Application Guide
How to Apply for Laboratory Strengthening Project Manager - Reaching the Last Mile Fund
at Sightsavers
🏢 About Sightsavers
Sightsavers is unique as an international organization that combines sight protection with disability rights advocacy, operating health and inclusion programs globally. Working here offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in underserved communities while being part of a respected organization with over 70 years of experience in global health.
About This Role
This role involves managing laboratory strengthening projects under the Reaching the Last Mile Fund initiative, specifically improving laboratory systems and capacity in target regions. It's impactful because it directly addresses healthcare gaps in hard-to-reach communities, ensuring better disease detection and health outcomes through strengthened laboratory infrastructure.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve virtual meetings with laboratory teams in target regions to assess progress, coordinating with local partners on capacity-building activities, and analyzing monitoring data to prepare reports for the Reaching the Last Mile Fund. You'd also spend time developing project plans and troubleshooting implementation challenges remotely with stakeholders across different time zones.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Sightsavers Is Looking For
- Has 3+ years of project management experience specifically in global health or laboratory systems strengthening, not just general project management
- Demonstrates experience working with diverse stakeholders including government health departments, local partners, and international donors in resource-limited settings
- Possesses practical knowledge of monitoring and evaluation frameworks used in global health projects (such as logical frameworks or results frameworks)
- Has experience coordinating remote or hybrid project teams, given the remote nature of this position
📝 Tips for Applying to Sightsavers
Highlight specific experience with laboratory systems strengthening or health system strengthening projects, not just general healthcare experience
Quantify your impact in previous roles using metrics relevant to laboratory capacity (e.g., 'increased testing capacity by X%', 'reduced turnaround time by Y days')
Demonstrate understanding of Sightsavers' dual focus on health and disability rights by mentioning how laboratory strengthening supports both objectives
Show remote work competency by highlighting experience managing projects across time zones or with distributed teams
Reference the Reaching the Last Mile Fund specifically in your application materials to show you've researched this initiative
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your direct experience with laboratory systems strengthening or capacity building in global health contexts', 'Examples of successful stakeholder collaboration with diverse partners in resource-limited settings', 'How your monitoring and evaluation experience aligns with tracking laboratory system improvements', 'Why the part-time, remote nature of this role fits your skills and work style']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Sightsavers' Reaching the Last Mile Fund initiatives and their specific focus areas
- → The organization's current laboratory strengthening projects in Africa or Asia
- → Sightsavers' approach to disability-inclusive health programming
- → Recent publications or reports about laboratory system challenges in low-resource settings
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with only general project management experience without specific global health or laboratory context
- Failing to address how you would manage a part-time, remote role effectively
- Not demonstrating understanding of how laboratory strengthening fits within Sightsavers' broader mission
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!