Laboratory Supervisor

MSF’s Laboratory Supervisors play a crucial role in supporting medical teams by planning, organising, and overseeing laboratory activities according to MSF protocols, security measures, and hygiene standards.

From ensuring compliance with hygiene and safety protocols, to performing laboratory tests and managing equipment and supplies, laboratory supervisors are at the forefront of the diagnostic efforts in our projects.

This is a diverse and essential role in support of our medical activities, involving some or all of the following :

Responsibilities

• Participate in project planning and follow-up, reviewing laboratory budget as needed.
• Ensure compliance with MSF hygiene and safety protocols, informing staff of biological risks.
• Perform laboratory tests and sample collection according to prescriptions, ensuring quality control.
• Manage laboratory equipment, ensure adequate supplies, and maintain proper storage conditions.
• Register and manage lab activities in absence of the laboratory manager, using management tools effectively.
• Supervise laboratory staff processes including recruitment, training, evaluation, and development.
• Ensure qualification and training of staff on using medical devices, report malfunctions.
• Produce regular reports on testing and related personnel or material issues.

Video

level 3 laboratory in Zhytomyr for the testing of tuberculosis

In 2022, Médecins Sans Frontières completed construction of biosafety level 3 laboratory in Zhytomyr for the testing of tuberculosis. Fabiola Gordillo Gomez - MSF clinical microbiologist specialist «This procedure is the most risky procedure in the laboratory. That's why we are wearing the mask. It's when they open the mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and it's tested against different antibiotics. Microscopy is one of the most important tests to decide what is the level of number of microorganisms or mycobacterium in the sputum of the patient. The next one is a molecular test that is done to check if there is any resistance to rifampicin. It's a very quick method and it's done in this equipment through scanning the cartridges and introducing it in the model. And it will take around two hours to give a result.» In December 2023, MSF handed over the laboratory to Zhytomyr regional tuberculosis dispensary. MSF Share X

Requirements

• Degree as Laboratory Technician.
• Two years in laboratory work, preferably as a laboratory technician; experience with MSF or another NGO is desirable.
• Local and programme language proficiency is essential.

Assets

• Results-oriented, teamwork skills, flexibility, commitment, stress management.