The Mérieux Foundation
The Mérieux Foundation has been working independently to improve global health since its creation in 1967. A recognized public-benefit organization, it specializes in combating infectious diseases, particularly among vulnerable populations in resource-limited countries. The Mérieux Foundation’s actions are grounded in a commitment to strengthening local capacities, especially in clinical biology, to improve surveillance, epidemic response, and access to care. Working closely with communities to address their needs, the Foundation collaborates with local stakeholders through partnerships and networks, essential for mobilizing the skills and resources necessary to implement effective and sustainable initiatives.
It is particularly involved in the most impactful public health issues in its countries of operation, such as antimicrobial resistance, tuberculosis, acute respiratory infections, HIV, and emerging pathogens.
Committed to a holistic approach to health, the Mérieux Foundation integrates, beyond its expertise in biology, the main challenges impacting access to healthcare and living conditions in the countries where it operates. It works directly in more than 25 countries worldwide, in close collaboration with local stakeholders, enabling it to adapt its programs and actions to the realities on the ground and the needs of the populations.
By focusing on cross-cutting and international activities, it contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG No. 3 “Good Health and Well-being”, No. 4
“Quality Education”, No. 9 “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” and No. 17 “Partnerships for Achieving the Goals”.
Joining the Foundation means becoming part of a team of nearly 150 employees spread across 16 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, united around common values: international solidarity, commitment, expertise and collaboration.
In Africa, the Mérieux Foundation has:
- From a coordination team grouped within an Africa Office based in Dakar;
- From a West Africa Office which coordinates projects in Senegal, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau (based in Dakar);
- From a Gulf of Guinea office which coordinates projects in Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Guinea Conakry (based in Lomé);
- From a Central Africa Office which coordinates projects in DRC, Burundi, Chad, CAR, Cameroon (based in Kinshasa).
Job context
In Africa, the Mérieux Foundation and its partners support the strengthening of laboratory systems. Insufficient capacities in biological risk management constitute a significant vulnerability, including risks of accidental exposure of healthcare personnel, environmental contamination, and the diversion of pathogens for malicious purposes.
To address these challenges, the Mérieux Foundation, alongside its partners, is implementing several projects aimed at sustainably strengthening biosafety and biosecurity in various countries in West and Central Africa.
General objective of the function
Under the hierarchical supervision of the Technical Assistant for Africa, the Regional Biosafety and Biosecurity Expert is the technical reference for the Mérieux Foundation’s BSS projects in Africa.
He ensures the technical quality of BSS project activities, guarantees the alignment of interventions with international standards and national regulations, and ensures the quality and harmonization of practices, while supporting teams in their implementation, continuous improvement, and skills development. He maintains close working relationships with the SIGL Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Quality Manager, based at headquarters, as well as with the various BSS Project Managers in Africa.
Main missions
Mission 1: Provide technical expertise and support across all BSS aspects of the projects
- Ensure the technical consistency of project activities across the four countries.
- Advise Project Managers working on all issues related to biosafety and biosecurity.
- Ensure the application of international standards, national regulations and good biosafety and biosecurity practices in all interventions.
- To ensure scientific and regulatory monitoring of international developments in biosafety and biosecurity.
Mission 2: Develop, control and supervise all technical deliverables for biosecurity and biosafety of BSS projects.
- Plan the production of technical deliverables: define the expected deliverables, responsibilities, formats and deadlines.
- Develop and coordinate the drafting of deliverables: produce technical documents and mobilize the various contributing teams.
- Controlling quality and compliance: verifying the accuracy, consistency and adherence to project requirements and standards.
- Supervise reviews and validation: organize technical reviews, integrate observations and ensure final validation.
- Ensure document tracking and reporting: manage versions, archiving, traceability, risks and the progress status of deliverables.
Mission 3: Strengthen the technical capacities of partners
- Identify and coordinate the updating of countries’ training programs in biosafety and biosecurity, in accordance with international standards and national regulations.
- To create, train and support a regional pool of trainers.
- Provide technical mentoring to national teams.
- Coordinate and supervise the support provided to laboratories in the continuous improvement of their practices.
- Contribute to the development of a regional community of practice in biosafety and biosecurity.
Mission 4: Support technical interventions in the countries
- Carry out technical support missions for national teams.
- Support the evaluation of laboratory infrastructure and equipment.
- Formulate technical recommendations to improve the biosafety and biosecurity conditions of projects.
- Support the integration of technical requirements during the deployment of LabBook, in collaboration with the SIL Assistant.
- Ensure that all interventions carried out in the four countries are aligned with national regulations and BSS international standards.
Mission 5: Contribute to technical monitoring
- Contribute to the monitoring and analysis of technical indicators of BSS projects, particularly those relating to biosafety and biosecurity.
- Participate in monitoring, supervision and evaluation missions, ensuring compliance with applicable biosafety and biosecurity standards and procedures.
- Contribute to the analysis of technical results, the identification of biological risks and the capitalization of lessons learned from projects.
- Participate in the development and dissemination of technical and scientific publications, integrating, where relevant, biosecurity and biosafety issues.
Mission 6: Contribute to the development of technical partnerships for the Mérieux Foundation
- Actively participate in the work of regional technical groups dedicated to biosecurity and biosafety.
- Contribute to the preparation, organization and follow-up of regional technical meetings for projects.
- Promoting the sharing of experiences, best practices and lessons learned between countries implementing projects on biosecurity and biosafety issues
- Contribute to the identification and development of new partnership and intervention opportunities for the Mérieux Foundation in the fields of biosecurity and biosafety.
Profile
Initial training
- Master’s level university degree (Bac+5) in biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences or an equivalent field.
Further training / specialization
- Specialized training in BSS, ideally the IFBA “Professional Certification in Biological Risk Assessment”.
- Advanced mastery of international standards: ISO 35001, ISO 15189, ISO 15190, WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual, Joint External Evaluation, International Health Regulations (2005), Global Health Security Agenda, or equivalent standards.
Desired experience
- At least 8 years of professional experience in public health.
- At least 5 years of experience in biosafety/biosecurity and biological risk management.
- Proven experience in developing laboratory capabilities.
- Experience in conducting technical assessments and conformity assessments to international standards.
- Experience working with Ministries of Health, international organizations and technical partners.
- Experience in West African countries is an asset.
Required professional skills
- Expertise in biosafety and biosecurity, as well as in biological risk management.
- Mastery of international standards applicable to laboratories.
- Evaluation and strengthening of national laboratory systems.
- Design and delivery of technical training courses.
- Analysis of biological risks and formulation of recommendations.
- Collection, analysis and interpretation of technical data.
- Excellent scientific and technical writing skills.
Required behavioral skills: Analytical mind and scientific rigor.
Strong organizational skills and autonomy. Excellent teaching abilities. Team spirit and collaboration.
LANGUAGES
- Excellent command of English and French, both spoken and written.
How to apply
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Employment contract under Senegalese law with a fixed term of one (01) year renewable;
- Working hours: full time (40 hours/week);
- 100% health insurance for the employee and their dependents.
- Gross annual total compensation package:
- Gross monthly salary (taxable): 1,600,000 FCFA depending on experience + 13th month pro rata to time spent (payment in November);
- Performance bonus calculated on gross monthly salary (eligibility after nine (09) months of presence in the calendar year and paid in March).
Applications (CV and cover letter) should be sent with the subject line “Regional Biosafety and Biosecurity Expert” to the following address before 31/10/2026: recrutementAfo@fondation-merieux.org Written tests and interviews will be conducted.
The Mérieux Foundation reserves the right to close the recruitment process before the deadline for publishing the offer.