(Asst/ Snr) Manager (Lab Network Capacity & Readiness/Lab Network & Engagement)

[What the role is]

This role is focused on strengthening our public health laboratory network's preparedness and response capabilities. The role serves as the cornerstone for ensuring our key public health laboratories and high-containment facilities maintain optimal readiness and can effectively respond to public health emergencies.

[What you will be working on]

Laboratory Capacity Assessment and Planning

• Conduct comprehensive readiness assessments of key public health laboratories, evaluating their capabilities, infrastructure, and resource requirements whilst developing improvement strategies
• Lead preparedness and response planning efforts, including the development and maintenance of laboratory emergency response plans and standard operating procedures

Partnership and Coordination

• Identify and maintain relationships with standby laboratory partners, regularly reviewing their operational status and capabilities to ensure rapid mobilisation during emergencies
• Coordinate specialised training programmes for public health laboratory staff, focusing on new methodologies or techniques for improved pathogen detection

Emergency Preparedness

• Develop and implement contingency plans for various emergency scenarios, including participation in simulation exercises and drills
• Create forward surge capacity plans, ensuring laboratories can scale operations during emergencies whilst maintaining quality standards

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Lead intra-action review (IAR) or after-action reviews (AAR) and improvement assessments following laboratory responses to public health events
• Develop and implement monitoring frameworks to track laboratory performance and readiness levels

Strategic Development

• Conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging technologies, research developments, and global initiatives that could enhance laboratory capabilities
• Establish and maintain relationships with key public health laboratories, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing

Operational Support

• Provide technical and operational support during surge periods, ensuring laboratories maintain efficient operations under increased demand
• Coordinate resource allocation and deployment during emergency responses

As part of the shortlisting process for this role, candidates may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.

[What we are looking for]

We are looking for individuals who combines technical expertise with strategic thinking and coordination abilities, capable of strengthening our laboratory preparedness and response capabilities while managing diverse stakeholder relationships. The ideal candidate is passionate about public health laboratory strengthening and committed to building robust preparedness systems. The role focuses on ensuring operational readiness, building surge capacity, and maintaining robust response systems across the laboratory network.