ABOUT FHI 360: FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of more than 2,000 experts work in over 50 countries around the world. PROJECT OVERVIEW: The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project is a global health initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State, running from 2019 to 2027. In the Philippines, EpiC has two workplans each with its own technical scope and budget, one focused on achieving HIV epidemic control and one focused on strengthening global health security (GHS). The role outlined in this job description supports EpiCs GHS workplan. EpiCs GHS workplan aims to strengthen national, subnational, and local capacities for the prevention, detection, and response to public health emergencies, including pandemic preparedness. Support is delivered across multiple technical areas, including Zoonotic Diseases, Biosafety and Biosecurity, National Laboratory Systems, Surveillance, Public Health Emergency Management, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and Evidence-Based Public Health Messaging. All activities and sub-activities under each technical area are aligned with and informed by national priorities and strategies, including the National Action Plan for Health Security (20252030), the National Framework of the Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS), and the National Laboratory Strategic Plan (NLSP) 20252030. JOB SUMMARY: The Senior Technical Specialist for Laboratory and Diagnostics will provide day-to-day technical leadership and operational support for the design, implementation, and monitoring of project activities on laboratory and diagnostic components. S/He will be responsible for translating strategic guidance into practical, country-level implementation, ensuring project activities are technically sound, timely, and aligned with national priorities. The Senior Technical Specialist for Laboratory and Diagnostics will lead and manage the implementation and oversight of strategies to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity, laboratory systems and diagnostic capacities. S/He will work closely with the Technical Advisor for laboratory and diagnostics and project leadership, country-level teams, and key stakeholders to ensure high quality and reliable laboratory services. S/He will lead efforts to ensure laboratorys compliance with international and national standards and promote integration of innovative diagnostic technologies. S/He will be responsible managing all laboratory diagnostic network strengthening activities within the assigned geographical locations; provide direct technical support to the Department of Health and its bureaus and regional offices in the development or updating of laboratory strategies, implementation plans, guidelines, and standard operating procedures. S/He will lead the planning and operationalization of activities to improve diagnostic quality, performance, and coordination across the Philippine Laboratory Network. The Senior Technical Specialist for Laboratory and Diagnostics will serve as the primary technical focal point for implementation, capacity strengthening, and routine engagement with government partners and other relevant stakeholders. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Technical Leadership and Coordination Work in close collaboration with national, regional, and local counterparts to provide the technical assistance required to fulfill national objectives and targets, especially these related to the strengthening of biosafety and biosecurity, and national laboratory systems. Provide technical expertise and operational guidance of activities under the laboratory and diagnostics component including strengthening biosafety and biosecurity systems, enhancing laboratory and diagnostic networks, specimen referral systems, quality assurance, laboratory information management system, scale-up and optimization of new diagnostic tools, across technical areas such as zoonotic diseases, biosafety and biosecurity, national laboratory system, surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC), outbreak response, and health emergency management. Genomic Surveillance for Zoonotic Diseases Provide technical guidance and support the development and operationalization of genomic surveillance workflows for priority zoonotic diseases, including sequencing protocols, data-sharing pathways, and reporting timelines. Biosafety, Biosecurity, and IPC in Laboratories In coordination with the technical advisor/lab and diagnostics, provide technical guidance to support development of laboratory policies, guidelines, SOPs on infection prevention and control (IPC) and biosafety biosecurity measures Conduct laboratory mapping activity, landscape and risk assessments to identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for strengthening biosafety, biosecurity and IPC systems Support the implementation of biosafety/ biosecurity, and IPC activities, including training, mentorship, and capacity strengthening for laboratory staff National Laboratory System Work with NRL leadership to enhance diagnostic networks, update diagnostic strategies and algorithms, and implement new diagnostic and molecular technologies. Provide technical expertise to strengthen specimen referral systems including creation of national guidelines for courier registration and certification, development of training modules and SOPs on handling and transport of biological and infectious substances, and designing cost-effective specimen transport models. Surveillance Provide technical assistance to strengthen surveillance systems, ensuring effective integration of diagnostics, reporting, and surveillance functions Support the development, implementation, and optimization of surveillance workflows Support capacity strengthening laboratories to enhance national surveillance systems Outbreak Response and Health Emergency Management Provide technical expertise and work closely with Supply Chain Management Specialist in establishing Emergency Readiness Reserve, and prepositioning essential diagnostic supplies and commodities to ensure continuous and uninterrupted diagnostic services during public health emergencies. Strategic Assistance, Capacity Building, and Quality Improvement Lead the development and implementation of strategic assistance and continuous improvement activities Provide technical assistance, training, and mentorship to laboratory staff including development of SOPs, job aides, and training materials Provide technical support in the planning, conduct, and reporting of laboratory assessments, audit, and systems reviews in accordance to national policies and standards Project Planning, Grants Oversight, and Cross-Team Collaboration Work with project management and technical teams in developing work plans, presentations and reports Works with other technical teams to support integrated planning, reporting, and representation of the project across relevant platforms Work closely with the Project Specialist for Grants in monitoring and providing technical oversight for subawards related to biosafety and biosecurity, ensuring compliance, timely implementation of activities, and alignment with project objectives Partnerships and Other Responsibilities Foster partnerships with government agencies, national and international organizations, and other relevant entities. Perform other duties assigned WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Usual office working conditions Ability to travel domestically at least 25% MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelors degree in microbiology or laboratory sciences, or its international equivalent, in biological sciences within a clinical or diagnostic discipline or specialty At least 7 years of experience working with infectious disease diagnostics and/or in laboratory systems strengthening Extensive knowledge of laboratory practices, diagnostic techniques, quality assurance systems, and laboratory information management systems Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and…