The Africa Research Collaborative (The ARC) is recruiting an Assistant Laboratory Manager to support its implementation of the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Programme in Sierra Leone.
This is genuinely important public health work, the CHAMPS programme exists to identify and track the actual causes of under-five child deaths and stillbirths through advanced laboratory diagnostics, feeding directly into how child health policies get shaped across Africa. The role itself sits at the operational core of that mission, supporting the Laboratory Manager in running daily lab operations, quality assurance, and biorepository management.
Key Details
The application deadline is 12th August 2026. The role is based in Makeni, Sierra Leone, and is a full-time position. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants need a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Medical Laboratory Science, or a related field, alongside a minimum National Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science.
Beyond the academic qualifications, candidates need real experience in laboratory management, quality assurance, and biorepository operations, this isn't an entry-level lab role, it requires someone who's already worked within structured laboratory systems.
Strong knowledge of ISO 15189 and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards is expected, along with hands-on experience using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). Beyond the technical requirements, The ARC is looking for excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and computer skills, and the genuine ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and function effectively within a team, since this role involves both hands-on lab work and staff supervision simultaneously.
What the Role Involves
Day to day, the Assistant Laboratory Manager supports daily management and supervision of laboratory operations, working to ensure compliance with safety procedures and quality standards throughout.
A significant part of the role involves developing and monitoring Quality Management Systems, conducting internal quality audits, and supporting external inspections, real regulatory and compliance work, not just technical bench duties.
The role also covers maintaining Standard Operating Procedures and ensuring ongoing regulatory compliance, overseeing the collection, storage, tracking, and management of biological samples, and managing laboratory reagents, consumables, and inventory.
On the reporting side, the Assistant Laboratory Manager prepares laboratory performance reports and maintains accurate documentation, while also training laboratory staff on quality assurance and best practices, meaning this role carries a genuine mentorship and capacity-building component alongside its technical responsibilities.
Application Process
- Prepare a Cover Letter and an updated CV
- Email both to recruitment@thearchealth.org
- Clearly state "Assistant Laboratory Manager" in the email subject line, applications without the correct subject line may not be considered
- Submit before 12th August 2026
Major Considerations
The ISO 15189 and Good Laboratory Practice knowledge requirement is worth taking seriously, this points to a role with real regulatory weight behind it, not just routine lab work. Candidates without direct exposure to formal quality management systems or LIMS platforms in a previous role may find themselves at a real disadvantage here, even with a strong academic background in life sciences.
The subject line instruction is also unusually specific and worth following exactly. The ARC states plainly that applications without the correct subject line may not be considered, a detail easy to overlook but potentially costly if missed.
Should You Apply?
This is a strong fit for laboratory professionals with a background in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, or Medical Laboratory Science who have real, hands-on experience in laboratory management, quality assurance systems, and biorepository operations, ideally with direct exposure to ISO 15189 standards and LIMS platforms.
Less suited for early-career lab technicians without prior management or quality systems experience, given how much of the role centers on compliance, audits, and staff supervision rather than purely bench-level work.
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