Health WASH Officer
Health WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) Officers support the WHO Incident Management System (IMS) with technical expertise in planning, monitoring, evaluating, and coordinating environmental health interventions. The focus is on the provision of safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, hygiene and infection control (e.g. safe and dignified burial of infectious bodies, medical waste disposal, etc.). To this end, Health WASH Officers advise and support the development of technical and institutional capacities at both local and national levels. They also assess the national water, sanitation and hygiene situation. They develop and support the implementation of water and sanitation plans, identify needs and negotiate access to logistical facilities. Tasks may include, for example:
- Conducting emergency rapid assessment for WASH;
- Following up and reporting country progress on WASH activities within the health facilities and for health activities in the context of the IMS;
- Providing technical expertise, and when required, onsite support to the health partners on WASH;
- Providing onsite support to ensure applicability and appropriate implementation of the recommended infection control activities in the health facilities and for the health activities supported by the WHO;
- Ensuring that WASH, vector control and infection control set up in the health facilities and for health activities are conducted and set according to Sphere and WHO Standards;
- Securing water, hygiene, sanitation and infection control for health activities within the WASH cluster, providing implementation guidance;
- Conducting required training for Ministry of Health staff and WHO partners to build up local competencies and facilitate compliance with the WASH standards for all health activities.
Specific profile requirements for Health WASH Officers
- University degree in engineering, health, humanitarian logistics or another related field, with a specialization in water, sanitation and hygiene.
- Training in computer applications in water and sanitation project design and related database systems;
- At least five years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in the design and implementation of water and sanitation assessment and/or the design and management of related projects in emergencies. Experience in developing and promoting collaborative actions with national authorities;
- Excellent analytical and organisational skills, with proven ability to elaborate and implement projects;
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to promote cohesive actions and convince officials with tact and diplomacy;
- Knowledge of WHO, the UN System or NGO work in the field of response relief and/or of their practices and procedures as related to the work.