps.
• Orient new staff and students on laboratory procedures, safety, and quality practices.

2. Data Management and Quality Improvement

• Ensure implementation of Quality Management Systems (QMS) in alignment with ISO 15189 and SLMTA.
• Coordinate participation in IQC, EQA, and proficiency testing for VL, EID, CD4, HIVDR, HIVRT, and HPV DNA assays.
• Maintain documentation of quality activities, non-conformities, corrective actions, and continuous improvement records.
• Lead quality audits, IQC reviews, proficiency testing assessments, and accreditation processes.
• Ensure adherence to assay validation and verification protocols.
• Conduct staff performance appraisals, identify training needs, and support professional development.
• Ensure accurate entry of sample and test data into the Laboratory Information System (LIS).
• Analyze laboratory performance and provide feedback for improvement.
• Prepare daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly performance reports.
• Monitor laboratory quality indicators such as turnaround times, error rates, stockouts, equipment downtime, and sample quality.

3. Compliance and Standards

• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and reliability of laboratory procedures and results.
• Promote medical laboratory ethics, patient confidentiality, and non-discriminatory service delivery.
• Support stigma-free, confidential, and dignified laboratory services.

 Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences or Molecular Biology.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in molecular laboratory settings at a senior supervisory or management level.
• Competence in molecular diagnostics, laboratory workflows, and data analysis.
• Experience in quality improvement and laboratory mentorship is an added advantage.
• Experience in M&E for laboratory services (e.g., LIS, eSRS, GX-alert).
• Strong analytical and report writing skills.
• Experience working with LGAs and PEPFAR-funded programs.
• Strong interpersonal and people management skills; a team player and team builder.

 Additional Information

Include a cover letter explaining why you are the ideal candidate, along with your CV demonstrating relevant experience.

Application Deadline: Friday, 25 November 2025

 Important Notice

• Amref does not charge fees at any stage of recruitment.
• All official vacancies are posted on the Amref website and official social media pages.
• Official emails come from an @amref.org address.
• Amref is committed to safeguarding children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
• Amref is an equal-opportunity employer and maintains a non-smoking workplace.

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