Job Title: National Technical Advisor – Laboratory Systems/Deployment
Location: Abuja
Job Type: Full-time
Job Field: Public Health
Purpose of the Job
- The National Technical Advisor – Laboratory Systems/Deployment will provide strategic technical leadership and oversight for the planning, deployment, integration, and scale-up of near-point-of-care (nPOC) TB diagnostic tools across project-supported facilities and decentralized service-delivery points in Nigeria.
- Working closely with the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP), State TB Programmes, laboratory networks, and other relevant stakeholders, the Advisor Laboratory Systems/Deployment will strengthen laboratory systems, assess and enhance facility readiness, and ensure the optimal functionality, utilization, and quality management of deployed diagnostic tools.
- This role will drive adherence to national laboratory standards, strengthen quality assurance systems, build the technical capacity of laboratory personnel, and address operational and logistical bottlenecks to ensure reliable, accessible, and quality-assured TB diagnostic services.
Reporting Line:
- Reports to the KNCV Nigeria’s Chief Scientific Officer and coordinates closely with the Head of Laboratory Services NTP, the nPOC Technical Working Group (TWG), national and state laboratory structures, facility teams, ICT personnel, and relevant diagnostic technology partners.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Conduct or coordinate site-readiness assessments covering infrastructure, power supply, staffing, workflow, biosafety, and connectivity requirements.
- Support development and implementation of deployment plans, operational checklists, standard operating procedures, and site-level guidance.
- Coordinate technical aspects of device installation, commissioning, user orientation, and integration into approved diagnostic algorithms.
- Support implementation of laboratory quality management systems, internal quality control, and applicable external quality assurance processes.
- Provide technical support for troubleshooting, maintenance coordination, device functionality, and consumables availability.
- Monitor device utilization, downtime, and operational challenges, ensuring that issues are documented, escalated, and followed through.
- Coordinate with NTP, laboratory focal persons, state quality-assurance structures, and relevant technical partners.
- Provide mentorship and support to designated state-level super-users and facility personnel.
- Promote adherence to national guidelines, biosafety, and infection-prevention requirements.
- Contribute to deployment reviews, technical reports, and documentation of implementation lessons.
Deliverables:
- Site-readiness assessment reports.
- Deployment plans and operational guidance.
- Technical reports on device functionality, utilization, and quality.
- Documented troubleshooting and corrective-action records.
- Technical inputs to project reports and learning materials.
Skills and Qualifications
- Advanced Degree in Medical Laboratory, Biomedical Science, Laboratory Technology, or a related field
- At least 8–10 years of progressive professional experience in laboratory systems strengthening, TB diagnostics, laboratory quality management, or diagnostic network deployment, preferably within donor-funded public-health programmes.
- Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership and strategic oversight for the deployment, scale-up, and operationalization of diagnostic tools across multiple states or large-scale health programmes.
- Proven expertise in laboratory quality management systems, quality assurance, biosafety, equipment maintenance systems, and diagnostic service-delivery optimization.
- Experience engaging with national and subnational government health institutions, technical working groups, laboratory networks, and development partners.
- Strong capacity to translate national policies and technical standards into practical implementation frameworks and provide high-level technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent strategic planning, stakeholder coordination, technical writing, and presentation skills.
What do we offer?
- A full-time (40 hours per week) fixed-term contract for a year, with the intention of extending the contract depending on funding and performance.
- Fast-paced and result-oriented culture.
- An informal work atmosphere in an international environment where initiative is appreciated.
- A highly motivated and diverse team of experienced, self-driven colleagues.
- Frequent capacity building and training.
- KNCV Nigeria has its own employment conditions scheme.
Application Closing Date
20th November, 2026.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply below USING APPLY ONLINE NOW BUTTON
Note
- We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.
- Due to the influx of applications, only shortlisted candidates may receive feedback on the recruitment process.
- Any successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.
- KNCV Nigeria is against any form of sexual harassment and abuse.
- There may be travel requirements and opportunities within Nigeria