Laboratory Supervisor

Main Purpose

Planning, organizing and carrying out laboratory activities, training, guiding and supervising the performance of the laboratory staff according to MSF protocols, security measures and hygiene standards, in order to support the MSF medical team in the diagnosis of patients’ diseases.

Accountabilities

STRATEGIC VISION

•       Participate in the project planning and follow-up, reviewing the laboratory budget, when necessary, to support MSF’s medical activities.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

•       Ensuring the compliance of MSF hygiene and safety protocols, both individually and collectively as well as informing staff of existing biological risks.

•       Performing laboratory tests and carrying out sample collection (serology, haematology, biochemistry, bacteriology, parasitology ...) in accordance with prescriptions as well as:

•       Informing the doctor of the results of the tests

•       Keeping a record of the analysis with data from patients.

•       Ensuring proper registration and needs of all labs related activities and implementing a correct use of the associated management tool in order to have a proper recording of laboratory activities.

•       Training and supervising nurses and other hospital cadres on the correct use, QC and maintenance of lateral flow rapid diagnostic tests and all other point-of-care platforms such as the glucometer and hemocue.

QUALITY CONTROL

•       Preparing and sending slides/samples for external quality control.

•       Ensure that quality control tests are carried out regularly and documented.

HUMAN RESSOURCES

•       Supervising, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training/induction, coaching, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required.

BIOMEDICAL and PHARMACY/STOCK

•       Ensuring that all staff using medical devices are qualified and trained.

•       Ensuring cleaning and minor maintenance tasks are performed according to the protocols.

•       Reporting any malfunction to the project biomedical service.

•       Ensuring proper management (cleaning, maintenance, arranging) of all laboratory equipment and the adequate supply of needed equipment and material in order to prevent stock-outs. This includes being responsible for all required automatic instrument calibration, ensuring that no material is taken out of laboratories without prior authorization and carrying out a proper storage system and conditions, inventory, etc. 

•       In cooperation with logistics department, ensuring that cold chain is properly maintained in Laboratory areas for both, samples and reagents.

•       Ensure that inventories are regularly performed, that the consumptions are followed up, and that reagents are stored following recommendations.

DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING

•       Ensure correct collection and recording for Lab and Diagnostic activities using the existing tools such as, DHIS2

•       Analyse laboratory activity data

•       Providing independently regular monthly reports for lab and diagnostic activities such as

a)       Project monthly report-Lab Part

b)       Monthly QC indicator report

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

1. Technical Supervision of Diagnostic Activities

• Act as the technical focal point for all laboratory and PoC diagnostic activities within the project.
  
• Ensure harmonization of procedures and strict application of MSF SOPs across all testing sites.
  
• Supervise laboratory technicians performing TDR, PoC, molecular, and serological tests.
  
• Provide continuous technical support and troubleshooting.
  
• Ensure compliance with MSF diagnostic standards, biosafety regulations, and quality assurance requirements.
  

2. Management of TDR, PoC and Molecular Testing Quality Systems

• Implement and supervise monthly Internal Quality Control (IQC) for all rapid diagnostic and medical lab equipment.
  
• Review QC results, validate documentation, and investigate deviations.
  
• Oversee annual calibration of GeneXpert.
  
• Escalate repeated QC failures to Lab Manager when needed.
  
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3. Pre-Analytical Cycle & Sample Flow Management

• Establish and maintain :
  
• Sample reception registers
  
• Rejection logs
  
• Referral tracking logs
  
• Define and enforce clear sample acceptance/rejection criteria.
  
• Ensure correct triple packaging and chain-of-custody procedures.
  
• Coordinate collection, conditioning, packaging, and transport of samples for all external reference testing.
  
• Monitor turnaround times (TAT) and report delays.
  

4. Quality Assurance & Documentation

Ensure proper maintenance and supervision of :

• Laboratory registers
  
• QC logs
  
• Equipment maintenance records
  
• Calibration documentation
  
• Sample referral documentation
  
• Stock management tools
  

5. Training & Capacity Building

• Lead initial and continuous training for laboratory technicians (and nurses/clinicians if needed).
  
• Organize refresher sessions on :
  
• TDR & PoC quality
  
• Biosafety
  
• Documentation standard
  
• Molecular diagnostics
  
• Participate in regular staff performance evaluation.
  
• Identify competency gaps and propose corrective actions.
  

6. Coordination with External Laboratories

• Ensure proper implementation of referral pathways.
  
• Verify sample quality before dispatch.
  
• Monitor traceability and result feedback.
  
• Identify and report recurrent issues (TAT, communication gaps, quality concerns).
  
• Perform regular visits to external laboratories to ensure quality and monitoring of agreed indicator
  

7. Biosafety & Laboratory Infrastructure

• Enforce strict biosafety compliance :
  
• PPE use
  
• Waste segregation
  
• Decontamination procedures
  
• Oversee equipment maintenance and calibration schedules.
  
• Ensure laboratory safety standards are maintained.
  

8. Supply Chain Management & Strategic Planning

• Contribute to the preparation and consolidation of international medical orders (IMOs), regular review of MSL and providing regular input to monthly stock reviews 
  
• Forecast and monitor laboratory consumption, ensure proper quantification of articles during the medical orders.
  

• Ensure proper monitoring of the cold chain management systems.
  

• Contribute actively to the annual and mid-term Plan of Action (POA) development by:
  
• Identifying diagnostic gaps and expansion needs
  
• Proposing :
  
• New diagnostics implementation
  
• Equipment replacement
  
• Capacity-building activities
  
• Quality improvement initiatives
  

Align laboratory objectives with overall medical strategy.

Education

Essential degree as Laboratory Technician

Experience

•            Essential 2 years’ experience in a laboratory, preferably as a Lab Tech.

•            Desirable in MSF or another NGO, desirable in a clinical laboratory, , experience working with Key and vulnerable populations is desirable

•            Experience in working with Genexpert machine is essential

Languages

Swahili and English are essential

Knowledge

Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)

Competencies

•            Results and quality orientation L2

•            Teamwork and cooperation L2

•            Behavioural flexibility L2

•            Commitment to MSF principles L2

•            Stress management L3

Technical skills

•            Data management L3

•            Personal/materiel hygiene L2

•            Infection control L3

•            Pharmacy L4

•            Stock L1

•            Lab L3

•            Bio Med L2

MSF provides a safe, respectful, and stigma-free workplace where all patients and employees are treated with dignity regardless of their race, nationality, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, HIV status, disability, or other protected characteristics. MSF brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human. As such MSF is by choice an association. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.