Laboratory/Diagnostics Consultant

Job Title: Laboratory / Diagnostics Consultant

Department: One Health

Based in: Remote

Reports to: Senior Technical Advisor I, One Health

*Submissions due by August 21, 2026*

Who we are

PSI is a network of locally rooted, globally connected organizations working to achieve consumer-powered healthcare - people-centered health systems that ensure quality, affordable care wherever and whenever it is needed. Our origins in sexual and reproductive health have grown into a broader mission. Today, we work with the public and private sectors as well as local communities, prioritizing people's voice and choice and developing solutions to meet their essential health needs. Over the past five decades, we have helped push boundaries, break taboos, set trends, and develop innovative solutions to complex global health challenges.

What we are looking for

PSI is implementing and actively pursuing Global Health Security activities in Sub-Saharan African and Southeastern Asian countries and is seeking a Senior Laboratory and Diagnostics Consultant with expertise in genomic surveillance, analytics, and antimicrobial resistance to provide technical leadership to these initiatives in Sierra Leone.

The project addresses GHS gaps in Sierra Leone across prevention, detection, and response capacities with an emphasis on system integration, improved data-use for decision-making and stronger One Health coordination, while building institutional capacity and supporting sustainable, government-led systems.

PSI is seeking a Senior Laboratory and Diagnostic Consultant to support laboratory system strengthening initiatives for a potential opportunity - contingent on successful fundraising - to support its Global Health Security objectives in Sierra Leone, which include: 1) Strengthen detection capacity and laboratory systems; 2) Develop and strengthen sustainable surveillance systems; 3) Enhance data collection, analysis, interoperability, and reporting; and 4) Provide targeted outbreak detection and response support.

Your contributions

The Senior Laboratory and Diagnostic Consultant will contribute to the design, implementation, and monitoring of strategies to strengthen detection capacity and laboratory systems for human and animal health networks. Specifically, the consultant will contribute technical expertise in diagnostics (including genomic approaches and analysis) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) according to global best practices and in alignment with national policies.

The consultancy is with the PSI Global team and support to the Sierra Leone country team will be remote. Short Term Technical Assistance (STTA) to Sierra Leone is possible and dependent on funding. It is also possible the consultant could support other countries and GHS initiatives as needed by PSI.

Contributions likely to include:

1. Provide targeted technical support to public health, divisional, and animal health laboratories to strengthen diagnostic capacity, biosafety and biosecurity, and quality management systems
2. Provide targeted technical support to improve genomic data analysis and AMR prevention
3. Support standardization and implementation of laboratory quality management systems and participation in external quality assurance programs for priority pathogens.
4. Contribute to data review sessions and analytic workshops to promote harmonized interpretation and use of surveillance and laboratory data across ministries.
5. Support the establishment of AMR reference laboratory standard operating procedures and reporting systems.

Support the establishment of genomic surveillance and bioinformatics workflows

Your profile

Essential:

• Master's Degree or equivalent plus 10 years professional experience in microbiology, clinical diagnostics, genomics, or other related field
• Comprehensive knowledge of infectious disease diagnostics
• Prior experience implementing laboratory quality management systems
• Familiarity with international biosafety regulations
• Demonstrated competence in molecular and genomic diagnostic methods, including genomic data analysis
• Demonstrated experience conducting antimicrobial surveillance
• Demonstrated experience strengthening laboratory/diagnostic capabilities during an infectious disease outbreak preferred

Desired:

• Experience working in Sierra Leone
• Experience working with international NGOs/ global health organizations

Specifics

The successful candidate will be offered a Consulting Agreement for a period of up to 50 days, including up to two short term technical assistance trips to Sierra Leone, with the possibility of extension.

Submission requirements (due by August 21, 2026):

1. CV including at least 2 professional references
2. Financial proposal including daily/hourly rate
3. Cover letter

(optional) examples of previous relevant work

#PSI

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