Laboratory Technician / Phlebotomist – Pharo Health, 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
   non-profit 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.

1. Position summary
   The Laboratory Technician / Phlebotomist provides essential support to laboratory operations by
   performing patient specimen collection, preparation, and processing. This dual-function role bridges
   the gap between direct patient interaction and technical laboratory support. The incumbent is
   responsible for ensuring the reliability of diagnostic results by maintaining specimen integrity, adhering to strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and complying with rigorous biosafety and
   quality assurance standards to ensure patient safety and diagnostic accuracy.
2. Key Relationships
   Position Title: Laboratory Technician / Phlebotomist
   Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland
   Reports To: Laboratory Manager
   Duties and Responsibilities
   A. Specimen Collection (Phlebotomy) and Handling
   • Perform safe and accurate blood collection via venipuncture and capillary sampling following
   established clinical protocols.
   • Conduct mandatory patient identification and verify test requests prior to collection to
   eliminate pre-analytical errors.
   • Accurately label, register, and document specimens at the point of collection to ensure 100%
   traceability.
   • Explain procedures clearly to patients to ensure informed consent, comfort, and safety.
   • Maintain specimen integrity through appropriate handling, storage, and prioritized
   transportation to the analytical area.
   B. Sample Preparation and Processing
   • Process biological specimens (blood, urine, body fluids) for analysis, including tasks such as
   centrifugation, aliquoting, and chemical preservation.
   • Monitor and maintain specific storage conditions (e.g., temperature control) required for
   different test parameters.
   • Prioritize workload based on clinical urgency (STAT vs. Routine) and laboratory workflow
   demands.
   • Screen specimens for quality issues such as hemolysis, lipemia, contamination, or labeling
   discrepancies and report findings immediately.
3. Laboratory Operations Support
   • Assist Laboratory Technologists in the execution of routine and specialized diagnostic assays.
   • Prepare reagents, culture media, and laboratory consumables in strict accordance with SOPs.
   • Organize and maintain clean, efficient workstations to support uninterrupted laboratory
   workflow.
   • Assist in inventory management by tracking stock levels of phlebotomy and lab supplies to
   prevent stock-outs.

   D. Equipment Care and Maintenance
   • Clean, disinfect, and perform routine maintenance on phlebotomy chairs, trays, and
   laboratory instruments.
   • Perform daily basic function checks and troubleshooting for point-of-care (POC) devices or
   small lab equipment.
   • Promptly report technical faults or equipment malfunctions to the Laboratory Manager.

4. Safety, Quality, and Documentation
   • Maintain 100% compliance with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and biosafety
   guidelines. Ensure safe disposal of sharps and biohazardous waste.
   • Adhere to SOPs and participate in internal audits and quality control activities to ensure
   compliance with PDC-SL standards.
   • Accurately enter patient and specimen data into the Laboratory Information System (LIS).
   Maintain strict patient confidentiality and ethical data handling.
5. Communication and Team Collaboration
   • Communicate professionally and empathetically with patients to minimize anxiety during
   procedures.
   • Work collaboratively with the wider laboratory and clinical team to ensure seamless service
   delivery.
   • Escalate any clinical challenges, safety risks, or needle-stick injuries immediately to the
   supervisor.