Laboratory Manager

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is seeking a qualified Laboratory Manager to coordinate and oversee laboratory services in its project area in Lindi. The position is responsible for implementing laboratory activities, supervising laboratory staff and ensuring that diagnostic testing is conducted accurately and in accordance with MSF protocols and quality standards.

The successful candidate will support laboratory services at health facilities, coordinate with the Ministry of Health, manage laboratory equipment and supplies, monitor quality control and cold-chain systems, and ensure accurate reporting of laboratory data. The role also contributes to staff development and strengthening laboratory quality-management systems.

Responsibilities

• Participate in defining and updating laboratory activities and the associated budget.

• Support medical diagnosis and treatment by supervising laboratory activities at health facilities.

  

• Perform quality-control tests and analyses.

• Ensure laboratory activities comply with established quality plans.

  

• Supervise serology, hematology, biochemistry, bacteriology, parasitology and compatibility testing.

• Ensure tests are performed correctly according to medical prescriptions.

  

• Implement laboratory hygiene, safety and universal precaution protocols.

• Ensure laboratory staff use appropriate protective clothing and equipment.

  

• Inform cleaning personnel about laboratory biohazards.

• Ensure proper registration and recordkeeping of laboratory activities.

• Ensure correct use of laboratory management tools, including EpyTryp.

• Prepare and send slides and samples for external quality control.

• Maintain strict confidentiality of patients’ laboratory results.

• Coordinate with biomedical services to ensure proper use and availability of medical devices.

• Ensure automatic laboratory instruments are correctly calibrated.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date inventories of laboratory equipment and materials.

• Anticipate laboratory equipment and material requirements.

• Communicate future laboratory needs to the appropriate teams.

• Support recruitment, training, performance evaluation and development of laboratory staff.

• Improve staff capabilities and ensure appropriate staffing levels.

• Compile, analyse and report laboratory activities and results to medical teams and supervisors.

• Provide information on complications, numbers and types of tests conducted, and laboratory-related problems.

• Participate in preparing epidemiological reports related to MSF health services.

• Co-manage laboratory activities with the Ministry of Health laboratory management team.

• Serve as the focal point for laboratory communication and coordination between MSF and the Ministry of Health.

• Oversee cold-chain management within laboratory services.

• Ensure cold-chain practices comply with required standards.

• Ensure availability and implementation of the MSF minimum laboratory package at Liwale District Hospital, Barikiwa Health Facility and Kibutuka Health Facility.

• Monitor point-of-care instruments and rapid diagnostic tests at Lilombe and Kimambi dispensaries.

• Monitor equipment performance, maintenance and quality control.

• Ensure laboratory documentation is complete and accurate.

• Ensure documentation complies with MSF and Ministry of Health standards.

• Provide technical support to the Liwale District Hospital laboratory in line with ISO 15189 quality-management standards.

• Monitor consumption of MSF reagents according to agreed MSF–Ministry of Health procedures.

• Ensure laboratory data is reported accurately, completely and on time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Microbiology or another closely related laboratory or biomedical science discipline.

• Current professional registration.

• Valid practising licence from the relevant professional regulatory body.

• Specialisation or training in tropical diseases or another laboratory field is desirable.

• At least two years of experience as a laboratory technician.

• Previous experience with MSF or another NGO is an added advantage.

• Experience working in developing countries is an added advantage.

• Good spoken and written English.

• Good spoken and written Kiswahili.

• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and internet use.

• Strong people-management and staff-development skills.

• Commitment to MSF principles.

• Behavioural flexibility and adaptability.

• Strong results and quality orientation.

• Ability to work effectively within a team.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send their application to:

[email protected]

Use “LABORATORY MANAGER” as the subject of the email.

Applications may also be submitted in person at:

MSF Dar es Salaam Office
Uporoto Street, Plot No. 74, House No. 22, Ursino Estate, Victoria, Dar es Salaam

MSF Liwale Office
Liwale, Lindi

For applications submitted to the Liwale office, mark the envelope “LABORATORY MANAGER.”

The application deadline is 26 August 2026.

Final Thought

The Laboratory Manager role is suitable for qualified medical laboratory professionals with practical laboratory experience, professional registration and strong quality-management skills. Candidates who can combine technical laboratory expertise with staff leadership, quality control, data management and collaboration with the Ministry of Health should consider applying before the deadline.