GHS, Surveillance & Laboratory Digitalization Specialist

GHS, Surveillance & Laboratory Digitalization Specialist

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. Palladium operates in over 90 countries with a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff.

We are seeking to recruit a GHS, Surveillance & Laboratory Digitalization Specialist for Project AFGHS-P in Niger, a USG-funded (U.S. Department of State) project starting on 1 October 2026. This is a locally recruited position and does not include relocation assistance or expatriate benefits. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in Niger.

Position Summary

The GHS, Surveillance & Laboratory Digitalization Specialist strengthens the data systems that support global health security in Niger. The position leads surveillance data governance, data quality assessments and 7-1-7 timeliness monitoring with the Directorate of Surveillance and Response to Epidemics (DSRE) and the Directorate of Sanitary Laboratories (DLS), and leads the functional implementation of STELab and LabBook, specimen identification and end-to-end traceability. The specialist owns the GHS data governance, DQA and 7-1-7 milestone (NIG06) and is the functional lead for laboratory digitization and traceability.

Location: Niamey, Niger (with field travel to regions and districts)

Reports to: Country Lead – Niger (Project AFGHS-P)

Expected start: As soon as possible and no later than 31 October 2026

Key Responsibilities

• Agree with DSRE and DLS the GHS data-governance and identifier framework, the data-responsibility matrix, the DQA protocol, 7-1-7 timestamp definitions, priority diseases, sampled districts and baseline.

• Conduct the four surveillance DQA/7-1-7 review cycles, document findings and assign and track corrective actions to closure or escalation.

• Design and run the joint detect-notify-response simulation, documenting timestamps, findings and corrective actions.

• Coordinate with FHI360/STRIDES and other GHS partners, including their data in DQA and Early Action Reviews.

• Lead the functional implementation of STELab and LabBook: workflows, configuration, unique sample identification and traceability, and laboratory information management (NIG09).

• Provide functional requirements and validation for the STELab/LabBook–OpenFn–DHIS2 interface with the Senior Digital Health & Interoperability Specialist; participate in UAT and monitoring.

• Train and follow up CSI and laboratory users and verify competency and independent application, with the Capacity Building Coordinator.

• Assess surveillance and laboratory data quality and timeliness and support DSRE/DLS in analysis of results.

• Produce milestone evidence: governance framework, DQA reports, corrective-action tracker, simulation reports and traceability records.

• Travel to regions, districts and laboratories for supervision and data verification.

• Education Qualification

• Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, laboratory sciences, biology, health informatics or a related discipline.

• Knowledge and Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in epidemiological surveillance, laboratory information systems or global health security programs.

• Strong knowledge of IDSR, event-based and indicator-based surveillance, the 7-1-7 target and Early Action Reviews.

• Experience implementing laboratory information systems (such as LabBook, STELab or equivalent), sample referral and specimen traceability.

• Experience with data quality assessment methods and DHIS2; knowledge of interoperability concepts is an asset.

• Experience working with DSRE, DLS or equivalent structures in West Africa; knowledge of the Niger context is an asset.

• Strong training, coordination and reporting skills.

• Languages

• Fluency in French is required; working knowledge of English is required.

• Other Desirable Skills

• Field experience, rigor with data, and ability to work with surveillance and laboratory teams under time pressure.