Project Lead – Pandemic Fund Health Systems Strengthening

Company: Jhpiego
Location: Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Job Type: Full-Time
Industry: Public Health / Global Health / Healthcare Administration
Category: Administrative, Program Management, Health Systems Strengthening
Application Deadline: 25th Dec 2026

Jhpiego is seeking an experienced and visionary Project Lead to oversee a Pandemic Fund-supported initiative focused on strengthening specimen referral and transportation systems across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. This senior-level leadership role offers an exciting opportunity for professionals passionate about global health security, disease surveillance, laboratory systems strengthening, health program management, epidemiology, public health administration, donor-funded projects, and One Health systems integration.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for a scalable and integrated specimen referral system aligned with International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), laboratory strengthening initiatives, biosafety standards, and multisectoral public health frameworks.

Candidates interested in public health jobs in Tanzania, global health careers, donor-funded program management jobs, laboratory systems strengthening roles, epidemiology jobs, NGO project leadership careers, health administration opportunities, disease surveillance jobs and evaluation careers, and One Health program jobs are encouraged to apply.

Explore more NGO and healthcare opportunities at project lead jobs in Tanzania where new vacancies are regularly updated.

Job Overview

The Project Lead will provide strategic direction and operational leadership for the implementation of specimen referral and transportation systems to strengthen outbreak preparedness and public health emergency response.

The role focuses on improving laboratory coordination, specimen transportation efficiency, biosafety compliance, disease detection, surveillance systems, and multisectoral collaboration between human and animal health sectors.

Working closely with the Ministry of Health (Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar), WHO, donors, laboratories, and health stakeholders, the Project Lead will ensure successful implementation and sustainability of national referral systems.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight

• Provide leadership and direction for project implementation across Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar
• Lead execution of project work plans, operational frameworks, and budget implementation
• Ensure alignment with global health security strategies, WHO standards, and national health priorities
• Drive performance monitoring and adaptive project management
• Ensure effective coordination among technical teams and stakeholders

2. Technical Leadership – Specimen Referral Systems

The Project Lead will:

• Oversee development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and specimen referral algorithms
• Support strengthening of specimen transportation systems and laboratory referral pathways
• Ensure coordination between human health and animal health laboratory systems
• Promote biosafety, traceability, infection prevention, and quality assurance
• Support operationalization of national and international transport systems for laboratory specimens

Professionals looking for regional healthcare and NGO opportunities may also explore international openings through project lead jobs in Egypt for public health and medical administration careers.

3. Program Implementation & Coordination

• Oversee rollout of:
  • Zanzibar Integrated Sample Referral and Transport Operational Manual (ZISRT–OPM)
  • National Sample Referral System (SRS) Atlas
• Coordinate workshops, technical meetings, and stakeholder consultations
• Ensure smooth implementation across health facilities and laboratories
• Strengthen partnerships between surveillance teams, transport providers, and laboratories

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Management

• Serve as the primary liaison with:
  • Ministry of Health (Mainland & Zanzibar)
  • WHO
  • Donors
  • National and global health partners
• Represent Jhpiego in national technical working groups and health forums
• Facilitate One Health collaboration involving environmental, animal, and human health sectors

5. Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Supervise and mentor project teams
• Promote a collaborative and accountable work culture
• Strengthen technical capacity of government counterparts
• Facilitate continuous professional development and coaching

6. Financial & Operational Oversight

• Monitor project budgets and financial reporting
• Ensure donor compliance and effective resource utilization
• Maintain operational efficiency and accountability standards
• Support risk management and compliance procedures

7. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Track project progress and implementation milestones
• Ensure timely donor and technical reporting
• Monitor referral system adoption and performance
• Promote data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement

8. Business Development & Knowledge Management

• Document lessons learned and best practices
• Support dissemination of project findings to national and global stakeholders
• Contribute to future funding proposals and program scale-up opportunities

Healthcare and development professionals exploring regional vacancies can also browse opportunities at project lead jobs in Botswana for NGO, healthcare, and international development careers.

Educational Requirements

Applicants should possess:

• Advanced Degree in:
  • Public Health
  • Laboratory Sciences
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Systems Management
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Global Health
  • Related Health Sciences field

Additional certifications in project management, disease surveillance, laboratory quality systems, global health security, or monitoring and evaluation will be considered advantageous.

Experience Requirements

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in global health programs
• At least 3 years in senior leadership or project management roles
• Proven expertise in:
  • Laboratory systems strengthening
  • Disease surveillance
  • Public health emergency preparedness
  • Donor-funded healthcare programs
  • Health systems strengthening
• Experience working with the Government of Tanzania and international donors
• Strong exposure to multisectoral and One Health programming

Required Skills & Competencies

The ideal candidate should possess:

• Strong program leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Expertise in public health systems and laboratory strengthening
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills
• Strategic planning and budget management capability
• Strong report writing and monitoring expertise
• Experience in cross-sector collaboration and global health coordination
• High-level analytical and problem-solving ability
• Excellent interpersonal and representation skills
• Fluency in English; Swahili preferred
• Willingness to travel nationally

Salary & Benefits

Salary: Competitive and aligned with Jhpiego compensation structures.

Additional employee benefits may include:

• Health and medical insurance
• Professional development opportunities
• Leadership training
• Global health exposure
• Performance-based career growth
• Comprehensive employee benefits package

Training & Professional Development

Successful candidates will gain experience in:

• Global health security programs
• Disease outbreak preparedness
• Laboratory systems strengthening
• Public health surveillance systems
• Donor-funded project management
• International health regulations and biosafety frameworks

Why Join Jhpiego?

Joining Jhpiego provides professionals with the opportunity to:

• Work with a globally recognized public health organization
• Contribute to pandemic preparedness and response systems
• Strengthen healthcare systems and laboratory networks
• Lead impactful health programs across Tanzania
• Collaborate with ministries, WHO, and international health partners

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a single document containing a cover letter, resume, and references through the Jhpiego careers portal.

Application Deadline: 25th Dec, 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.