TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position :Specialist – Lab system strengthening
Number of positions :02
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 consultants will provide specialist technical support for strengthening laboratory systems across identified public health laboratories. The role will contribute to specimen referral and transport, diagnostic readiness, laboratory quality and biosafety, diagnostic frameworks, training, mentoring, and development of practical technical guidance. Specific assignments will be determined by SHARE INDIA according to project priorities and the selected candidates' expertise.
Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities
• Provide technical advice on laboratory systems, specimen management, diagnostic algorithms, biosafety, quality assurance, and referral-network functions.
• Review existing national/state specimen referral arrangements, transport practices, forms, packaging requirements, cold-chain arrangements, turnaround times, and communication pathways.
• Develop or revise a standardized specimen referral and transport protocol covering test/referral criteria, collection, labelling, packaging, storage, chain of custody, transport, receipt, rejection, incident management, result communication, and feedback.
• Map roles and responsibilities of specimen collection sites, identified public health laboratories, referral facilities, transport providers, surveillance units, and program managers.
• Design and deliver trainings and orientations for laboratory personnel; prepare presentations, case exercises, competency checks, job aids, and training reports.
• Apply standardized diagnostic readiness tools at identified public health laboratories and document diagnostic capacity, workforce, equipment, platforms, quality systems, biosafety, informatics, supply-chain, and surge-readiness gaps.
• Translate assessment findings into prioritized, feasible strengthening actions with indicative sequencing, responsibilities, and dependencies.
• Facilitate technical consultations; document decisions and revise technical products in response to stakeholder review.
• Provide mentoring, coordination, progress reporting, and project-related travel support as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
• MBBS degree with MD/DNB in Microbiology or Pathology from an institution recognized by the National Medical Commission or the relevant statutory authority.
• Valid registration with the appropriate medical council, where applicable.
• Demonstrated technical understanding of clinical/public health laboratory practice, specimen management, diagnostic methods, and quality assurance.
Desirable
• Experience or advanced exposure in public health laboratory networks, specimen referral systems, biosafety, quality management systems, or outbreak diagnostics.
• Familiarity with ISO 15189/NABL/NQAS requirements, multiplex molecular platforms, genomic sequencing, bioinformatics, or rapid assay verification/adaptation.
• Prior work with government health programs, reference laboratories, teaching institutions, or international public health partners.
Required Skills and Competencies
• Strong technical judgement, problem-solving ability, and skill in developing practical laboratory protocols and diagnostic frameworks.
• Ability to facilitate multidisciplinary consultations and train laboratory professionals effectively.
• Excellent scientific writing, presentation, coordination, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; ability to manage multiple outputs within agreed timelines.
• Excellent written and spoken English; working knowledge of Hindi is desirable.
Reporting, Coordination and Travel
Each selected consultant will report to the Program Lead/Project Director, SHARE INDIA, with technical coordination with CDC. 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 Consultant - Medical Microbiology/Pathology”. 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.