Consultant – Hospital Waste Management

.1. Purpose of the Position

Under the supervision of a WHO staff member, the consultant will support the University Clinical Service of Kosovo* (HUCSK) in developing healthcare waste management (HCWM) protocols for hospitals and develop a package for capacity building of healthcare workers and maintenance staff health care waste management.

2. Organizational context

The work will be carried out under the Healthier Kosovo project. Healthier Kosovo is a joint UN project implemented by WHO, UNDP and UNV that aims to decrease the burden of disease from air pollution, climate change, and medical waste. This will be accomplished through strengthening institutional capacities, raising awareness, empowering environment & health CSOs, and community engagement.

3. Description of duties

Under the supervision of a WHO staff member and in close collaboration with respective WHO technical staff, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Work closely with focal point from HUCSK & working group and support & guide them to develop protocols for HCWM applicable in hospitals in the local context, informed by the outcome of the 2021 survey and in line with relevant WHO guidelines and recommendations on IPC, water, sanitation and hygiene and HCWM, including interim guidance for COVID19.
• This will entail participating in the working group meetings, providing technical guidance and other relevant information to the group, and coordinating closely with the focal point from HUCSK.
• Coordinate with and update WHO team on work being carried out.
• Design an interactive package for capacity building on HCWM in secondary and tertiary healthcare from the point of generation to the moment it leaves health facilities adapted to the local context. The materials should be informed by data from the 2021 survey and relevant WHO guidelines, recommendations and tools on IPC, water, sanitation and hygiene and HCWM, including interim guidance for COVID19
• Deliver trainings for the responsible staff from health facilities (secondary and tertiary healthcare) on HCWM from the point of generation to the moment it leaves health facilities.
• Develop a training guide for trainers based on the capacity building package that can be used by health facility administrators to train new staff (HCWs and sanitary workers).

Deliverables:

• Final draft of the healthcare waste management protocols to be handed out to WHO office Pristina
• Package for capacity building on HCWM (programme, sessions descriptions, slides)
• Draft of developed training guide for trainers
• Final technical report on the work carried out during the contract
• Monthly reports

4. Recruitment Profile

Functional Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Excellent writing skills demonstrated by reports & publications from previous work experience.
• Excellent communication skills with different stakeholders in complex settings.
• Ability to work and collaborate with stakeholders representing different institutions and entities.
• Knowledge of WHOs work in the Euro region, including WHO guidelines and publications in the areas of WASH and waste management in health facilities.

Education Qualifications

Essential

• Master’s degree in public health, environmental health, environmental management, or other related fields

Experience

Essential

• 5 years in supporting health authorities and healthcare providers in improving the management of healthcare waste, WASH or IPC within healthcare facilities.
• 2 years’ experience in delivering trainings/capacity building.
• Previous experience working with local/national health authorities and international organizations.

Desirable

• Previous experience in supporting parties to implement and transpose WHO guidelines into existing practices and protocols.
• Work experience in the Balkans region.

Languages

Essential

• Excellent English writing and speaking skills.

Desirable

5. Contract duration

April 2022 - April 2023 (60 working days)

6. Location

• Majority of the work can be carried out remotely

7. Travel

• April-Dec 2022: 12 days of travel to Pristina
• Jan-April 2023: 10 days of travel to Pristina

This is subject to change and might increase/decrease, depending on the circumstances and project needs.

8. Remuneration

Band level B. 400 USD/day

9. Work schedule/Duration of contract

April 2022-April 2023 (60 working days in total)

10. Additional Information section

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.