Senior Technical Advisor, Environmental Health

BACKGROUND:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the largest humanitarian agencies in the world, providing relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of oppression and violent conflict. IRC has worked for over seven decades and today is involved in over 25 conflict zones in the world. We address both the immediate, life saving needs of conflict affected people in an emergency and the reconstruction needs in post conflict societies, focusing on strengthening institutions and promoting social cohesion. IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and thorough accountability to those we serve. The IRC is an international agency with offices in London, New York, and Geneva. The London and New York offices provide technical support to field programs.

As part of the IRC’s International Programs Department, the IRC’s Health Unit:

provides technical oversight of primary health care, environmental health (EH), reproductive health, child survival and gender based violence programs;
promotes the quality, effectiveness and sustainability of IRC’s health programs worldwide;
facilitates the professional development of health program staff and
contributes to the improvement of humanitarian practice globally.

SCOPE OF WORK:
The Headquarters EH team consists of a Senior Technical Advisor (STA) for EH, two Regional Technical Advisors and one Program Manager. The team ensures quality programming related to water supply, sanitation, hygiene promotion and vector control. The STA leads the EH team toward holistic, evidenced-based, participatory environmental health programming. The STA also provides guidance to the Director of the Emergency Response and Preparedness Unit (EPRU) concerning the deployment of EH staff assigned to the Emergency Response Team (ERT).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
-Develop, articulate and promote the IRC strategy in environmental health
-Provide leadership and supervision of the EH Team and its members.
-Ensure that environmental health is consistently integrated into IRC primary health care programs
-Provide technical assistance to IRC field programs and the ERT on environmental health issues.
-Coordinate and conduct annual field trips to IRC programs for the purposes of program evaluation and technical support.
-Assist in the design and development of environmental health programs.
-Participate in the recruitment of EH field staff.
-Promote staff development via field training, workshops, exchange programs and coaching.
-Coordinate and conduct an annual EH Coordinators’ conference.
-Coordinate the continued development of the IRC EH Field Guide.
-Act as the EH focal point for the various departments at IRC Headquarters.
-Act as the main representative of IRC to relevant agencies on environmental health issues.
-Maintain a library of relevant resource materials on environmental health issues at IRC headquarters. Make recommendations on resource materials to field teams.
-Provide guidance to the EPRU Director concerning deployment of ERT EH staff.
-Participate in emergency response activities, if required.
-Participate in limited research, teaching and academic activities.

REQUIREMENTS:
-University degree in engineering, hydrology, geology or environmental health.
-In-depth practical knowledge of water supply, sanitation, vector control and hygiene promotion.
-Strong background in public health, with MPH preferred.
-Three years experience in implementing EH programs in relief settings.
-Strong assessment, management, project planning, organizational and interpersonal skills.
-Excellent communication skills and flexibility.
-Proven ability to work in a team environment and independently.
-Proven writing and editing skills.
-Excellent Computer skills: MS Word, Excel, AutoCAD and GIS.
-English fluency essential.

Contact Email:

Contact Person:

Link to organization's application form: http://www.ircjobs.org

Other Information:

Please Apply Online at: www.ircjobs.org