Technical Specialist – Lead Laboratory Capacity Building
Job Description
Department: Program and Innovation Office
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Worker Category: Program
Reports to: Senior Technical Advisor
Revised Date: June 2026
Position Highlights
Location: This position will work a hybrid schedule based in Atlanta, GA. Relocation expenses are not provided.
Salary Range: $60,000 - $95,000 plus benefits
Position Type: Grant funded, limited-term opportunity contingent upon funding
Position End Date: May 31, 2027
Overview
The Technical Specialist (TS) provides technical and programmatic support to a global lead poisoning prevention initiative focused on strengthening blood lead laboratory capacity in select countries in South America, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative aims to improve systems, standards, and practices for blood lead testing to support early detection and monitoring of lead exposure, particularly in low- and middle-income countries with a high burden of lead poisoning.
Working under the guidance of technical leads, the TS supports country engagement, technical assistance activities, assessments, training, and documentation related to laboratory capacity strengthening. This role is designed for an early-career professional seeking to build applied experience in global laboratory systems, blood lead testing, environmental health, and capacity building in low- and middle-income countries. The position also offers structured mentorship from senior program staff and opportunities to contribute to key technical outputs such as laboratory guidelines and publications.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Support the senior director and senior technical advisors by serving as a technical point of contact for assigned partner countries engaged in blood lead laboratory capacity building activities.
- Assist with assessments of laboratory capacity, laboratory systems, standards, and identify gaps and opportunities to build laboratory capacity.
- Contribute to the development of laboratory strengthening workplans, roadmaps, and technical briefs in collaboration with program technical leads.
- Provide technical support to laboratories and public health institutions, including assistance with testing protocols, laboratory workflows, quality assurance practices, and equipment use, under senior guidance.
- Support the development, adaptation, and dissemination of training materials, standard operating procedures (SOPs), job aids, and data management tools related to blood lead level testing.
- Support monitoring of progress toward laboratory capacity benchmarks and assist in preparing technical summaries, reports, and presentations for internal leadership, donors, and partners.
- Collaborate with internal program staff, consultants, and external partners to ensure laboratory capacity building efforts align with broader lead exposure prevention strategies.
- Conduct research for and support the development of program-related materials, including presentations, briefing documents, and draft content for reports, proposals, or publications.
- Support logistical and technical preparation for domestic or international travel, partner meetings, site visits, workshops, and trainings, as needed (anticipated travel up to 15–20%).
- Engage in structured mentorship and professional development with senior program staff
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications and Necessary Skills
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in public health, laboratory science, environmental health, toxicology, or a related field required; Recent Master’s or PhD degree preferred.
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in laboratory science, public health programs, environmental health, or global health, including those gained through doctoral research, internships, fellowships, or employment.
- Foundational knowledge of laboratory systems or laboratory methods.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and documentation skills with attention to detail.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Willingness to learn, adapt, and grow in a fast-paced, global program environment.
Preferred Skills and Competencies
- Familiarity with blood lead level testing, toxicology, clinical chemistry, inorganic analytical chemistry or environmental exposure monitoring.
- Exposure to international health programs or work in low- and middle-income countries.
- Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional and multicultural teams.
- Fluency in French or Portuguese (written and/or verbal) is a plus.