Laboratory Scientist & Adviser
Abt Classic · Funafuti · A$10,595–A$13,387/month (stated in the posting)
Position: Laboratory Scientist & Adviser
Location: Funafuti, Tuvalu
Monthly Remuneration: AUD10,595 - AUD13,387 (inclusive of superannuation if applicable) plus location allowance and special allowance
Duration: 1 January 2027 – 31 December 2027 with the possibility of a 12-month extension
The World at Abt
Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Global. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.
We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.
To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you. Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.
Specialist Health Service:
Managed by Abt Global, the Specialist Health Service (SHS) provides strategic input on health to the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). SHS is the primary source from which DFAT accesses health and development expertise and advisory services to improve the quality of health programming across DFAT’s global and regional health portfolio, through enabling access to responsive technical advice and support.
The Opportunity
Australia has supported Tuvalu’s Princess Margaret Hospital with a laboratory adviser since 2022 to assist with maintaining capacity of the microbiology lab and strengthen the hospital’s laboratory capacity. Since then, the role has been vital in building the capacity of staff working in the lab, improving systems and processes and supporting the team in-country to bid for Government of Tuvalu funding to further support the lab’s testing and diagnostic capacity. The role has also involved and supports mentoring and training, coordination of activities and supporting new local lab scientists and technicians, strengthening local lab leadership and pipeline planning for the lab services at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Specific Duties:
The main responsibilities for the Laboratory Scientist, Tuvalu will be to work within and across the Tuvalu Ministry of Health Clinical Laboratory, in partnership with the Laboratory Manager to strengthen systems for quality management, strategic planning, supporting coordination, and embed new testing capabilities.
This role is also expected to assist with supporting the lab capacity required by the specialist locums and clinicians at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Training and capacity building
In partnership with the Laboratory Manager and staff, develop or update training plans for each staff member.
Provide and document structured and informal training, with competency assessments, particularly for new capacities in the laboratory e.g. open RT-PCR and on laboratory infection prevention and control.
Assist the laboratory team to maintain lab systems, conduct needs analysis for the lab and train new staff as required.
Draw on regional and other partnerships to harness external training and development opportunities and co-ordination e.g. the Pacific Community (SPC), Pacific Pathology Training Centre (PPTC), and explore twinning relationships with relevant institutions as required.
Contribute to professional development through seminars and/or science education in Tuvalu e.g. talks about science careers or tours of the laboratory for Secondary students or the University of the South Pacific, if opportunities arise.
Development of handover and transition and exit plans for each area of responsibility in preparation for the end of the deployment. Identify any activities needed as part of handover.
Increase in quality and standards
Mentor the lab staff to develop and update relevant laboratory protocols and strengthening laboratory quality management systems and laboratory information management.
Support the lab team in their engagement with WHO and the Pacific Community (SPC) in the updating of the Laboratory Policy, and:
Provide training and technical support to maximise the use of laboratory and scientific testing available within Tuvalu
Identify opportunities to strengthening Laboratory Information Management Systems
Provide technical assistance and guidance related to support best practices in laboratory supply chain management
Collect, create and disseminate information on innovations, best practices, and positive outcomes
Support any new testing regime that might be required by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Strengthened staffing and budgeting in work unit
Support the lab team to coordinate with the biomedical team to review equipment procurement & donation policies and efficient disposal of lab assets that are unsuitable, broken or no longer required.
Work with the lab and procurement teams at the hospital to review and strengthen systems for forecasting and procurement of lab supplies and consumables; and develop mechanisms to reduce need for emergency procurement where possible.
Data and evidence
Assist with lab analysis and identify potential areas for improvements. e.g. test turnaround time, sample quality, external quality assurance results, etc.
Accountability and working relationships
The Laboratory Scientist Adviser will be accountable to and managed by the Director Health at PMH, Acting Medical Superintendent on management-related matters.
For formal line management this position will report directly to the Acting Medical Superintendent with day-to-day reporting to the Laboratory Manager in Tuvalu.
The Adviser will be required to work closely with health authorities in Tuvalu, both statutory and internal, accepting that the resources available are finite and that all changes in clinical practice or workload, or developments requiring additional resources must have prior agreement with local health authorities.
The Adviser will undertake the administrative duties associated with the work as required.
The counterparts for this position will be the Manager of the Clinical Laboratory and new lab staff. The Adviser may also be in regular contact and engage in clinical discussions with medical doctors and clinical staff and may sit in the Heads of Departments and other relevant Clinical leadership and PMH meetings.
Key Requirements:
Required experience
Proven experience leading a small laboratory team (in a resource limited context preferred)
Proven experience in capacity building and training
Proven experience in developing and updating standard operating procedures, guidelines and implementing LQMS
Experience working in the Pacific
Required Qualifications and skills
Relevant tertiary qualification and/or equivalent relevant experience
Training and competency in laboratory infection prevention and control (experience in auditing laboratory IPC and making recommendations preferred)
Proven ability to work effectively and proactively in a low-resource setting, across disciplines and at all levels
Demonstrated ability to review evidence to make appropriate recommendations and facilitate effective decisions
Cultural and language requirements
Excellent command/highly proficient in spoken and written English and ability to communicate clearly and effectively
Demonstrated capacity to engage respectfully and appropriately with national counterparts
How to apply:
Please submit your application on the Abt Global website or Apply Now link below, attaching your CV and a cover letter (as a single PDF document) addressing how you meet the key requirements of the role. Closing date is Thursday, 05 November 2026. For any enquiries, please email recruitment@shsglobal.com.au
Abt is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce.
Disclaimer: Abt will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
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