Laboratory Manager – Pharo Health, Somaliland
Hargeisa, Somaliland
Overview
The Pharo Foundation (“the Foundation”) is a pioneering, mission-driven organization working to
build a vibrant, productive, and self-reliant Africa. Founded and fully funded by Pharo Management,
an emerging markets hedge fund, the Foundation represents a new model of philanthro capitalism: a
private endowment using its own capital to design, fund, and operate development programmes with
private-sector discipline and long-term commitment.
Over the next decade, the Foundation’s ambition is to deliver lasting impact across three
interdependent missions:
1. Empowering the next generation through affordable, high-quality education.
2. Solving water scarcity by building and operating sustainable water infrastructure.
3. Driving economic productivity by unlocking jobs, investment, and innovation through both nonprofit and for-profit ventures.
Pharo Ventures, which is the Foundation’s for profit- arm, is building commercially sustainable
businesses across East Africa to create thousands of jobs and generate inclusive economic
growth. We complement the development work above by running for-profit ventures with
our current interest being in agri-business and healthcare sectors.
Pharo Health
Pharo Health is establishing a portfolio of companies under the Pharo Ventures Group, to drive its
healthcare strategy across the region. We intend to transform the healthcare landscape in the Horn
of Africa region by providing access to a network of premium diagnostic centers. Pharo
Health Somaliland will be a portfolio company of Pharo Ventures Group.
The first healthcare venture in the portfolio is currently being established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Building on this foundation, the organization is now launching a flagship diagnostic and healthcare
services business in Somaliland, with ambitions to expand nationally and across the wider region.
The Somaliland business will operate as part of a growing regional healthcare network, benefiting
from cross-border collaboration, shared expertise, and operational synergies.
Position summary
The Laboratory Manager is responsible for the overall strategic and operational leadership of the
PDC-SL Laboratory. This includes overseeing all departments (Hematology, Biochemistry,
Microbiology, Serology, and Histopathology), ensuring the highest level of diagnostic accuracy,
maintaining international quality standards, and managing a robust supply chain for reagents and
consumables.
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Key Relationships
Job Title: Laboratory Manager
Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland
Reporting To: General Manager / Operations Manager
Direct Reports: Lab Technicians, Phlebotomists, Lab Assistants.

Duties and Responsibilities
A. Operational Leadership & Workflow
• Manage the end-to-end laboratory process: Pre-analytical (phlebotomy/collection),
Analytical (testing), and post-analytical (reporting).
• Optimize Turnaround Times (TAT) to ensure clinicians and patients receive results
promptly.
• Oversee the implementation and daily use of the Laboratory Information System (LIS) to
ensure digital integration and data integrity.
B. Quality Assurance & Accreditation
• Lead the laboratory toward achieving and maintaining ISO 15189 accreditation.
• Design and monitor internal quality control (IQC) and external quality assurance (EQA)
programs.
• Ensure all equipment is regularly calibrated and maintained through strict preventive
maintenance schedules.
• Investigate any diagnostic discrepancies and implement corrective and preventive actions
(CAPA).
C. Supply Chain & Inventory Management
• Manage the inventory of reagents and consumables to ensure zero stock-outs, which is
critical in the Hargeisa context.
• Liaise with international and local vendors for the procurement of high-quality diagnostic
kits.
• Monitor cold-chain integrity for temperature-sensitive reagents from supplier to laboratory.
D. Financial & Resource Management
• Develop and manage the annual laboratory budget in collaboration with the General Manager.
• Monitor "cost per test" and implement strategies to reduce wastage while maintaining
quality.
• Evaluate the "Return on Investment" (ROI) for new diagnostic equipment or test menus.
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E. Team Management & Safety
• Recruit, train, and mentor a high-performing team of laboratory professionals.
• Ensure strict adherence to Biosafety protocols and chemical hygiene plans.
• Organize continuous professional development (CPD) sessions to keep the team updated on
modern diagnostic trends.
F. Stakeholder & Clinical Liaison
• Act as the technical point of contact for the Cardiologist, OB-GYN, and external referring
doctors regarding test interpretations or new test requirements.
• Ensure excellent patient experience at the blood collection/phlebotomy stations

Required Qualifications & Experience
• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory sciences (BMLS) or Biomedical Sciences.
• Master’s degree in laboratory management, Health Management, or MBA is highly
preferred.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in a clinical laboratory, with at least 4 years in a
supervisory or managerial role.
• Proven experience in setting up or managing a laboratory to ISO
15189 or CAP standards.
• Experience with automated platforms.
• Licensing: Registered as a Laboratory Professional with the Somaliland National Health
Professions Commission (NHPC).
4. Key Competencies & Skills
• Technical Mastery: Deep understanding of laboratory automation, molecular diagnostics,
and pathology workflows.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to troubleshoot complex equipment failures or technical errors.
• Supply Chain Resilience: Strong ability to plan for long lead times in reagent shipping and
customs.
• Leadership: Ability to manage a diverse team under high-pressure diagnostic environments.
• Languages: Fluency in English (technical/reporting); Somali language is an asset.
5. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
1. TAT Compliance: % of tests released within the promised turnaround time.
2. Quality Score: Zero "critical" non-conformities during internal or external audits.
3. Inventory Control: Zero downtime due to reagent stock-outs.
4. Error Rate: Maintaining a laboratory error rate of <0.5%.
5. Staff Competency: 100% of staff completing annual competency assessments.

Applicants are required to attach a detailed CV and Cover letter by August 7, 2026.
To apply, please click this link https://a.peoplehum.com/763us
We will review applications on a rolling basis, and in the event that an exceptional candidate is
identified early in the process, Pharo Foundation reserves the right to make an appointment before
the advertised deadline. We therefore encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted due to the high volume of applications
received.
Pharo Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and
gender equality in all its practices. We encourage applications from qualified individuals regardless of
race, gender, religion, or background