Lab Officer

Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Right to Care Zambia (RTCZ) has been at the forefront of public health innovation since our incorporation in 2016, providing high-impact direct service delivery and technical assistance in partnership with the Ministry of Health. Headquartered in Lusaka, we operate across the country bringing quality healthcare closer to communities.

Guided by our 2026-2030 strategic plan, we are committed to strengthening health systems and improving lives through comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment, maternal and child health, and rapid epidemic response. Our integrated approach also includes malaria and TB control, public health research, social behaviour change, laboratory services, pharmaceutical supply chain management, and addressing non-communicable diseases. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to excellence, collaboration, and sustainable impact in every community we serve.

Responsibilities or duties

Direct Delivery Model (DDM) Procurement

• Coordinating the procurement and direct-delivery ordering of VL and EID molecular diagnostics reagents and consumables to designated testing laboratories, ensuring timely fulfilment of laboratory requirements.
• Verifying order quantities, product specifications, and reagent compatibility against instrument platforms, testing volumes, consumption patterns, and laboratory capacity.
• Liaising with suppliers, importation and customs teams, logistics providers, and laboratory stakeholders to monitor shipment progress, facilitate clearance, and resolve delivery delays.
• Tracking orders from placement through shipment, customs clearance, delivery, and receipt, maintaining accurate records and escalating potential supply disruptions to ensure uninterrupted VL/EID testing services.

Laboratory Coordination & Monitoring

• Coordinating with testing laboratories to confirm delivery schedules, receiving arrangements, designated contacts, and proof-of-delivery documentation for direct-delivery consignments.
• Monitoring VL/EID reagent and consumable stock levels, consumption trends, testing volumes, and expiry dates at laboratory level to identify potential stockouts, overstocking, and expiry risks.
• Proactively identifying and escalating delivery exceptions, including shipment delays, quantity discrepancies, damaged or compromised commodities, and other supply-related concerns affecting laboratory operations.
• Supporting the investigation and resolution of quality, delivery, and instrument-related supply issues by liaising with laboratories, suppliers, logistics teams, and technical stakeholders to minimize disruptions to VL/EID testing services.

Data & Pipeline Management

• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of VL/EID direct-delivery orders, shipment status, deliveries, proof of delivery, and laboratory-level commodity stock positions.
• Working closely with the FASP Manager/Specialist 8 Laboratory to update and maintain the laboratory commodity pipeline database, ensuring accurate visibility of VL/EID product orders, shipments, deliveries, and outstanding requirements.
• Reconciling order, delivery, and laboratory stock data to identify discrepancies, outstanding consignments, and potential supply risks requiring corrective action.
• Preparing and reporting on direct-delivery performance indicators, including on-time delivery, order accuracy, fulfilment rates, and delivery exceptions, to inform supply planning, supplier performance management, and continuous improvement.

Capacity Building

• Mentoring MoH and laboratory staff on direct-delivery order management, commodity planning, order tracking, stock monitoring, and coordination of VL/EID molecular diagnostics supplies.
• Supporting the development, review, and implementation of SOPs, guidelines, workflow tools, and job aids for effective VL/EID direct-delivery order management.
• Applying the I Do, We Do, You Do approach to progressively build the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence of MoH and laboratory counterparts in DDM procurement coordination.
• Supporting the transition and institutionalization of DDM procurement functions by transferring knowledge, documenting best practices, and strengthening the capacity of MoH and laboratory teams to independently manage VL/EID commodity requirements.

Qualifications or requirements

Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Ordinary level (GCSE)/ Grade Twelve
• Degree in Biomedical Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, or related field.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in laboratory commodity management, procurement, or molecular diagnostics logistics.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

• Certification in procurement or supply chain management.
• Training on molecular diagnostics platforms (e.g., GeneXpert, Cobas, Abbott m2000/Alinity).
• Knowledge of Zambian public-sector health and laboratory supply chains, MoH structures, and ZAMMSA operations
• Practical experience in VL/EID reagent and consumable forecasting, quantification, procurement, ordering, and direct delivery to testing laboratories.

Technical and Behavioural Competencies

• Technical Leadership
• Capacity Building & Mentorship
• Quality Assurance
• Innovation & Problem Solving
• Ethics and Integrity
• Professionalism

How to Apply

Applications in the form of a cover letter and CV must be submitted NOT later than 28 September 2026.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Apply by emailing: Vacancy24@righttocare.org