Laboratory & Diagnostic Officer – STRIDES Project

About the role

The Laboratory and Diagnostic Officer will provide hands‑on technical support for the STRIDES activity, strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic services in Cameroon. The role involves collaborating with in‑country staff, the Laboratory and Diagnostic Advisor, and HQ teams to ensure high‑quality implementation.

Key responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day technical implementation support for molecular diagnostics, genomic sequencing, AMR testing, and quality management systems.
• Maintain project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials and related reports.
• Support laboratory network strengthening activities, including specimen referral, LIMS integration, biosafety/biosecurity, and training.
• Develop technical briefs, reports and assessment findings, and contribute to research initiatives to improve laboratory practices.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or a related biological science.
• At least 4 years of experience in infectious disease diagnostics or laboratory systems strengthening.
• Experience training and supervising laboratory staff on molecular diagnostics, sequencing, QA/QC and biosafety.
• Prior work with NGOs, government agencies or USG‑funded projects is preferred.

Required skills

• Molecular diagnostics
• Genomic sequencing
• PCR and sequencing platforms
• Quality management systems
• Biosafety/biosecurity
• Laboratory information management system (LIMS)
• Antimicrobial resistance testing
• Data analysis and Microsoft Office Suite