Project Description:
Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is an eight-year (2019–2027) global health initiative project funded by the United States Government (USG). EpiC has a global presence and extensive breadth and depth of technical experience. In FY26, EpiC’s scope in Jamaica will focus on strengthening global health security (GHS) capacity and systems, which may include strengthening outbreak preparedness and response systems, laboratory systems, risk communication and community engagement, and health emergency management.
Job Summary:
Provides technical guidance on laboratory strengthening, improving policies, projects, or delivery of service. Provides final authorization and approval of the technical portions of project design, based on the design and direction set by technical leadership. May manage consultants. Leads project activities and sub activities and assists with project implementation. Ensures project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing project implementation. Oversees project timelines and budgets. Assists in the development of donor reports and presentations. Successfully leads start-up initiatives including project design, budgeting, and recruitment efforts (success is measured in terms of establishment of partnerships, recruitment of teams and overall quality of resulting initiatives). Develops indicators for use by supervisor.
The Laboratory Technical Advisor (LTA) leads EpiC Jamaica’s technical support for laboratory systems strengthening and capacity building at designated public health laboratories in Jamaica. Reporting to the EpiC Jamaica Project Director and working closely with the Project Manager, the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Technical Advisor, sub-contractors, and the relevant Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) staff, the LTA provides strategic technical leadership and evidence-based guidance for the design, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of laboratory systems, including laboratory assessments, quality management systems, diagnostic networks, laboratory data analysis and reporting, accreditation readiness, and capacity-building programs and tools. The LTA supports the MOHW in enhancing laboratory quality, operational efficiency, and access to diagnostic services in alignment with national priorities and internationally accepted laboratory standards, guidelines, and best practices. The role also provides scientific leadership by remaining current with evolving laboratory technologies, standards, and program developments and sharing this knowledge with project-supported laboratories, stakeholders, and project staff to ensure technically sound, high-quality, and sustainable laboratory systems.
Accountabilities:
Working in close collaboration with the MOHW, the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), designated health facilities, implementing partners, donor stakeholders, and laboratory quality organizations, the Laboratory Technical Advisor will:
Specific Technical Responsibilities:
Provide high-quality technical leadership and advisory support in laboratory quality management systems and laboratory strengthening initiatives.
Lead and coordinate project-supported laboratory strengthening initiatives, including laboratory quality management systems (QMS), quality assurance (QA), and quality control (QC) programs.
Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of laboratory quality systems at designated sites in alignment with nationally and internationally accepted standards and guidelines.
Conduct, coordinate, and report on laboratory assessments for supported laboratories and health facilities.
Develop and support implementation of corrective and preventive action plans and continuous quality improvement initiatives arising from laboratory assessments.
Provide technical assistance to designated laboratories to address identified gaps and achieve agreed performance improvement goals.
Support laboratories in preparing for accreditation and progressing toward compliance with local, regional, and international accreditation standards and frameworks.
Support development and strengthening of specimen referral, management, and transportation systems to improve access to diagnostic services and integration with existing national systems.
Stay current with evolving laboratory science, diagnostic technologies, quality standards, and programmatic developments, and disseminate relevant updates to project-supported laboratories and stakeholders.
Project Design, Start-up and Implementation
With technical oversight, provide technical leadership in design, development, planning, implementation, and capacity building of lab strengthening component.
Ensure assigned activities are implemented in accordance with national standards, organizational standards, donor requirements, organizational best practices, and accepted laboratory best practices.
Support des