Microbiologist - Clinical Lab Manager
Country of assignment: Venezuela
Start of contract: May 2026
Duration: 9 months
Language profile: both English and Spanish, at professional levels
Application deadline: Friday 13th of February, 2026.
Summary
- Setting up the Microbiology Laboratory at the Razzetti University Hospital in Anzoategui (pediatric department) in collaboration with logistics, supply and the HR team.
- Train lab staff on microbiology procedures and MSF protocols.
- Ensure daily management of the microbiology lab, including monitoring activities, data management and maintain supply availability.
- Participate in antibiotic stewardship and Infection Prevention Control committees
About MSF
Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistics and administrative staff - bound together by our charter. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organization.
About the role
As the selected candidate, you will be in charge of setting up a new microbiology laboratory at the pediatric/neonatology unit of the Razzetti University Hospital in Anzoategui. This will include setting up equipment and supply processes around consumables and inventory. You will define staff requirements and support the selection and onboarding of staff. You will contribute to the diagnosis of infections, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC), and antimicrobial stewardship programs. All this in accordance to MSF protocols, aimed at ensuring the quality standards of laboratory work.
You will compile, analyze, and report on clinical and microbiology laboratory activities and collect relevant information for AMR surveillance and epidemiological reporting.
You will ensure accurate registration and (confidential) documentation of all clinical and microbiology laboratory activities and oversee the correct use of WHONET for reporting and surveillance of laboratory results.
Training of the laboratory staff from scratch on MSF’s microbiology procedures and SOP’s will be key in your tasks, combined with providing guidance on adequate collection and processing of microbiology specimens.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Management
- Plan and supervise lab staff with medical referent and HR (recruitment, training, evaluation, communication).
- Compile, analyze, and report microbiology activities; present results and provide data for antibiotic resistance surveillance.
- Produce monthly reports using WHONET and monitoring programs.
- Ensure accurate data collection and reporting; implement WHONET correctly.
- Optimize communication of critical results and alerts for multi-resistant germs.
- Ensure internal/external quality control.
- Supervise proper use of lab equipment with biomedical team.
Training
- Train lab staff on microbiology procedures per MSF protocols.
- Guide proper sample collection and interpretation of results.
- Educate nursing staff on microbiology and its impact on treatment and resistance.
- Brief healthcare staff on clinical microbiology.
Routine Laboratory Work
- Participate in antibiotic stewardship committee.
- Report unusual resistant germs; suggest tests and advise clinicians on treatment.
- Contribute to audits and feedback on specific germs.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Degree in Medical Laboratory scientist/technology, Biology with a Master/PhD in clinical microbiology; or equivalent through professional experience.
- 2 years of relevant experience in clinical laboratory and bacteriology services in a hospital.
- Strong skills in antibiogram analysis and identification of antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
- Experience in team leadership and training.
- Proficiency in both the Spanish and English language.
- Previous experience working in humanitarian medical organizations is considered an asset.
- Required behavioral competencies: Analytical skills, Leadership and teamwork, flexibility and stress management
WHAT WE OFFER
- A fixed 9-month contract with a high probability of subsequent assignments with MSF in other countries.
- A non-negotiable monthly salary that will vary between 1800€ and 2200€. Details available here: https://www.msf.org/reward-policiespay-benefits.
- All logistics are organized and paid for by MSF, including flight tickets, visa administration and shared accommodation (including food & housekeeping).
- MSF assumes your medical insurance, as well as vaccinations, medical screenings and the provision of psycho-social care. This, in addition to accident insurance, including repatriation.
- 18.75 days of paid holidays (25/annum pro-rated to the duration of this 9 month contract).
Start date: May 2026
Applications will be accepted until February 13th, 2025.