Jhpiego is an international, non-profit health organization affiliated with The Johns Hopkins University. For more than 50 years and in over 155 countries, Jhpiego has worked to prevent the needless deaths of women and their families. Jhpiego provides technical support to Ministries of Health across the globe in areas including HIV/AIDS, maternal and newborn health, family planning, health workforce development, cervical cancer prevention, malaria, and IPC/WASH.
In Eswatini, Jhpiego is implementing the Reaching Impact Saturation and Epidemic Control (RISE) project. RISE is a multi-country project funded by the U.S. Government to save lives and improve health through integrated, evidence-based approaches to address urgent gaps in lifesaving services. RISE works across all levels of the health system to strengthen the HIV/TB epidemic response, to limit the spread of deadly disease outbreaks through Global Health Security (GHS) programming, and to reduce preventable morbidity and mortality through integrated maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH), nutrition, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria services. Since 2019, RISE has supported programs in more than 25 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Job Summary
- Type: full-time
- Location: Mbabane
- Category: Healthcare
- Closing Date: 2026-08-25
Key Responsibilities
- She/He will serve as the liaison between RISE and the Eswatini Health Laboratory Services on laboratory-related matters in supported facilities. The Laboratory and Supply Chain Advisor will work closely with Technical Advisors for Clinical Services to ensure result utilization (e.g., Viral Load, early infant diagnosis, CD4, TB, etc.) and improved coverage in supported facilities.
- Supports in overseeing all laboratory activities under RISE to ensure they meet required standards
- Contributes to and participates in the Lab Technical Working Group (TWG) and task forces (e.g., viral load).
- Provides technical assistance to strengthen identified weak program areas by developing policies, guidelines, and other key strategic documents.
- Conducts proactive consultative meetings with the Chief and Regional Technologists to discuss and address implementation issues.
- Collaborates closely with the lab lead partner.
- Participates in national-level quantification and forecasting exercises for pharmaceutical and laboratory commodities to ensure adequate supply in supported facilities.
- Collaborates with national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, to review and update quantification and forecasting methodologies, ensuring alignment with national guidelines and best practices.
- Supports HCWs in the supported facilities to monitor stock levels of pharmaceutical and laboratory commodities and provides early warning of potential stockouts to facilitate timely action by relevant stakeholders.
- Participates in Regional Health Management Team (RHMT) meetings, providing quarterly lab updates on key performance indicators (e.g., results turnaround time, national sample transport system, stock levels, internal and external quality assessment/proficiency testing).
- Reviews programmatic data (e.g., HIV, Viral Load, Early Infant Diagnosis, TB, CD4, advanced HIV disease, Cervical Cancer, etc.), identifies gaps and opportunities for improvement in implementing sites, and collaborates with Technical Advisors to implement strategies for improvement using the Quality Improvement (QI) approaches.
- Develops program evaluation strategies, methodologies, and indicators for monitoring diagnostic services (e.g., HIV, Viral Load, Early Infant Diagnosis, TB, CD4, advanced HIV disease, Cervical Cancer, etc.) in supported facilities and prioritizes interventions with high impact potential.
- Identifies and communicates technical issues negatively impacting project implementation.
- Provides technical support to RISE clinical teams and healthcare workers for diagnostic services provision and designs evidence-based program interventions.
- Utilizes SIMS and baseline quality assessment data to ensure evidence-based information is integrated into the planning and implementation of Point-of-Care testing in supported health facilities.
- Conducts “action reviews” to consistently monitor the quality and appropriateness of technical assistance provided to healthcare workers.
- Conducts regular onsite mentorship visits to healthcare workers on supply chain management laboratory issues, including Quality Assurance (QA), in all supported sites, and facilitates/ coordinates training for healthcare workers.
- Provides technical assistance to RISE-supported facilities in supply chain management, including stock monitoring, storage, and distribution of pharmaceutical and laboratory commodities.
- Collaborates with facility staff to forecast pharmaceutical and laboratory commodity needs, ensure accurate quantification, and minimize stockouts.
- Strengthens the capacity of facility staff in supply chain management through mentoring and on-the-job training.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in laboratory sciences
- A Master’s Degree in Public Health is an added advantage
- Demonstrated expertise in providing technical assistance for supply chain management, laboratory tests, and laboratory programs;
- At least 4 years working in a laboratory setting in Eswatini
- Self-motivated, self-starter who can work independently and collaborate with multiple teams
- Good interpersonal skills are essential
- Strong written and verbal skills
- Strong analytical skills
- Ability to effectively manage others and work as part of a team
- Ability and willingness to work during weekends and after hours
- Ability and willingness to undertake frequent in-country travel
- Fluency in English and SiSwati is required
- Computer literacy, including use of basic Microsoft packages (Word, Excel & PowerPoint) and statistical packages
Salary
Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.
How to Apply
To apply, please visit: jobs-jhpiego.icims.com
Job Code: 2026-8030
About the Company
Jhpiego is a nonprofit organization for international health affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. The group was founded in 1973 and initially called the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics, but is now referred to simply as Jhpiego.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for this role in Eswatini?
A bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science, Pharmacy, Public Health, or a related health or supply chain field is usually required; postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MSc in Health Systems or Supply Chain Management) are advantageous. Registration with the Eswatini Allied Health Professions Council (EAHPC) or relevant professional body is often expected, especially for laboratory-related advisory functions.
What does a typical day look like for a Laboratory & Supply Chain Advisor working with an NGO like Jhpiego in Eswatini?
You’ll likely support district hospitals and health facilities by conducting laboratory quality assessments, mentoring lab staff, and troubleshooting supply chain bottlenecks for essential commodities like reagents and diagnostics. Coordination with the Ministry of Health, NHLS, and local procurement units is routine, and travel to rural health facilities across all four regions (Hhohho, Manzini, Lubombo, Shiselweni) is common.
How does workplace culture and professional expectations differ in Eswatini compared to other countries?
Respect for hierarchy and seniority is strong—advisors are expected to engage respectfully with MoH officials and facility managers, often using formal titles and seeking consensus before implementing changes. Punctuality and relationship-building through face-to-face meetings remain highly valued, and flexibility around local holidays, community events, and administrative delays is essential for effectiveness.
What realistic career progression paths exist for someone in this role within the Eswatini health sector?
With experience, advisors often advance to senior technical roles such as National Laboratory Coordinator or Supply Chain Manager within MoH or partner NGOs—or transition into policy advisory positions with bodies like the Eswatini National Drug Authority. Some pursue further studies locally (e.g., UNISWA) or regionally (e.g., UCT or Wits), then take on regional or continental roles with AU or WHO-supported programmes.
What benefits can I realistically expect from an employer like Jhpiego operating in Eswatini?
Standard benefits typically include 30 days annual leave, full medical aid coverage (often via a local provider like NCB or SwaziCare), and pension contributions aligned with the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) requirements. Some NGOs also offer hardship allowances for remote postings and professional development stipends for accredited training relevant to the role.
How should I apply, and what do employers in Eswatini specifically look for in candidates for this role?
Applications are usually submitted online via the NGO’s portal or email, with a CV clearly highlighting experience in laboratory systems strengthening, commodity logistics, and MoH collaboration in Eswatini or similar SADC settings. Employers prioritise demonstrated cultural competence, fluency in siSwati and English, proven ability to train frontline health workers, and familiarity with national tools like the Eswatini Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) and National Health Laboratory Strategic Plan.