Laboratory Manager at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is seeking a qualified Laboratory Manager to oversee laboratory activities in its project area in Lindi, including Liwale District Hospital, Barikiwa Health Facility, and Kibutuka Health Facility. The role focuses on ensuring high-quality laboratory services, accurate testing, effective quality control, proper equipment management, and compliance with MSF and Ministry of Health standards.

The successful candidate will provide technical and managerial leadership to laboratory teams while working closely with medical, biomedical, logistics, Human Resources, and Ministry of Health teams. The position also involves laboratory data management, cold-chain oversight, staff development, quality-management systems, and ensuring the availability of essential laboratory services and supplies.

Responsibilities

• Participate in defining and updating laboratory activities and associated budgets.

  

• Support medical diagnosis and treatment by supervising laboratory services in health facilities.

• Perform and monitor quality-control tests and analyses.

  

• Ensure serology, haematology, biochemistry, bacteriology, parasitology, and compatibility tests are performed correctly and according to prescriptions.

• Implement laboratory hygiene, safety, universal precautions, and personal protective measures.

  

• Ensure cleaning personnel understand laboratory biohazards.

• Maintain accurate registration and records of laboratory activities.

  

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

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

• Protect the confidentiality of patients' laboratory results.

• Supervise the appropriate use of laboratory medical devices in coordination with the biomedical service.

• Ensure automatic laboratory instruments are correctly calibrated.

• Maintain accurate inventories of laboratory equipment and materials.

• Anticipate and communicate laboratory equipment and material requirements.

• Coordinate recruitment, training, performance evaluation, staff development, and communication for laboratory personnel.

• Strengthen staff capabilities and ensure appropriate staffing levels.

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

• Provide data on complications, test volumes and types, and laboratory staffing or material problems.

• Participate in epidemiological reporting related to MSF health services.

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

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

• Oversee and monitor cold-chain management within laboratory services.

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

• Monitor the performance, maintenance, and quality control of point-of-care instruments and rapid diagnostic tests at Lilombe and Kimambi dispensaries.

• Ensure laboratory documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant 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.

Qualifications

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

• Current registration with the relevant professional regulatory body.

• Valid practising licence from the relevant professional regulatory body.

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

• At least 2 years of experience working 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, Excel, and internet applications.

• Strong people-management and development skills.

• Commitment to MSF principles.

• Behavioural flexibility and ability to adapt to changing field conditions.

• Strong results and quality orientation.

• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong laboratory quality-control, documentation, reporting, and coordination skills.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application to the MSF recruitment team by email.

Email: [email protected]

Email Subject: LABORATORY MANAGER

Applications may also be submitted in person at:

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

• MSF Office in Liwale, Lindi. The envelope should be marked “LABORATORY MANAGER”.

The application deadline is 26 August 2026.