Project Coordinator - Laboratory
- Company
Jhpiego
- Location
Mumbai, Chennai, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
- Employment Type
Full-Time
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Functional Category
Programme Management & Implementation
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Experience
5 - 7 years
About Jhpiego
Jhpiego is a nonprofit global leader in the creation and delivery of transformative health care solutions for the developing world. In partnership with national governments health experts and local communities we build health providers’ skills and develop systems that save lives now and guarantee healthier futures for women and their families. Our aim is revolutionizing health care for the planet’s most disadvantaged people. Jhpiego a Johns Hopkins University Affiliate translates decades of program experience and in-depth technical knowledge into moments of care that can mean the difference between life and death for women and families. The moment a woman gives birth; the moment a midwife helps a newborn to breath; the moment a nurse screens for cervical cancer with a simple vinegar swab; the moment a community health worker tests a man for HIV and reports he is HIV free. By embedding the know-how and skills into everyday practice we are able to increase access to quality health services and create a healthier future for generations to come. Access to lifesaving health care for all people whoever they are wherever they live that’s our mission.
- Website
Overview of the Role
The Project Coordinator - Lab will provide overall technical and operational leadership to ensure that the laboratory functions uninterrupted, adheres to approved protocols and diagnostic algorithms, meets turnaround time (TAT) expectations, and complies with quality management and biosafety standards. This position will work closely with clinicians, surveillance teams, the designated laboratory, and the IDSP Metropolitan Surveillance Unit (MSU) and Central Surveillance Unit (CSU) teams to strengthen laboratory support for AFI and ADD surveillance and ensure surveillance outputs are timely, complete, and usable for public health action.
Job Description
1) Laboratory Operations and Technical Oversight:
• Perform specimen processing and testing in alignment with standard protocols and defined diagnostic algorithms.
• Oversee all project-related laboratory activities, including patient enrolment, specimen collection workflows, transport, receipt, processing, testing, validation, and reporting.
• Ensure implementation of approved SOPs, diagnostic algorithms, and laboratory workflows for AFI/ADD surveillance.
• Ensure quality, accuracy, and timeliness of testing and results.
• Review and validate results prior to reporting, ensuring completeness, consistency, and compliance with protocol requirements.
• Ensure appropriate specimen storage, referral (if required), and disposal in line with protocols and institutional requirements.
2) Quality Management and Biosafety Compliance:
• Ensure adherence to laboratory quality systems, including internal quality control procedures, documentation, traceability, and corrective action processes.
• Ensure compliance with biosafety requirements, standard precautions, and biomedical waste management as per institutional and regulatory norms.
3) Data Management, Documentation, and Reporting:
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of all project documentation.
• Maintain all registers/logs for specimen receipt, processing, testing, and storage.
• Ensure data entry systems (registers and/or electronic platforms) are used consistently, and that records are complete and auditable.
• Ensure test reports are generated and shared in a timely manner through the appropriate platform(s) and with authorized stakeholders as per reporting workflows.
• Ensure data confidentiality, ethical compliance, and adherence to project data protection requirements.
4) Team Supervision, Capacity Building, and Performance Management:
• Conduct on-the-job training for the lab technicians/ assistants
• Provide day-to-day supervision and mentorship to laboratory technician(s)/ assistant(s) and other supporting staff, ensuring role clarity and accountability.
• Plan staff rosters and ensure adequate coverage for peak workloads and continuity of operations.
5) Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement, and Communication:
• Coordinate with clinicians and surveillance teams to ensure smooth enrolment and specimen flow, minimizing missed cases and improving completeness.
• Participate in review meetings; provide regular progress updates, including operational metrics (e.g., enrolment numbers, specimen volumes, positivity trends, TAT, data completeness, stock status, and key issues).
• Escalate critical issues (e.g., stock-outs, equipment failure, major delays, data discrepancies) promptly with a clear mitigation plan.
6) Inventory, Equipment, and Logistics Oversight:
• Oversee inventory planning and ensure uninterrupted availability of consumables, reagents, kits, and PPE; prevent stock-outs through timely forecasting and requisitioning.
• Ensure equipment readiness, calibration/maintenance schedules (where applicable), and basic troubleshooting coordination with relevant teams/vendors.
• Ensure appropriate cold chain systems, storage capacity, and transport logistics are functional and monitored (e.g., temperature logs where required). 7) Project Timeliness and Troubleshooting
• Ensure laboratory activities are completed in accordance with project timelines and deliverables.
• Identify operational bottlenecks (laboratory, logistics, staffing, equipment, data flow) and implement corrective measures to restore performance.
• Perform any other project-related tasks as assigned by the Supervisor or Nodal Officer.
Required & Preferred Qualifications
Skill
• Strong understanding of microbiology/serology workflows and laboratory documentation practices.
• Experience in Public Health Labs or Management of projects is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain high-quality outputs under operational constraints.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and comfort with electronic data/reporting platforms.
• Strong communication, coordination, and supervisory skills.
• Fluency in English and Hindi, with Marathi required for Mumbai and Tamil required for Chennai.
Education
Master’s degree in Microbiology, Laboratory Sciences, or a related field.
Experience
Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in diagnostic laboratory settings, including responsibility for supervision or coordination of laboratory operations.