Senior Tuberculosis Laboratory and Diagnostic Network Advisor, DOS LEAP Global Nigeria

LEAP Program Description

Global Solutions Ventures (GSV) a joint-venture partnership between ZemiTek LLC and Dexis Consulting Group is implementing the Long-term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP Global) a mechanism originally used by USAID to battle against infectious diseases such as malaria HIV/AIDS tuberculosis neglected tropical diseases and pandemic influenza. As of July 1 2025 LEAP Global transitioned to the U.S. Department of State (DOS). This initiative aims to address the complex human resource challenges faced by national infectious disease programs in the USA-supported countries.

The intervention of this project is to hire and embed technical expert advisors and subject matter experts within government entities. By directly embedding the technical expertise within the national programs LEAP provides long-term sustainable lifesaving support to empower host governments to lead and manage key aspects of their infectious disease portfolios and improve coordination between the U.S. Government and the host country.

About the Position

The Senior TB Laboratory and Diagnostic Network Advisor will support in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. A robust and well-coordinated diagnostic network is foundational to achieving early and accurate tuberculosis (TB) detection effective drug resistance surveillance and quality-assured patient management. Nigerias National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB underscores the urgent need to expand access to WHO-recommended rapid diagnostics (WRDs) such as GeneXpert and Truenat while strengthening culture drug susceptibility testing (DST) and line probe assay (LPA) capacity within the reference laboratory network.

Despite major investments in laboratory expansion fragmented specimen referral systems underutilization of diagnostic platforms and weak quality management practices continue to constrain the efficiency of the TB laboratory system. Reference laboratories responsible for advanced diagnostics including Line Probe Assays (LPA) culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) often exhibit suboptimal performance creating bottlenecks that compromise the quality and turnaround time (TAT) of results critical for managing Drug-Resistant TB (DR-TB).

To address these gaps the U.S. Department of State (DOS) in collaboration with partners seeks to engage a Technical Consultant to provide targeted technical assistance focused on strengthening the TB laboratory and diagnostic network. The consultancy will enhance coordination improve staff capacity and support the optimization of laboratory workflows and referral systems across national and subnational levels.

Overall Objective of Assignment:

To strengthen the national TB laboratory and diagnostic network by improving functionality quality assurance and coordination of molecular culture and DST servicesensuring timely accurate and quality-assured TB and drug resistance diagnosis across all tiers of the laboratory system.

Responsibilities

The Advisor will work under the guidance of the NTBLCPs Laboratory Unit and in collaboration with key partners (Global Fund and implementing partners) to carry out the following tasks:

Diagnostic Network Assessment and Optimization

• Conduct a comprehensive review of the current TB diagnostic network mapping existing GeneXpert Truenat TB Lamp culture LPA and DST sites their coverage utilization rates HRH availability and referral linkages.
• Identify key gaps in functionality connectivity biosafety and maintenance across the network.
• Evaluate the operational capacity quality management system (QMS) compliance staff proficiency staff adequacy and turnaround times (TAT) for advanced diagnostics (LPA culture DST) at key reference laboratories.
• Develop a network optimization plan recommending strategic placement workload redistribution and tiered referral linkages between microscopy WRDs and reference laboratories.

Strengthening Specimen Referral and Transport Systems

• Review existing specimen referral pathways (from collection to testing and result return) identifying inefficiencies duplication and delays.
• Support NTBLCP to design and pilot an integrated sample referral system leveraging courier and digital tracking mechanisms to link peripheral facilities with higher-level labs.
• Develop or update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for specimen collection packaging transport and biosecurity.

Enhancing Laboratory Quality and Performance

• Conduct on-site assessments and mentorship visits to reference laboratories (culture LPA DST) and selected WRD hubs to strengthen quality management systems.
• Provide hands-on support to implement internal quality control (IQC) and participate in external quality assurance (EQA) programs.
• Support calibration and preventive maintenance plans for key diagnostic equipment ensuring uptime and adherence to service schedules.
• Facilitate the development of performance dashboards tracking test volumes positivity rates turnaround times and error rates.

