London (10 SC) - Canary Wharf

Job Summary

The purpose of this role is to provide technical expertise and support to strengthen laboratory capability and capacity across the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) Health Security Programme, contributing to improved public health outcomes. Working closely with the Consultant Microbiologist and the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Lead, the post holder will support activities to strengthen laboratory services, workforce capability, quality systems and resilience across the Territories. The role is supervised by the Consultant Microbiologist, with overall oversight provided by the Head of Programme and Senior Leadership Team.

The role focuses on developing safe, high-quality and resilient laboratory services in geographically isolated territories. This includes supporting quality and accreditation standards, workforce development, public health and clinical services, and helping laboratories address challenges such as workforce shortages, supply chain constraints, equipment maintenance, sample transport delays and emergency preparedness.

The post holder will require strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build partnerships, work independently and collaboratively, and deliver at pace. Based in the UK, the role requires international travel several times a year.

The post holder will work with regional partners, Ministries of Health and other stakeholders to support quality assurance systems aligned with WHO guidance and national regulations, develop sustainable quality management systems, and advise on laboratory workflow, service organisation and demand management.

Working for your organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

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Job Description

This post will be undertaken as part of the infectious disease strengthening element of the UKOTs Health Security Programme within the Health Protection Operations Directorate. The post will also involve collaboration with the Science Group as required. Working with colleagues across the UKOTs, the post holder will provide technical leadership and support to strengthen laboratory governance, quality systems, workforce capability and resilience across a geographically dispersed laboratory network.

The Main Duties And Responsibilities Include:

• Working closely with the Consultant Microbiologist allocated to the UKOTs Health Security Programme, the post holder will provide technical input and support to public health institute/Ministry of Health laboratories in UKOTs to strengthen and build capacity in microbiological and virological diagnosis, laboratory strategy, service development, public health surveillance and outbreak preparedness, including providing specialist advice to senior healthcare and government stakeholders
• The post holder will work with UKOT colleagues to develop their capacity in laboratory governance, quality management systems, accreditation and quality assurance processes; laboratory workflow design, development of External Quality Assurance (EQA) schemes; standardised operating procedure (SOP) production, review, and management; biosafety training and planning; laboratory information and data management, including their utility for public health use; and laboratory staff training and development.
• Help support the UKOT laboratory teams in developing and implementing governance arrangements, harmonised workflows, SOP and referral pathways to promote consistency and equitable access to laboratory services across partner networks.
• Help develop the safety management, clinical governance and incident reporting systems, including the investigation of incidents, complaints, non-conformances and near misses to support patient safety and regulatory compliance
• Champion the maintenance of internal quality controls within a robust quality management system and an EQA system compatible with and progressing towards, WHO guidance, ISO 15189 and good and in-country regulations, supporting audits and corrective actions to improve laboratory performance
• Advise on and contribute to the development and delivery of training programmes for local staff, workforce development initiative, professional exchanges and recruitment and retention activities, ensuring integration with and compliance with local arrangements.
• Ensure confidentiality and conformity with the requirements of best practice in data protection.
• Contribute to safety inspections, H&S policy reviews risk investigations and laboratory infrastructure and equipment assurance activities where appropriate.
• The post holder may also assist in reviews of current laboratory practice, including network laboratory activities, service performance, quality indicators, equipment standardization and opportunities for service development
• To report on progress regularly to the UKOTs Health Security Programme Senior Leadership.
• Support laboratory preparedness and response for outbreaks and public health emergencies, working with partner organisations, reference laboratories and public health agencies to strengthen surveillance and testing capacity.
• Support the development of laboratory referral networks and systems for the safe and compliant transport of specimens between partner laboratories and reference centres, including adherence to relevant transport regulations