Consultant: Lab Specialist

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2603580
• Contractual arrangement: External consultant
• Contract duration: 6 months
• Organization: EM_LEB WHO Representative%27s Office, Lebanon
• Schedule: Part-time
• Closing date: Sep 9, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

1.       Purpose of the Consultancy

To enhance Lebanon’s national laboratory system by strengthening technical capacity, digital integration, quality assurance systems, and coordination between surveillance and laboratory services under the Pandemic Fund framework.

2.       Background

The consultant will support strengthening laboratory technical competencies across the national laboratory network, with a focus on the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) and selected public health laboratories.

The consultant will support the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) in strengthening laboratory information management systems, improving laboratory-surveillance integration, and enhancing laboratory data quality for pandemic preparedness and response.

The consultant will support the development of a national strategy and implementation roadmap to strengthen External Quality Assessment (EQA) systems as part of Lebanon's Pandemic Fund investments for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR).

 

3.       Planned timelines

60 Working days over 6 months

 

4.       Work to be performed

Output 1: The consultant will support strengthening laboratory technical competencies across the national laboratory network, with a focus on the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) and selected public health laboratories.

Deliverables:

·         Updated training package and training materials tailored to the knowledge and competency gaps identified through the training needs assessment.

·         Inventory of priority technical SOPs, including referral system SOPs, to be reviewed, and updated, as appropriate Training reports including participant lists, training evaluations, and competency assessment results.

 

Output 2: The consultant will support the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) in strengthening laboratory information management systems, improving laboratory-surveillance integration, and enhancing laboratory data quality for pandemic preparedness and response.

 

Deliverables:

• Assessment report of existing laboratory information management and data systems.
• Functional requirements and recommendations for strengthening laboratory information systems. including standardized laboratory data collection and reporting across the laboratory network.
• Laboratory data management and data quality assurance framework.
• Define minimum data elements for integration between lab and programme data.
• Data-sharing and interoperability recommendations.
• Training materials and training report.

Output 3: The consultant will support the development of a national strategy and implementation roadmap to strengthen External Quality Assessment (EQA) systems as part of Lebanon's Pandemic Fund investments for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR).

Deliverables:

• National EQA assessment report including performance indicators (e.g., participation rates, scores achieved), and analysis of discrepancies and corrective actions. National EQA strengthening plan and implementation roadmap including governance and resources requirements.
• Proposal for strengthening the National EQA Reference Laboratory.
• Recommendations for sustainability and integration within Pandemic Fund activities.

 

 

5.       Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of the WHE Team Lead.

 

6.       Specific requirements

- Qualifications required:        

First university degree in Medicine, Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology, or a related field.

An advanced degree (Master's degree or PhD) would be an asset.

 

- Experience required:

Minimum of 5 years of experience in laboratory systems strengthening

 

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

1-Demonstrated expertise in laboratory quality management systems (LQMS) and laboratory assessment tools.

2-Strong knowledge of national laboratory systems, including laboratory governance, referral systems, and national External Quality Assessment (EQA) programs.

3-Experience in strengthening laboratory information management systems (LIMS), laboratory data management, interoperability, and laboratory–surveillance integration and reporting.

4-Experience in fragile or resource-constrained settings

5-Preferred Prior experience with Pandemic Fund, WHO, CDC, or similar partners desirable

 

- Language requirements:

Languages and level required (Read - Write - Speak / Expert or Intermediate)

Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic language

 

7.       Place of assignment

Based in Beirut with weekly visits to office

 

8.       Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.