GHS Lab Technical Advisor

Overview

Nakupuna Solutions seeks a GHS Lab Technical Advisor to support U.S. Department of State global health security priorities and foreign assistance programming under the America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS). The Advisor will provide day-to-day programmatic oversight and technical guidance for efforts to strengthen subnational, national, and global laboratory systems and networks to improve the detection, reporting, and response to outbreaks and other health security threats.

The Advisor will support the design, implementation, and oversight of foreign assistance activities; contribute to the development and administration of new awards; support bilateral MOU implementation; and provide technical guidance to U.S. Embassies and partner countries on laboratory strengthening priorities and program design consistent with AFGHS and U.S. standards. The position will also support the development and review of programmatic policies, technical standards, performance metrics, milestone frameworks, and new program instruments to strengthen laboratory capacity, improve outbreak preparedness and response, and advance measurable U.S. global health security objectives.

Responsibilities

The following reflects management's definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign additional duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to mission requirements and reasonable accommodation. 

The GHS Lab Technical Advisor will provide technical and programmatic support for global health security laboratory strengthening, with a focus on tiered and networked human and zoonotic laboratory systems and country-level implementation of bilateral MOUs.

• Provide technical and programmatic support to GHSD headquarters, U.S. Embassies, implementing partners, and partner governments for laboratory systems strengthening and MOU implementation.
• Design and support programs that advance U.S. global health security priorities and strengthen integrated human and zoonotic laboratory networks, adapting U.S. and global best practices to national contexts and promoting sustainable, country-led systems.
• Advise on laboratory components of multisectoral global health security programming, including approaches that support the transformation of foreign assistance and increased engagement with government-to-government (G2G), faith-based, private-sector, and other local partners.
• Contribute to the design, selection, administration, monitoring, and evaluation of program instruments, performance metrics, and milestone-based approaches for laboratory strengthening activities.
• Develop and disseminate technical guidance, tools, and training materials supporting laboratory aspects of the 7-1-7 outbreak detection, reporting, and response framework for GHSD staff, Posts, implementers, and partner governments.
• Monitor program performance against established metrics, milestones, and MOU commitments; identify gaps, risks, and implementation challenges; and recommend corrective actions to support decision-making and course correction.
• Prepare technical and programmatic reports, briefings, analyses, and recommendations for program teams and senior leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Deliverables:

• Program management and technical support products supporting MOU implementation, including design frameworks, performance and financial management tools, and laboratory-focused programmatic policy and guidance.
• Technical, capacity-building, and programmatic materials supporting the transition of foreign assistance to G2G, faith-based, private-sector, and other new implementation models.
• Technical guidance, training materials, tools, and capacity-building products for GHSD staff, Posts, implementing partners, and partner governments.
• Reports and analytical products on U.S.-supported laboratory systems strengthening, including human and zoonotic outbreak detection and response and progress toward country-level 7-1-7 and other global health security commitments.
• Technical inputs and recommendations supporting the design and selection of new program instruments, performance metrics, and milestone frameworks.
• Regular progress reports and a final summary report documenting achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations.
• Other deliverables as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills/Qualifications: The ideal candidate will possess advanced technical expertise in global health security and multisectoral laboratory systems strengthening, with demonstrated experience translating technical laboratory standards and best practices into effective programs in low-resource settings.

• Advanced expertise in the design and implementation of global health and multisectoral human and zoonotic laboratory capacity-strengthening programs.
• Experience addressing foreign policy, international development, and technical considerations related to laboratory systems strengthening.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance and capacity building to country teams and governmental and non-governmental implementing partners.
• Experience engaging foreign governments, local partners, faith-based organizations, private-sector entities, and other stakeholders to adapt U.S. standards and best practices to country contexts.
• Relevant hands-on laboratory experience involving human and zoonotic pathogens and clinical specimens, including:
• Clinical microbiology culture techniques
• Microscopy
• Molecular diagnostics, including PCR, RT-PCR, and sequencing
• Immunological assays, including ELISA and antigen/antibody testing
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
• Processing, handling, transportation, storage, and disposal of clinical, environmental, human, and zoonotic specimens and pathogens
• Knowledge of U.S. standards for biorisk management, including biosafety, biosecurity, and applicable ISO standards.
• Experience with laboratory management and operations, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and response, and emergency preparedness.
• Ability to interpret laboratory and surveillance data, troubleshoot technical challenges, and provide practical recommendations in austere or resource-constrained environments.
• Demonstrated experience with safe specimen transport, management, storage, and disposal, including outbreak specimens and high-risk pathogens.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, stakeholder engagement, technical writing, and briefing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in uncertain and rapidly evolving environments while managing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

Education and Experience:

Master’s degree or higher in Public Health, Biomedical Sciences, Human or Animal Medicine, International Development, or a related field.

Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience supporting multisectoral human and zoonotic laboratory systems, including program design and management, technical assistance to countries, and performance and financial management.

Demonstrated experience working in international or low-resource settings preferred.

Work Schedule: Position is full-time, 40 hours per week (Monday-Friday) in Washington, DC.

Travel: Up to 25% international travel required, with the ability to travel on short notice in support of country-level programmatic needs and outbreak response. Occasional domestic travel may also be required.

Clearance Requirements: Active Secret clearance required. TS/SCI preferred. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Physical Requirements: The ideal candidate must at a minimum be able to meet the following physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers.
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer.

The Nakupuna Companies use a market-based compensation strategy to ensure that our employees are compensated within applicable market ranges commensurate with multiple factors, including but not limited to the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, and position location. The projected compensation range for this position is $142,000 to $183,500 (annualized USD). The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Nakupuna Companies' total compensation package for employees.