Position: Advisor (Lab Specialist)
Location: New Delhi
About the Organisation
An international non-governmental organization (NGO) working in partnership with national and state governments to strengthen health systems and improve access to high-quality, evidence-based health services. The organization provides technical assistance across public health priorities through practical, scalable solutions, implementation support, and capacity strengthening
About the Position
We are seeking a highly qualified and experienced Advisor (Lab Specialist) to provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership for laboratory systems strengthening initiatives under the GHS projects.
Based in New Delhi, the incumbent will work closely with central and state government counterparts, public health institutions, reference laboratories, technical partners, and project teams to strengthen laboratory capacity, quality systems, diagnostic services, biosafety and biosecurity practices, laboratory networking, and surveillance integration.
Roles and Responsibilities
• Provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of laboratory systems strengthening activities under GHS projects sites.
• Lead the development of annual workplans, budgets, implementation strategies, and operational roadmaps to support laboratory strengthening interventions.
• Represent the organizations for laboratory systems strengthening and maintain effective coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, state health departments, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of laboratory infrastructure, workforce capacity, workflow efficiency, diagnostic capabilities, biosafety and biosecurity practices, quality systems, and equipment maintenance mechanisms.
• Develop and oversee implementation of laboratory improvement plans aimed at strengthening laboratory operations, infrastructure, and service delivery.
• Mentor and support project sites to strengthen technical capacity, operational effectiveness, and institutional sustainability.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, strategic documents, policy briefs, presentations, donor reports, and other knowledge products.
• Represent the organization at national and international technical forums, conferences, consultations, and working groups focused on laboratory systems, diagnostics, surveillance, and global health security.
• Ensure timely reporting of project activities, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned in accordance with organizational and donor requirements.
Qualifications and Experience
• PhD (Microbiology/ Virology/ Pathology) or equivalent advanced degree in Public Health, Biotechnology, Laboratory Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in laboratory systems strengthening, public health laboratory programs, infectious disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, or related technical areas.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, managing, and implementing laboratory strengthening initiatives at national and/or state levels.
• Experience working with State and Central Government of India programs, public health institutions, reference laboratories, and state health systems.
• Experience supporting molecular diagnostics, genomic surveillance initiatives, next-generation sequencing (NGS), metagenomics, or other advanced laboratory technologies is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of national health initiatives and policies, including PM-ABHIM, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Health Mission (NHM), and Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) priorities.
• Experience working on programs related to pandemic, emerging infectious diseases, epidemic preparedness, wastewater surveillance or global health security will be an advantage.
• Prior experience supporting donor-funded programs and contributing to proposal development, technical writing, and resource mobilization efforts is desirable.
Skills and Competencies
• Demonstrated expertise in laboratory systems strengthening, public health laboratory operations, and diagnostic service delivery.
• Comprehensive knowledge of biosafety and biosecurity principles, laboratory quality management systems, accreditation standards, and laboratory information management systems.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and program implementation skills.
• Proven ability to engage effectively with government agencies, development partners, technical institutions, and multi-sectoral stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data and translate findings into actionable recommendations and high-quality technical reports.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong capacity-building, mentoring, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality results within tight timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Hindi.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively within India, as required by program needs.
Interested candidate can send their resume with cover letter at ingojobs29@gmail.com
Due to high volume of applications, only shortlisted applicants will receive a response from HR