Senior Program Coordinator Lab Pune

Jhpiego is an international non-profit health organization and an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University dedicated to improving the health of women and families in developing countries. For over 50 years it has focused on providing high-quality low-cost health care solutions training health workers and strengthening health systems.

Jhpiego has been working in India since the 1980s in close partnership with national and state governments. With deep technical expertise and strong on-the-ground execution Jhpiego helps design test and scale practical solutions and innovations that fit real-world systems across 11 thematic domains (Maternal and Newborn Health Reproductive Health Nutrition Immunization Comprehensive Primary Health Care Human Resources for Health TB and Infectious Diseases Global Health Security Womens Cancers Non-Communicable Diseases Digital Health).

About the Program

An international non-governmental organization (INGO) is seeking eligible candidates for the position of Senior Program Coordinator based in Pune. The Senior Program Coordinator will be responsible for end-to-end management of laboratory operations for Acute Febrile Illness (AFI) and Acute Diarrheal Disease (ADD) surveillance ensuring high-quality implementation across patient enrolment support specimen collection transport laboratory processing and testing reporting and data management.

About the Position

The Senior Program Coordinator will provide overall technical and operational leadership to ensure that the laboratory functions uninterrupted adheres to approved protocols and diagnostic algorithms meets turnaround time (TAT) expectations and complies with quality management and biosafety standards. The Senior Program Coordinator will work closely with clinicians surveillance teams the designated laboratory and the IDSP Metropolitan Surveillance Unit (MSU) and Central Surveillance Unit (CSU) teams to strengthen laboratory support for AFI and ADD surveillance and ensure surveillance outputs are timely complete and usable for public health action.

1) Laboratory Operations and Technical Oversight

• Perform specimen processing and testing in alignment with standard protocols and defined diagnostic algorithms.
• Oversee all project-related laboratory activities including patient enrolment specimen collection workflows transport receipt processing testing validation and reporting.
• Ensure implementation of approved SOPs diagnostic algorithms and laboratory workflows for AFI/ADD surveillance.
• Ensure quality accuracy and timeliness of testing and results.
• Review and validate results prior to reporting ensuring completeness consistency and compliance with protocol requirements.
• Ensure appropriate specimen storage referral (if required) and disposal in line with protocols and institutional requirements.

2) Quality Management and Biosafety Compliance

• Ensure adherence to laboratory quality systems including internal quality control procedures documentation traceability and corrective action processes.
• Ensure compliance with biosafety requirements standard precautions and biomedical waste management as per institutional and regulatory norms.

3) Data Management Documentation and Reporting

• Ensure accurate and timely completion of all project documentation.
• Maintain all registers/logs for specimen receipt processing testing and storage.
• Ensure data entry systems (registers and/or electronic platforms) are used consistently and that records are complete and auditable.
• Ensure test reports are generated and shared in a timely manner through the appropriate platform(s) and with authorized stakeholders as per reporting workflows.
• Ensure data confidentiality ethical compliance and adherence to project data protection requirements.

4) Team Supervision Capacity Building and Performance Management

• Conduct on-the-job training for the lab technicians
• Provide day-to-day supervision and mentorship to laboratory technician(s)/ assistant(s) and other supporting staff ensuring role clarity and accountability.
• Plan staff rosters and ensure adequate coverage for peak workloads and continuity of operations.

5) Coordination Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Coordinate with clinicians and surveillance teams to ensure smooth enrolment and specimen flow minimizing missed cases and improving completeness.
• Participate in review meetings; provide regular progress updates including operational metrics (e.g. enrolment numbers specimen volumes positivity trends TAT data completeness stock status and key issues).
• Escalate critical issues (e.g. stock-outs equipment failure major delays data discrepancies) promptly with a clear mitigation plan.

6) Inventory Equipment and Logistics Oversight

• Oversee inventory planning and ensure uninterrupted availability of consumables reagents kits and PPE; prevent stock-outs through timely forecasting and requisitioning.
• Ensure equipment readiness calibration/maintenance schedules (where applicable) and basic troubleshooting coordination with relevant teams/vendors.
• Ensure appropriate cold chain systems storage capacity and transport logistics are functional and monitored (e.g. temperature logs where required).

7) Project Timeliness and Troubleshooting

• Ensure laboratory activities are completed in accordance with project timelines and deliverables.
• Identify operational bottlenecks (laboratory logistics staffing equipment data flow) and implement corrective measures to restore performance.
• Perform any other project-related tasks as assigned by the Supervisor or Nodal Officer.

• Masters degree in Microbiology Laboratory Sciences or a related field.
• Minimum 35 years of relevant experience in diagnostic laboratory settings including responsibility for supervision or coordination of laboratory operations.
• Strong understanding of microbiology/serology workflows and laboratory documentation practices.
• Experience in Public Health Labs or Management of projects is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities meet deadlines and maintain high-quality outputs under operational constraints.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook) and comfort with electronic data/reporting platforms.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong communication coordination and supervisory skills.

• Proficiency in Marathi and English (reading writing speaking) Hindi.

• Willingness to travel locally as required for coordination supervision training or operational troubleshooting.

Jhpiego is an equal opportunity employer and offers highly dynamic and enabling work environment. Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

Due to high volume of applications only shortlisted applicants will receive a response from Jhpiego HR.