Public Health Laboratory Expert

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PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing heath challenges. 

About the Project

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has launched a dedicated Metropolitan Disease Surveillance Strengthening component under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). Covering 20 cities across India, this initiative is supported by the World Bank through the Transforming India’s Public Health Systems for Pandemic Preparedness Program (PHSPP). PATH has been selected as a key partner in establishing a Technical Support Unit (TSU) to provide expert guidance in the design and implementation of this initiative. The TSU will provide strategic direction and technical support for the initial two years of the program, leveraging global experience and best practices to strengthen metropolitan disease surveillance. The primary objective is to facilitate operationalization, address challenges, and promote innovations as global public goods.
 

Position Overview

PATH is seeking for Public Health Laboratory Expert on Third Party Payroll- (Randstad). The Public Health Laboratory Expert will play a pivotal role in guiding the strategic implementation, monitoring, and enhancement of the metropolitan disease surveillance program. This role involves close collaboration with national health authorities, stakeholders, and technical partners to ensure the success and sustainability of the program. The Consultant will lead efforts to improve public health laboratory infrastructure, enhance quality assurance processes, and strengthen laboratory-based surveillance across metropolitan cities.

Duty Location: National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Laboratory Infrastructure Assessment: Conduct assessments of public health laboratory infrastructure, staffing, and capabilities across selected metropolitan cities. Draw on the global best practices to provide recommendations for improvement and modernization.

• Private Sector Engagement: Develop strategies to enhance private sector participation in laboratory-based disease surveillance, including options for integration with public health systems and improving collaboration between stand-alone laboratories, hospital-attached laboratories, and national networks.

• Quality Assurance and Standards: Evaluate existing laboratory quality assurance systems and develop actionable plans to address critical gaps. Introduce global best practices to strengthen laboratory standards, protocols, and accreditation processes.

• Training and Capacity Building: Design and implement training programs for laboratory personnel to ensure adherence to national and international standards, with a focus on quality control, biosafety, and emerging disease diagnostics.

• Coordination and Technical Support: Work closely with state and national health agencies, including the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) unit of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), to provide technical support and strategic direction for laboratory surveillance initiatives.

• Data Integration and Reporting: Support the integration of laboratory data into national surveillance systems, ensuring timely reporting and the use of laboratory data for public health decision-making.

• Policy and Advocacy: Contribute to the development of national policies and guidelines for laboratory-based disease surveillance, ensuring alignment with global standards and promoting sustainability.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Master’s degree in microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related field. A PhD in Microbiology or an MD in Microbiology would be preferred.

• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in public health laboratory systems, with a strong background in disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and infectious diseases, particularly in urban settings.

• Expertise: Proven expertise in public health infrastructure, laboratory quality assurance, and private sector engagement in laboratory-based surveillance.

• Partnerships: Experience working with national and state health agencies, including NCDC, IDSP, and NACO as well as with international partners such as WHO and CDC.

Essential Skills

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English and Hindi, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly and effectively.

• Project Management: Strong organizational and project management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently.

• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and digital tools for data analysis.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts, donors, and development partners at both national and state levels.

• Health Systems Knowledge: Deep understanding of India’s health system, particularly in the context of disease surveillance initiatives such as IHIP, IDSP, and key national programs like NHM, Ayushman Bharat, PM-ABHIM (specifically IPHL and BPHU component), and the XV-FC.

• Flexibility: Willingness to travel up to 30% of the time for program-related activities.

Location: Delhi