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Location: This position will work a hybrid schedule based in Atlanta, GA. Relocation expenses are not provided.

Salary Range: $100,000 - $145,000 plus benefits

Position Type: Grant funded, limited-term opportunity contingent upon funding

Position End Date: May 31, 2027

The senior technical advisor (STA) will play a leading technical role in a global initiative aimed at building and enhancing blood lead laboratory capacity in Brazil, India, Nepal, and select countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative focuses on establishing systems and standards for early detection and effective monitoring of lead exposure, especially in geographies with the highest burden of lead poisoning.

The STA will guide and support partner countries in strengthening their laboratory infrastructure and practices related to blood lead testing and will serve as the technical lead and primary liaison with country stakeholders and implementing partners, ensuring alignment with international standards and national strategies. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in laboratory systems, blood lead testing, and capacity-building in low- and middle-income countries.

1. Serve as the primary technical focal point for assigned partner countries as they plan for and implement lead laboratory capacity building activities.

2. Lead or support comprehensive assessments of blood lead testing capacity, systems, standards, and gaps in assigned countries.

3. Collaborate with ministries of health and environment, laboratories, and global and local experts and partners to develop national laboratory strengthening workplans and roadmaps.

4. Provide ongoing technical assistance and mentorship to laboratories and public health institutions, including support for implementation of testing protocols, pre- and post-analytical issues, methodology, equipment use, and quality assurance practices.

5. Support development and roll-out of training resources, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and data management tools for blood lead testing and reporting.

6. Facilitate linkages between national and local laboratories and regional/international reference labs for technical support and sample validation.

7. Monitor and evaluate progress toward laboratory capacity benchmarks and generate technical reports and recommendations.

8. Work closely with internal teams and external partners and consultants to ensure integration of laboratory capacity building efforts with broader lead exposure prevention strategies in assigned countries.

9. Lead and contribute to the development of program related materials for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present abstracts at scientific conferences and meetings

10. Represent the program and organization in technical meetings, stakeholder forums, and partner meetings related to lead poisoning and laboratory strengthening.

11. Travel domestically or internationally as needed (up to 20% annually).

12. Participate in and/or lead special projects and other duties as assigned.

1. Master's degree in public health, laboratory science, pathology, or related field.

2. Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in laboratory systems strengthening, with experience in the global context preferred.

3. Demonstrated experience supporting laboratory capacity development, with experience in low- and middle-countries preferred.

4. Strong technical expertise in blood lead testing, clinical chemistry, or toxicology laboratory methods.

5. Advanced knowledge of World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and globally accepted international laboratory standards, methods, and guidelines for blood lead testing.

6. Proven ability to develop and deliver training, technical documents, and tools for laboratory personnel and health officials.

7. Excellent cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate with diverse partners including government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and donors.

8. Ability to communicate in a clear, positive manner with external partners, as well as clearly communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences

9. Outstanding creative and strategic problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with others (both internally and externally)

10. Fluency in French or Portuguese (written and/or verbal) is a plus by not required.