Laboratory Manager

Organisation:

Médicins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Date advertised:

13 August 2026

Job title:

Laboratory Manager

Direct reports:

Project Medical Referent

Location:

Lindi Region – Liwale District, Liwale, Tanzania

About Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF):

Médicins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF provides assistance based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. The organisation is guided by the principles of neutrality and impartiality. These principles must apply to all MSF staff.

Main purpose:

Define, implement and monitor all laboratory activities in the project area, including managing relevant staff, according to MSF protocols to ensure the quality of laboratory work.

Key accountabilities:

The Laboratory Manager will:

• Participate in defining and updating laboratory activities, including the associated budget.
• Assist in the medical diagnosis and treatment of patients’ diseases and supervise laboratory activities in health facilities.
• Perform quality-control tests and analyses, ensuring compliance with the laboratory’s basic plans.
• Ensure that all tests—including serology, hematology, biochemistry, bacteriology, parasitology and compatibility tests—are performed correctly and according to prescriptions.
• Ensure that hygiene and safety protocols for individual and collective protection are implemented in laboratories. These include required clothing and equipment, hygiene measures and universal precautions.
• Ensure that cleaning personnel are informed about biohazards.
• Ensure proper registration and recordkeeping for all laboratory-related activities, including the correct use of associated management tools such as EpyTryp.
• Prepare and send slides and samples for external quality control.
• Ensure the confidentiality of all patients’ laboratory results at all times, according to the protocols in place.
• In coordination with the project biomedical service, supervise the appropriate use of medical devices under the position’s responsibility to ensure they are always available for use.
• Ensure the correct calibration of automatic instruments and maintain accurate, up-to-date inventories of laboratory materials and equipment.
• Anticipate and communicate future laboratory equipment and material requirements.
• In close coordination with the Human Resources department, plan and supervise processes involving the recruitment, training, performance evaluation, development, and internal and external communication of project laboratory staff.
• Improve staff capabilities and ensure the required staffing levels and knowledge.
• Compile, analyse and report laboratory activities and results to medical staff and the immediate supervisor.
• Provide data on complications, the total number and types of tests conducted, and any problems involving laboratory staff or materials.
• Participate in developing epidemiological reports relating to MSF health services.

MSF section and context-specific accountabilities:

The Laboratory Manager will also:

• Co-manage laboratory activities in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health laboratory management team.
• Serve as the focal point for communication and coordination between MSF and the Ministry of Health on laboratory-related matters.
• Oversee and monitor cold-chain management within laboratory services to ensure compliance with the required standards.
• Ensure the availability and implementation of the MSF minimum laboratory package at Liwale District Hospital, Barikiwa Health Facility and Kibutuka Health Facility, in line with the scope of medical services provided.
• Monitor the performance, maintenance and quality control of point-of-care instruments and rapid diagnostic tests at Lilombe and Kimambi dispensaries.
• Ensure that all laboratory documentation is complete, accurate and compliant with MSF and Ministry of Health standards.
• Provide technical support to the Liwale District Hospital laboratory in alignment with ISO 15189 quality-management standards.
• Monitor the consumption of MSF reagents according to the agreed MSF–Ministry of Health procedures.
• Ensure accurate, timely and complete reporting of all laboratory data.

Qualifications and requirements:

Education and professional registration:

Candidates must have:

• A bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Microbiology, or another closely related laboratory or biomedical science discipline from a recognised institution.
• Current registration and a valid practising licence from the relevant professional regulatory body, where applicable.
• Specialisation or training in tropical diseases or other laboratory domains is desirable.

Experience:

Candidates should have:

• At least two years of experience as a laboratory technician.
• Previous experience with MSF or another non-governmental organisation, which will be considered an asset.
• Justifiable experience working in developing countries, which would be an added advantage.

Languages:

Good spoken and written English and Kiswahili are essential.

Technical knowledge:

Essential computer literacy, including knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and internet use.

Competencies:

Candidates should demonstrate the following competencies:

• People Management and Development
• Commitment to MSF Principles
• Behavioural Flexibility
• Results and Quality Orientation
• Teamwork and Cooperation

Important notes:

• Residents of Liwale will be given priority for consideration.
• MSF will not provide support for accommodation or transportation.
• Women and people who identify as members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.
• MSF is dedicated to fostering a safe work environment with zero tolerance for any form of abuse.

Application details:

Required application documents:

Interested candidates should submit:

• A motivation letter
• A curriculum vitae
• Copies of relevant professional certificates

Application deadline:

Applications must be submitted no later than Wednesday, 26 August 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

How to apply:

Applications should be emailed to: MSFCH-Tanzania-Recruitment@geneva.msf.org

Use “LABORATORY MANAGER” as the email subject.

Applications may also be submitted in person at either of the following locations:

• MSF office, Uporoto Street, Plot No. 74, House No. 22, Ursino Estate, Victoria, Dar es Salaam.
• MSF office in Liwale, Lindi.

For physical submissions, the envelope should be marked “LABORATORY MANAGER.”

Selection process:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you receive no communication within six weeks, you may consider that you have not been pre-selected.

Data protection:

The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your data only for the recruitment process and to having the information and documents necessary to proceed with recruitment, validate your application and select the most suitable candidate.

Your data will be treated confidentially. Only people involved in the recruitment process will have access to your data. MSF does not sell your data under any circumstances.

For questions or requests concerning your personal data, contact: MSFCH-Tanzania-PAM@geneva.msf.org

Diversity, inclusion and safeguarding:

MSF is committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of its staff members.

The organisation strives to create workplaces where people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas and experiences work together to advance MSF’s social mission and create better outcomes for patients and the communities it serves.

MSF welcomes applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, beliefs, ability statuses and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will therefore undergo reference checks.

Recruitment integrity:

Applying to MSF is free of charge. MSF does not charge applicants to consider their applications.