National Program Officer/ National Program Manager – Laboratory Systems

About the Organisation

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, Women's Cancers, Non-Communicable Diseases, Digital Health).

About the Program

The NPO or National Program Manager Laboratory Systems will work under the Reaching Impact, Saturation, and Epidemic Control (RISE) and Enhanced Global Health Security (EGHS) Projects in support of prevention, detection, and response to emerging infectious disease threats.

The two main objectives are Enhance Outbreak Containment Efforts and Improve Laboratory Confirmation

About the Position

Jhpiego is hiring for the position of National Program Officer – Laboratory Systems based at New Delhi for its RISE project. The position will work closely with the India country office and state office teams for strengthening of lab capacity. The position will report to the Associate Director.

• Lead national-level planning, budgeting, and project management for laboratory systems strengthening under the RISE project.
• Develop—and continuously refine—national strategies and roadmaps for laboratory capacity enhancement, aligning with government priorities.
• Serve as the principal liaison for laboratory systems between Jhpiego, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, state health departments, and other stakeholders, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment of objectives.
• Implement comprehensive gap assessments of laboratory infrastructure, workflows, biosafety, and biosecurity systems; drive targeted improvements through infrastructure upgrades, equipment deployment, and optimized SOPs.
• Champion the introduction and scale-up of advanced diagnostic modalities, including metagenomic (NGS) and other molecular techniques, to enhance pathogen identification and genomic surveillance.
• Establish a rigorous quality management system—encompassing proficiency testing, audits, and corrective action plans—to sustain high standards in diagnostic accuracy and biosafety
• Design and lead national-level training programs for laboratory personnel on pathogen-specific diagnostics, data management, biosafety, and laboratory leadership skills.
• Mentor state-level laboratory teams and focal points, building their capacity to manage laboratories independently and to train others.
• Document and disseminate best practices, guidelines, and policy briefs on laboratory strengthening, facilitating knowledge exchange among government partners and technical
• Architect and oversee the roll-out of a robust national laboratory network, including sample referral pathways and electronic data management platforms that support real-time reporting and analysis.
• Collaborate with digital health teams to optimize laboratory information management systems (LIMS) integration with national health surveillance databases
• Analyze laboratory performance metrics and surveillance data to inform strategic decision-making and to produce high-quality reports for donors and government counterparts.
• Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with international agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and private sector stakeholders to leverage resources and technical expertise.
• Represent Jhpiego at national and international forums, advocating for investments in laboratory systems and shaping policy dialogues around diagnostic preparedness.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, contributing to proposal development and budget design.

Abilities/Skills:

• Familiarity with Biosafety norms, Quality management systems and laboratory information management systems
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced
• Experience working with government agencies, international organizations, and
• Ability to analyse data and produce documents and reports of professional quality and coordinate activities independently.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Hindi
• Computer skills demonstrating competency in MS Office Suite
• Ability to handle a variety of assignments under pressure of deadlines
• Ability to multitask and work in a multi-cultural
• Ability to develop productive working relationships with other team members, agencies, stakeholders and other organizations.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.

Qualifications/Knowledge and Experience:

1. MD/PhD in microbiology/pathology.
2. At least 7 years’ experience in implementing Lab programs
3. Experience in HIV/TB/PM ABHIM is desirable
4. Experience with next-generation sequencing/metagenomics applications in pathogen surveillance is desirable.
5. Experience in capacity building e.g. developing content, planning, and facilitating training and providing technical assistance.
6. Familiarity with the Indian public health system, newer initiatives in health sector and relevant government policies/ strategies particularly National Health Mission, and Ayushman

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 will be preferred.

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