Health Environmental Specialist (Medical Waste Management), P-4, For 364 days, Kabul, Afghanistan (Open to non-Afghan nationals)

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 134,999 USD and 174,054 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a Hero

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbkJiMmvKqk

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the Chief of Health, the Environmental Health Specialist is accountable for providing technical support for the implementation of the Health Care Medical Waste Management Plan (HCWMP) and Infection Prevention and Control Plan (IPCP) under the Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) of World Bank Funded projects and other projects requiring such support. This includes technical support and managing (a) establishment and update of HCWMP and IPCP; (b) implementation of the HCWMP and IPCP; (c) regular monitoring and reporting of HCWMP and IPCP compliance; d) HCWMP and IPCP knowledge management and capacity building of project partners, contractors and local suppliers. This encompasses both direct programmes work with Government, civil society partners, contractors as well as coordination with and support to UNICEF teams working on health, nutrition, water and sanitation.

Key Responsibilities

The major tasks and outputs include but are not limited to:

1. Preparation/update of HCWMP and IPCP

• In coordination with safeguards team members, contribute to updating the ESMF with focus on medical waste management risks and requirements, HCWMP and IPCP.
• Plan and formulate any other additional necessary documents, guidance notes, templates, as well as convene internal focus group discussions instrumental towards finalizing/updating the HCWMP and IPCP.
• Ensure the HCWMP and IPCP are aligned with WB ESF, UNICEF’s internal procedures and policies, regulatory frameworks as well as the model UN approach.
• In collaboration with Health stakeholder develop policy for safe and environmentally responsible disposal of obsolete medical equipment.
• Ensure that recommendations of National policy on Waste management and safe disposal of pharmaceutical products are followed by health partners, (mainly Health program implementing partners).

2. Implementation of the HCWMP and IPCP

• Identify challenges, opportunities, priorities and needs for the development and implementation of the HCWMP and IPCP.
• Ensure that focal points for medical waste management are in place at the health facility level with clear terms of reference for their roles and responsibilities
• Provide technical support during project implementation to ensure compliance to the HCWMP and IPCP.
• Develop a roll-out plan, supporting guidance and tools, when applicable to support medical waste management implementation.
• Review bid documents to ensure medical waste management and mitigation measures as well as IPCP measures are incorporated, and in harmony with the environmental safeguards’ requirements.
• Participate and contribute to environmental screening activities as well as review of grievance and redressal mechanisms.
• Conduct field monitoring visits to assess the effectiveness and implementation of the HCWMP and the IPCP at the healthcare facility level.

3. Project Monitoring & Reporting

• Advise on the monitoring criteria for ensuring Health risks mitigation measures are properly and efficiently implemented. Undertake follow up monitoring to ensure that proposed environmental health risks mitigation measures are implemented according to the HCWMP and IPCP.
• Ensure that the relevant implementation monitoring tools are in place and develop follow-up action plans as needed
• Participate in all environmental safeguards’ meetings.
• Provide technical support to the project and result-based monitoring and evaluation.
• Contribute to regular reports on implementation of relevant ESF instruments led by environment and social safeguards specialists.

4. HCWMP and IPCP Knowledge Management, Capacity Building and Training

• Take stock of lessons learned from previous projects, global regional and national best practices, and current UNICEF and WB principles guidelines and procedures to ensure environmental safeguard documents for the project remain up to date and current.
• Capture lessons learned, experiences and case studies from project implementation to inform capacity development training as well as address gaps and refine project procedures.
• Contribute to capacity building activities for UNICEF staff, implementing partners and contractors where applicable through development of guidance, training materials and delivery of face-to-face training
• Closely support and deliver capacity building training to the field teams to close knowledge/skill gaps and minimize the likelihood of risks to happen to sub projects
• Carry out training on integrating healthcare waste management principles in HER.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: An advanced university degree at master’s level or above in Environmental Health, Public Health or Environmental Studies or relevant similar field is required.

Work Experience:

• Eight (8) years technical experience in the design, implementation and preferably monitoring of medical waste and management plans
• Experience working in a similar role as an Environmental Health Specialist will be an advantage
• Good writing and communication skills, including public speaking and presentations is preferred.
• Experience working with UNICEF, or another UN agency is an asset.
• Familiarity with emergency response processes and procedures is an asset.
• Willingness to extensively travel to provinces in Afghanistan

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

[Remove below text if not a child safeguarding elevated risk role]

[If applicable] This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with child, is a safeguarding response role or has been assessed as an elevated risk role for child safeguarding. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert diversity profile] are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.