Capacity Building and Technical Mentorship

• Provide intensive hands-on mentorship and training to reference lab staff on best practices for performing interpreting and reporting LPA culture and DST focusing on techniques that minimize contamination and ensure accurate results.
• Support the implementation of improved Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) protocols within the reference laboratories to align with national and international quality standards.
• Develop competency assessment tools and mentor reference lab staff in molecular diagnostics culture DST and data management.
• Advise on strategies for the optimal deployment and maintenance of molecular diagnostic platforms (e.g. optimizing utilization rates machine calibration schedules and procurement processes).

Coordination Reporting and Sustainability Planning

• Strengthen coordination between NTBLCP laboratory units implementing partners and state TB programs through regular technical working group (TWG) meetings.
• Monitor and evaluate ongoing laboratory programs through regular meetings with relevant implementing partners site visits and analysis of reports and data
• Support integration of laboratory data into national dashboards and surveillance systems for real-time performance monitoring.
• Develop an implementation roadmap and sustainability plan for diagnostic network strengthening aligned with the NSP and WHOs Laboratory Strengthening Framework.
• Provide technical briefs and evidence summaries to inform donor and government decision-making on laboratory investments.

Deliverables :

Inception Report and Workplan Inception Report and Workplan

• Overview of diagnostic network gaps detailed TA plan and indicators for tracking improvement

Diagnostic Network Optimization Report

• Comprehensive mapping and recommendations on network tiering linkages and platform optimization

Specimen Referral System Plan

• Updated referral algorithms SOPs and sample tracking framework

Reference Lab Performance Reports

• Findings and corrective actions from on-site mentorship and quality improvement visits

Training & Capacity Building Reports

• Summary of staff trainings mentorship outcomes and competency evaluations Laboratory Performance Dashboard Real-time dashboard template tracking utilization error rates and turnaround time

Laboratory Performance Dashboard

• Real-time dashboard template tracking utilization error rates and turnaround time

Final Technical Report and Sustainability Plan

• Consolidated summary of achievements lessons learned and actionable next steps

REPORTING:

The Senior TB Laboratory and Diagnostic Network Advisor will provide a detailed monthly report to the U.S. Department of State (Office of Foreign Assistance) submitted by the 5th day of the following month. Additionally the Advisor will submit a weekly progress report to the U.S. Department of State (and participate in weekly calls) to include a short paragraph about main successes for that week. The format for reporting may be adjusted with concurrence from the COR.

In addition to your LEAP Global supervisors and POCs The Senior TB Laboratory and Diagnostic Network Advisor will report to the Health Assistance Coordinator and his/her designate and has no formal supervisory responsibility. Incumbent may also have a POC with the coordinating GON ministry department and or agency as defined in the roles and responsible above.

Qualifications

• Masters degreeor local equivalentfrom an accredited program in Public HealthMedical Laboratory SciencesInternational Development Health Social or Behavioral Sciences Epidemiology Biology Infectious Disease Medicine Pharmacy Immunization orrelevant qualification required.
• Doctors in Medical Laboratory Scienceor MDpreferred but not required (e.g. MBChB MBBS MD or equivalent).
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of public health programming in developing or middle-income countries with a focus on immunization.
• Minimum of six (6) years of TB laboratory and TB control experience preferable at the national level.
• Prior experience working with or for bilateral or multilateral donors/stakeholders such as the World Bank the Global Fund UN agencies or national-level public sector projects and ensuring compliance with U.S. Government rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and problem-solving skills
• Understanding of USG rules and regulations preferred.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy program and administrative matters.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of Nigerian Government and US Government personnel and partners and have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate information to both health and non-health audiences and achieve consensus on policy project research and administrative matters.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English both orally and in writing is essential.
• Excellent verbal communication skills tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching/training and capacity building.
• Experience working with the key stakeholders in TB program preferably the national stakeholders and international donors.
• Specific experience in strengthening diagnostic networks is added advantage.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.