Mini-Lab Supervisor at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF-Belgium)

Médecins Sans Frontières is a private, international organisation. The organisation is made up mainly of doctors and health sector workers and is also open to all other professions which might help in achieving its aims.

Médecins Sans Frontières provides assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict. They do so irrespective of race, religion, creed, or political convictions.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Mini-Lab Supervisor

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time

Main Purpose

• The Mini-Lab supervisor is involved in the delivery of clinical laboratory operations in accordance with the Mini-Lab protocols and safety and hygiene rules, in order to obtain reliable results allowing clinicians to choose patient treatments.
• He/she will also be involved in various general activities related to his/her role as laboratory supervisor.
• He/she will also be in charge of the specific human resources operations set out in the responsibilities section of this job description.
• The supervisor reports to the MIO or, in their absence, to the manager of the hospital in which the Mini- Lab is located;
• The supervisor works in partnership with all other laboratory supervisors in the mission;
• The supervisor will have to work in close partnership with the medical team of the mission.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• The supervisor will have the same responsibilities as a laboratory technician plus those relating to his/her status as supervisor.
• Being proficient in good laboratory practices and safety rules;
• Being proficient in and delivering the whole testing process for each type of sample:

Pre-testing:

• Receipt and recording all samples.

Testing:

• Performing all examinations and clinical tests according to the defined techniques while following the different standard Mini-Lab protocols and procedures. In particular, this role involves identifying micro-organisms and performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Post-testing:

• Understanding the interpretation of test results and the returning of results.
• Being proficient in the Mini-Lab computer system (Mini-LIMS) in order to ensure that the data collected at each step is logged;
• Maintaining the direct work environment (workstation) according to the recommendations and carrying out all the tasks, maintenance and readings by following and complying with the defined work plan;
• Noting any non-conformities related to tests, equipment or more generally to the operation of the MiniLab as a whole, and reporting these to managers;
• Reporting any relevant information related to laboratory operations and any problems concerning testsbeing performed correctly to the line manager;
• Ensuring that samples and all infectious waste generated by the Mini-Lab are disposed of correctly in accordance with established protocols and defined safety rules;
• Monitoring the stock in the Mini-Lab using the available resources;
• Understanding the document management set up in the laboratory;
• Managing, performing and reporting on the results of quality controls, as well as ensuring that any corrective actions are performed correctly if any non-conformity is detected.

Responsibilities specific to the Mini-Lab supervisor role:
HR:

• Ensuring that documents are given out to operators, in particular when there is an updated version;
• Managing the monitoring of technicians’ skills in the performance of their role;
• Carrying out individual interviews and managing any type of team conflict;
• Assisting the mission’s HR department in recruiting new laboratory technicians;
• Training new staff (laboratory technicians);
• Managing the Mini-Lab on a day-to-day basis to ensure proper functioning in terms of work organisation, distribution of tasks, technician planning, leave planning;
• Working in partnership with the mission’s HR department on human resources aspects of the Mini-Lab (leave, working hours, absence for any reason, etc.).

Stock:

• Managing the stock of consumables and reagents in the laboratory and placing routine orders;
• Supporting the pharmacist in pharmacy stock management, inventories and preparing international orders.

Technical:

• Supervising laboratory technicians in their daily tasks;
• Ensuring that laboratory technicians strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the MiniLab, good laboratory practices (GLP) and hygiene and safety rules;
• Resolving and monitoring non-conformities in the tests or in the functioning of the laboratory;
• Monitoring quality assurance (internal and external quality controls);
• Knowing how to find help if there is a breakdown in testing capability.

Communication and validation of results:

• Managing strains being sent to reference laboratories;
• Validating and communicating test results to clinicians;
• Ensuring that all sensitive data, in particular those relating to patient test results, remain confidential;
• Participating in the various meetings that may involve or concern the Mini-Lab.

Monitoring operations:

• Collecting and analysing laboratory activity data;
• Monitoring activity, quality and epidemiological indicators;
• Writing all types of reports for monitoring indicators on a monthly and annual basis

Minimum Required Skills and Qualifications
Education

• Diploma or post-graduate diploma in laboratory technology required

Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience working as a laboratory technician required;

Desirable:

• Professional experience in microbiology.

Languages

• English Language essential
• Other local languages considered an asset

Knowledge

• Essential computer literacy in MS Office packages (Word, Excel, internet, SharePoint, OneDrive)

Competencies

• Results driven and quality service orientation
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Behavioural Flexibility
• Commitment to MSF Principles
• Stress Management.

Application Closing Date
29th December, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Candidates should submit their application, including cover letter, resume and copy of relevant certificates and NYSC certificate/Exemption Letters using the link above;
• Only short-listed candidates will be notified and invited for interview;
• MSF Belgium takes this opportunity to thank all potential candidates for their application.
• MSF is an equal opportunity employer, both men and women are encouraged to apply.
• Dual Employment is considered gross misconduct and hence not acceptable.
• Applications should be sent through the indicated channel else application will not be entertained.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next steps.
• MSF reserves the right to cancel any step or whole of the recruitment process at any stage.