About PATH

PATH is a global health nonprofit dedicated to accelerating health equity by developing and scaling innovative solutions in partnership with governments, NGOs, and the private sector. Working at PATH means contributing to tangible, high-impact programs that strengthen health systems and save lives, with a culture that values collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to measurable results.

About the role

As a Regional Laboratory Officer, you will be at the forefront of improving malaria diagnosis quality across health facilities in Ethiopia. Your work will involve direct mentorship, training, and supportive supervision of laboratory staff, directly impacting patient outcomes and contributing to the global fight against malaria and neglected tropical diseases. This role is critical for building local capacity and ensuring accurate diagnoses, making it a highly impactful position within PATH's mission.

A typical day

A typical day might start with traveling to a health facility to conduct a baseline assessment, observing lab technicians performing malaria smears, and providing on-the-spot feedback. Afternoons could involve leading a training session on QA practices, developing a mentorship checklist, or reviewing data from recent supervisions to plan follow-up visits. Evenings might be spent documenting findings and coordinating with the central team to ensure consistent support across the region.

Who PATH is looking for

A BSc holder in Laboratory Sciences with at least 5 years of hands-on laboratory experience, ideally with a focus on malaria microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), or molecular diagnostics.
A seasoned trainer and mentor who can effectively coach laboratory staff at various levels, using adult learning principles and practical, on-site demonstrations.
A skilled assessor and program designer with experience in conducting baseline assessments, developing quality assurance (QA) plans, and creating supportive supervision tools like checklists and SOPs.
A resilient and adaptable professional who is comfortable with extensive travel (up to 80%) to remote health facilities, often in challenging conditions, and can work independently with minimal supervision.
Familiarity with Ethiopia's health system, laboratory networks, and malaria epidemiology is a strong advantage, as is prior experience working with NGOs or international organizations.

Tips for this application

Tailor your CV to highlight specific experiences in malaria diagnosis, quality assurance, and mentorship, using concrete examples of how you have improved laboratory practices in low-resource settings.
In your cover letter, explicitly mention your willingness and ability to travel extensively within Ethiopia, and provide examples of how you have adapted to remote or challenging environments.
Demonstrate your knowledge of PATH's work by referencing specific PATH malaria or NTD projects in Ethiopia or similar contexts, showing that you have done your homework.
Quantify your achievements: instead of saying 'provided training,' say 'trained 150 lab technicians across 30 health facilities, resulting in a 25% improvement in malaria diagnostic accuracy.'
Highlight any experience in developing or revising SOPs, job aids, or QA tools, and if possible, include links to samples or describe the impact of these tools.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Emphasize your hands-on experience in malaria laboratory diagnosis and QA, with specific examples of how you have improved diagnostic accuracy or patient outcomes.', 'Showcase your mentorship and training skills, detailing how you have built capacity among laboratory staff in resource-limited settings.', "Express genuine passion for PATH's mission and global health equity, and connect your personal values to PATH's approach of partnership and innovation.", 'Address the travel requirement upfront, expressing your flexibility and commitment to supporting health facilities in remote areas, possibly referencing past experiences of frequent travel.']

Draft a cover letter

Research before applying

Research PATH's current malaria and NTD projects in Ethiopia, including any recent publications or press releases, to understand their focus areas and approaches.
Look into PATH's overall strategy for malaria elimination and NTD control, and how they collaborate with the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health and other partners.
Familiarize yourself with the Ethiopian health system structure, particularly the laboratory network and the challenges faced in malaria diagnosis in remote areas.
Review PATH's core values and culture by visiting their 'About Us' page and reading employee testimonials on platforms like Glassdoor to understand what they value in staff.

PATH website

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

How would you design a mentorship program for laboratory staff in a low-resource setting? Provide a step-by-step approach.
Describe a time when you had to adapt your training style to accommodate different learning levels among lab staff. What was the outcome?
What are the key components of a malaria quality assurance program, and how would you implement them across multiple health facilities?
How do you handle situations where health facilities resist change or lack resources for QA? Provide a specific example.
Given the extensive travel, how do you manage your time and maintain your own well-being while ensuring consistent support to facilities?

Practise interview questions

Common mistakes to avoid

Don't submit a generic CV and cover letter; tailor them to this specific role and location. Mention Ethiopia and malaria explicitly.
Avoid downplaying the travel requirement. If you are not genuinely willing to travel 80%, don't apply, or be honest about your limitations.
Don't focus only on your technical lab skills; emphasize your ability to train, mentor, and support others. This role is as much about people as it is about lab work.

Deadline

No deadline is listed. Roles without a deadline usually close once the employer has enough candidates, so apply soon if you are interested.