Senior Manager, Laboratory Technical Expert – CDC Strengthening Public Health Systems (Nigeria)

Job Description

About the job:

IMA World Health, a member of Corus International, is seeking a Senior Manager, Laboratory Technical Expert to join an anticipated 5-year $8.3 million CDC-funded project titled Strengthen national and sub-national capacities to implement the International Health Regulations through local partners in Nigeria.

The program’s goal is to strengthen International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) capacities of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC); other Government of Nigeria ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) relevant to the implementation of multi-sectoral response efforts of the IHR; and sub-national public health institutions, such as State Ministries of Health and local government authorities.

The Laboratory Technical Expert will provide technical leadership and strategic oversight for all laboratory strengthening activities, ensuring high-quality implementation aligned with CDC, WHO, and Corus International standards and guidance. The role will work closely with the Federal and State Ministries of Health, national public health reference laboratories, CDC technical staff, and key health system stakeholders to strengthen diagnostic capacity, laboratory networks, quality management systems, biosafety and biosecurity practices, and the integration of laboratory data into surveillance and early warning systems. The Laboratory Technical Expert will contribute to program planning, coordination, documentation, and reporting, and will support business development efforts related to laboratory and surveillance strengthening as requested.

The competencies required to be successful in this position include strong technical leadership in laboratory system strengthening activities, theoretical and practical understanding of global health systems and integration strategies to address prevention, early detection, and response to infectious disease threats; programming in conflict and fragile settings; the ability to motivate and lead teams; and the demonstrated ability to operate at advanced levels of authority and accountability for achieving results. The position will report to the programs Project Director.

The Laboratory Technical Expert will be based in Nigeria. Actual hiring is contingent upon signed agreement and CDC’s approval.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership for the design, implementation, and monitoring of laboratory system strengthening activities, including diagnostics, laboratory networks, quality management systems (QMS), biosafety and biosecurity, and laboratory information systems (LIS).
• Support Ministries of Health and national public health laboratories to improve detection, diagnostics, and sequencing capacity for priority public health threats.
• Strengthen laboratory information systems, reporting pathways, and interoperability with disease surveillance and early warning systems.
• Improve sample referral, transport, and specimen management systems, including protocols, logistics coordination, and data tracking.
• Lead and support laboratory assessments, gap analyses, and the development and implementation of costed improvement plans.
• Provide technical guidance on quality assurance, proficiency testing, accreditation readiness, and continuous quality improvement.
• Facilitate coordination between laboratory, surveillance, and emergency response teams to ensure a cohesive national detection and response strategy.
• Represent the project in engagements with MOHs, CDC, regional laboratory networks, implementing partners, and technical working groups.
• Contribute to high-quality technical documentation, assessments, reports, and lessons learned.
• Support the development of annual work plans, MERL processes, and technical reporting in alignment with CDC requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in laboratory sciences, microbiology, molecular biology, public health laboratory science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience strengthening public health laboratory systems in low- and middle-income countries, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Demonstrated expertise in diagnostic testing, laboratory network development, quality management systems, biosafety/biosecurity, and laboratory information systems.
• Experience working with Ministries of Health, national reference laboratories, CDC, and global laboratory partners.
• Familiarity with International Health Regulations (IHR), WHO laboratory frameworks, and CDC laboratory strengthening guidance.
• Strong communication skills, including both written and oral presentation skills; proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse public and private partners.
• English fluency with professional proficiency in writing required; fluency or proficiency in French strongly preferred.
• Experience working fragile contexts preferred.
• Ability to travel to project sites as needed.

About the Organization

About Corus: Corus International is the parent of a family of world-class organizations working to deliver the holistic, lasting solutions needed to end extreme poverty once and for all. We are a global leader in international development, with 150 years of combined experience across our brands. Our nonprofit and for-profit subsidiaries include IMA World Health, Lutheran World Relief, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Brands. Our more than 800 employees around the globe are experts in their fields and dedicated to helping the world's most vulnerable people break the cycle of poverty and lead healthy lives. Further details about the organization can be found at: https://corusinternational.org

Today, IMA offers extensive expertise in managing and implementing highly successful and complex donor-funded programs in global health security, nutrition, maternal and child health, health systems strengthening (HSS), malaria, HIV/AIDS, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). IMA has managed an average of $100 million annually over the last four fiscal years, through grants and contracts from the United States Government, FCDO, World Bank, the Global Fund, UNDP, and private donors.