The Global Laboratory Leadership Programme (GLLP) is a training initiative to create strong leaders in health security. The Programme provides laboratory professionals with the tools to develop their laboratory leadership competencies and advance effective national laboratory systems for improved health security using a One Health approach. The GLLP was founded and developed by six partners:

Watch the video below to hear from GLLP participants and participating country leaders about their experiences and the impact of the Programme:

Laboratory Leadership Competency Framework

GLLP Framework

GLLP is a learning program designed to foster and mentor current and emerging laboratory leaders to build, strengthen and sustain national laboratory systems to fill the gaps in advanced leadership learning opportunities in low- and middle-income countries. 

International experts agree that laboratory leaders need certain core competencies to meet national, regional, and global disease prevention and control objectives. To further this goal, the partners developed the Laboratory Leadership Competency Framework (also available in Spanish, French or Russian). 

The Core Competencies

The Framework outlines nine competencies that encompass human, animal and environmental health for a One Health approach to laboratory leadership:

  • Laboratory
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Communication
  • Quality
  • Biosafety and Biosecurity
  • Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation
  • Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery
  • Research

The Competency Framework in Action

The Framework can be used for:

  • Workforce Development: as a standardized reference for laboratory workforce development applicable across human, animal, environmental and other relevant health sectors.

  • Programme Development: as a foundation for laboratory leadership learning programmes.

  • Specific Job Descriptions: as guidance in writing standardized job descriptions.

  • Needs Assessments: as guidance in developing a tool for self-assessment, observer assessment or a combination of both to identify individual or group needs and guide staff development planning.

  • Self-assessments: as guidance for individuals in assessing their current level of knowledge, skills and abilities, identifying areas in need of improvement and planning for achieving higher levels of proficiency.

GLLP Learning Package

The GLLP Learning Package includes four sections (Introduction, Laboratory Management, Laboratory Leadership, and Laboratory Systems) comprising 13 units and 43 modules, with over 200 contact hours' worth of materials, all with a strong One Health focus. This curriculum provides the materials necessary to implement programmes in any country or educational institution in the world and includes: 

  • GLLP Planning and Implementation Guide

  • GLLP Mentorship Guide

  • Virtual and in-person course materials (including PowerPoint presentations and instructor and participant guides)

Materials are hosted on the WHO Health Security Learning Platform (HSLP) and have been reviewed by subject matter experts from human, animal and environmental health laboratories.

Access the WHO HSLP and Learn More About GLLP

GLLP Resources

Check out the resources below to learn more about GLLP: 

Contact Us

Please contact global.health.training@aphl.org or gllp@who.int to learn more.​

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About GLLP

Goal

Foster and mentor current and emerging laboratory leaders to build, strengthen and sustain national laboratory systems.

Vision

Laboratory leaders empowering national laboratory systems across the globe using a One Health approach to strengthen health security.   

Mission

To provide laboratory professionals with the tools to develop their laboratory leadership competencies and advance effective national laboratory systems for improved health security using a One Health approach. 

Purpose

A unique workforce development initiative led by six organizations (the GLLP Partners) working globally in the human, animal and environmental health sectors. The goal of the GLLP is to foster and mentor current and emerging laboratory leaders to build, strengthen and sustain national laboratory systems. The GLLP combines didactic learning with mentorship, practical experience and a community of practice to support individual learning and laboratory systems strengthening.