Laboratory Supervisor – Afar Project

Main purpose of the Position

MSF’s Laboratory Supervisors play a crucial role in supporting medical teams by planning, organizing, and overseeing daily laboratory operations, personnel, and technical accuracy (calibrate equipment) in medical, industrial settings and train staff according to MSF/Ethiopia protocols, security measures, and hygiene standards.

Accountabilities

• Participating in the project planning and follow-up and reviewing the laboratory budget, when necessary, in order to support MSF’s medical activities.
• 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, hematology, biochemistry, bacteriology, parasitology …) in accordance with prescriptions as well as ensuring that quality control tests are carried out regularly. Informing the doctor of the results of the tests and keeping a record of the analysis with data from patients.
• Ensuring proper management (cleaning, maintenance, arranging) of all laboratory equipment and the adequate supply of needed equipment and material 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.
• In the absence of a Laboratory Manager, ensuring proper registration and needs of all labs related activities and implementing a correct use of the associated management tool (EpyTryp. Etc.) to have a proper recording of laboratory activities. Preparing and sending slides/samples for external quality control.
• 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.
• 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.
• Producing regular reports on the testing and on any issues / problems related to laboratory personnel and / or the material used.

MSF Section/Context-Specific Accountabilities

• Support to Clinical & Nutrition Services – Ensure availability and reliability of essential laboratory tests required for ITFC. Ensure the correct sample collections in the ITFC as required. Support clinicians in appropriate test selection, interpretation of results, and rational use of laboratory investigations. Participate in clinical meetings, case discussions, and morbidity and mortality reviews when laboratory input is required.
• Integration with Deputy General Hospital Laboratory Services – Actively support the progressive integration of MSF laboratory activities with the DGH laboratory. Facilitate harmonization of laboratory procedures, workflows, documentation, and reporting systems between MSF and DGH.
• Capacity Building & Mentorship – Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, and support the DGH laboratory staff in collaboration with the DGH Laboratory Manager. Identify training needs and support skill transfer to strengthen autonomy and sustainability of DGH laboratory services.
• Laboratory Supplies, Equipment & Biosafety – Ensure proper management of laboratory reagents, consumables, and equipment. Ensure compliance with biosafety, waste management, and infection prevention and control (IPC) standards. Report equipment failures and coordinate timely maintenance and repairs.
• Data Management & Reporting – Contribute to routine reporting, analysis of laboratory trends, and sharing of information with the medical team.
• Coordination & Representation – Coordinate closely with the Medical Team, ITFC management, and DGH laboratory leadership. Participate in joint meetings with DGH, MSF related to laboratory services, quality of care, and integration.
• Emergency Preparedness & Response – Support emergency preparedness activities when necessary, including outbreak detection, surveillance, and surge response. Support laboratory readiness for epidemics, nutrition surges, and medical emergencies. Participate in possible emergency drills, simulations, and contingency planning as required.
• Regular Follow up and feedback to prescriber – promote the rational use of laboratory investigations in the ITFC as well as across supported services.