TERMS OF REFERENC
Position: Laboratory Technical Assistant (Consultant)
Number of positions: 01
Duty station :New Delhi, with travel to project locations as required
Duration :12 months; anticipated 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027 (fixed-term consultancy)
Organization: Society for Health Allied Research and Education, Hyderabad (SHARE INDIA)
About SHARE INDIA
Society for Health Allied Research and Education, Hyderabad (SHARE INDIA) was formed and registered in 1986 as a research society and is recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. SHARE INDIA works to strengthen health systems, improve access to quality health services, and build capacity for public health innovation and research. Its portfolio includes technical assistance to government institutions, workforce development, implementation support, and public health research undertaken with national and international partners.
About the BOLSTER Surveillance Project
Under the BOLSTER Surveillance Project, supported through collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), SHARE INDIA works with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), and other government partners to strengthen laboratory-based surveillance, diagnostic services, and outbreak detection and response. The project provides technical assistance to identified public health laboratories and supports development and adaptation of guidelines, standard operating procedures, technical tools, and training materials; laboratory quality systems; specimen referral; diagnostic readiness; data quality and reporting; workforce capacity-building; mentoring; and implementation support. Activities are undertaken in accordance with priorities identified jointly with relevant government stakeholders.
Purpose of the Position
The Laboratory Technical Assistant will provide hands-on technical and documentation support to identified public health laboratories. The role will contribute to routine laboratory operations, specimen and inventory management, implementation of quality and biosafety practices, development and institutionalization of standard operating procedures, training support, and operational readiness.
Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities
• Support specimen receipt, verification, accessioning, labelling, processing, storage, referral, and record maintenance in accordance with approved SOPs and assigned scope of practice.
• Assist in setting up and maintaining registers, worksheets, temperature logs, equipment records, stock records, referral records, and electronic data entries required for laboratory operations.
• Support inventory management for reagents, consumables, reference materials, and personal protective equipment, including stock counts, minimum/maximum levels, expiry tracking, and timely escalation of shortages.
• Assist with routine equipment readiness checks, cleaning, maintenance schedules, calibration/verification records, and coordination of service requirements.
• Follow and reinforce biosafety, biosecurity, waste-management, spill-response, decontamination, and incident-reporting procedures.
• Contribute to drafting, formatting, piloting, revising, and maintaining SOPs, bench aids, checklists, forms, and document-control records for routine surveillance and public health event response.
• Support the design and delivery of trainings for laboratory personnel, including preparation of materials, demonstrations, practical exercises, participant documentation, and post-training follow-up.
• Assist technical staff during verification of essential diagnostic workflows and outbreak-response readiness exercises; promptly report non-conformities or safety concerns to the designated supervisor.
• Support coordination meetings, mentoring activities, monthly status updates, and other laboratory-strengthening tasks assigned within the consultant's competence.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
• Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) of at least two years' duration from a recognized institution/ B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology (B.Sc. MLT) / BMLT/ Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS)
• At least two years of post-qualification experience in a diagnostic, clinical, public health, reference, or research laboratory.
• Registration with the relevant state/competent authority, where such registration is applicable.
• Working knowledge of specimen handling, basic laboratory equipment, biosafety, quality documentation, inventory control, and laboratory records.
Desirable
• Experience in a well-established private-sector diagnostic laboratory or hospital laboratory.
• Exposure to molecular diagnostics, microbiology, automated laboratory platforms, laboratory information systems, or referral-laboratory operations.
• Training in biosafety, quality management systems, internal quality control, or sample transport.
Required Skills and Competencies
• Meticulous record-keeping, adherence to SOPs, safety awareness, and willingness to learn new systems.
• Ability to work effectively under the technical supervision of medical and scientific laboratory personnel.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, and electronic data-entry systems.
• Clear communication, teamwork, reliability, integrity, and ability to manage time-sensitive tasks.
• Working proficiency in English and Hindi.
Reporting, Coordination and Travel
Each selected consultant will report to the Program Lead/Project Director, SHARE INDIA, with day-to-day technical coordination with designated laboratory and government focal points. Regular progress updates and timely submission of agreed outputs will be required. The consultant will coordinate with relevant project, government, laboratory, and technical counterparts as applicable. Travel within India may be required for consultations, assessments, trainings, mentoring visits, and implementation reviews.
Contract Period and Remuneration
This is a full-time, fixed-term consultancy engagement for an anticipated period of 12 months, up to 30 September 2027. Continuation throughout the stated period will be subject to satisfactory performance, project requirements, and availability of funds. The engagement does not imply automatic renewal beyond the stated end date.
Remuneration will be competitive and commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, and last drawn remuneration, in accordance with SHARE INDIA policies.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send an updated curriculum vitae and a concise cover letter explaining their suitability for the position to hr@shareindia.org. The email subject line should use “Application for Laboratory Technical Assistant (Consultant)”. The application deadline and any additional submission requirements will be as specified in the vacancy announcement. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Last date for receipt of applications: September 22, 2026.
Additional Note
SHARE INDIA is an equal opportunity organization. Selection will be based on merit and suitability for the assignment. Canvassing in any form may result in disqualification.