[Hiring] Lab Specialist / IT Systems Specialist @Integrated Business & Technical Consultants

Role Description

The Laboratory and IT Systems Specialist will provide laboratory-domain validation and practical IT support for various tasks under the supervision of the Digital Health Systems and Surveillance Lead / Team Lead. The assignment covers SENAITE and STARLIMS, ensuring that proposed requirements and procedures are technically sound and workable in Fiji’s laboratory environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Work under the Team Lead’s direction and coordinate closely with the Lab Information Systems Officer, Data Analyst, laboratory stakeholders, IBTCI project management, MEL, and quality-review personnel.
• Contribute to the delivery of the following four tasks:
  • Task 1 – LIMS Integration with Surveillance Systems:
    • Assessment of the current LIMS landscape (Senaite and STARLIMS).
    • Definition of a common minimum dataset and exchange standard for laboratory results.
    • Drafting and updating of data-sharing agreements and policies.
  • Task 2 – Review Digital Systems and SOPs for Outbreak Response:
    • Document inventory and desk review of existing SOPs and guidelines.
    • Key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders.
    • User-perception survey across various operator groups.
    • Data-flow mapping across systems.
    • Synthesis and drafting of the review report with findings and recommendations.
  • Task 3 – Host Technical Working Group (TWG) Meetings for Digital Systems Action Plan:
    • Confirmation of TWG composition and endorsement of Terms of Reference.
    • Preparation and facilitation of TWG inception meeting.
    • Action-plan development workshops.
  • Task 4 – Improve SOPs for Tamanu and Senaite:
    • Gap analysis and prioritization of SOPs and job aids.
    • Drafting and review of SOPs for Tamanu and Senaite.
• Validate the assessment of Fiji’s LIMS landscape.
• Review available system architecture, configurations, interfaces, and security information.
• Technically validate the proposed common minimum dataset and exchange requirements.
• Assess operational IT requirements and risks and recommend practical mitigations.
• Provide technical input to interviews, consultations, and meetings.
• Validate and support drafting of SENAITE/LIMS SOPs and workflow provisions.
• Provide limited hands-on IT support for agreed assessment and documentation tasks.
• Maintain concise technical review notes and promptly escalate issues to the Team Lead.

Contribution to Main Deliverables

• Task 1: Data-sharing agreements drafted.
• Task 2: A report on current implementation and attitudes toward digital systems completed.
• Task 3: TWG meeting reports and digital systems action plan completed.
• Task 4: SOPs and Job Aids reviewed, SOPs for Tamanu and Senaite improved/developed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or technology, health informatics, information technology, computer science, biomedical engineering, public health, or a closely related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in laboratory systems, health IT, LIMS, digital diagnostics, systems administration, integration, or related public-health technology.
• Experience reviewing or supporting LIMS or health-information-system architecture.
• Knowledge of health-information security, role-based access, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively with laboratory professionals and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong English writing and communication skills.
• Availability for in-country work and travel within Fiji during the assignment period.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with government health or laboratory systems in Fiji or the Pacific region.
• Direct experience with SENAITE, STARLIMS, or comparable LIMS platforms.
• Experience on donor-funded digital-health, laboratory-strengthening, or global-health-security projects.

Working Environment and Conditions

• The consultancy combines remote work with required travel to and within Fiji.
• Work is typically performed in an office environment, with some time spent in the field.
• Travel within Fiji is required.
• The initial assignment is expected to run from August through December 2026, with a possible extension.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

IBTCI is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. This means that IBTCI is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex (gender and gender identity), sexual orientation, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disabled status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable anti-discrimination laws.

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability, or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Talent Acquisition at [email protected].