Job Title: WASH/Health Care Waste Management Specialist
Organisation: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)
Duty Station: Mbarara and Lira, Uganda
Reports to: Senior IHSD Advisor
About US:
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) is an international non-profit human development organization on a mission to create a world where no mother, child, or family is devastated by HIV and AIDS, and we are making an impact. Join us in our fight for an AIDS-free generation!
About USAID Project:
EGPAF is implementing USAID’s Uganda Health Activity (UHA) with the aim of helping to improve overall health system resilience and to increase the survival and well-being of vulnerable populations in USAID Uganda priority districts.
Job Summary: The WASH/Health Care Waste Management Specialist will be responsible for providing Technical Assistance to promote sustainable country/district-tailored WASH/HCWM/IPC systems. S/he will work with the project, MOH, district, and health facilities to identify and implement practical, affordable, and effective means of WASH/HCWM/IPC in accordance with WHO/MOH standards. S/he will oversee the implementation of the Environmental Management and Mitigation Plan (EMMP) under the EGPAF project. The project covers three regions of Kigezi, Ankole, and Lango in covering high volume sites providing MNCH, LAB, HIV prevention, etc
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Healthcare waste collection, storage, transportation, and disposal
- Work with the Hospital Management Teams (HMTs) and District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) to develop and execute Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH)/Healthcare Waste Management (HCWM) plans.
- Coordinate WASH/HCWM activities at health facilities within the region/districts/health facilities.
- Ensuring that there is access to safe and basic WASH services for all Health facilities.
- Provides Technical assistance to health facilities covering 19 Districts in the SW region on the implementation of WASH/HCWM/IPC-related strategies and activities working closely with District Health Management Teams, District Environment Officers, and Health facility Management Teams.
- Design and develop ToRs for WASH/HCWM/IPC required activities.
- Provide Technical guidance on WASH the /HCWM to the Ministry of Health Technical Working Group (TWG).
- Provide technical assistance and support supervision for the functionality of Infection Prevention Control Committees at supported health facilities.
- Support District teams in developing work plans and budgets with a focus on prioritizing WASH/HCWM/IPC activities.
- Provide capacity building through CMEs provisions, mentorship, and training on WASH/HCWM/IPC to targeted District and health facilities healthcare workers.
- Coordinate and supports District WASH focal persons to carry out support supervision, hygiene audits, and self-WASH risk assessment and surveys.
- Participate and represent the project in different stakeholder workshops, conferences, and meetings on the implementation of WASH/HCWM/IPC priorities.
- Provide technical assistance and support supervision on construction, renovation, and maintenance of the existing and new WASH/HCWM infrastructure in accordance with the approved Environmental Monitoring Mitigation Plan (EMMP) in accordance with US environmental procedures 22 CFR 216.
- Integrate QI projects during WASH/HCWM implementation at the health facility level.
- Coordinate Monitoring and Evaluation for WASH/HCWM at National, Regional, District, and health facilities.
- Ensure support for the existing WASH/HCWM structures mechanisms and systems at the region, district, and health facilities.
- Coordinate and manage WASH/HCWM specialists at the regional level.
- Ensure there is ongoing usability, maintenance, and functionality of existing WASH/HCWM infrastructure at health facilities.
- Able to benchmark and leverage existing MoH-planned regional incinerators for healthcare waste final disposal.
- Provide technical assistance on WASH/HCWM/IPC governance and enforcement working closely with District Health Management teams, the District Environment officer, the Ministry of Water and Environment, NWSC, and other stakeholders.
- Take the lead in planning and budgeting for procurement and distribution of WASH/HCWM commodities to supported health facilities.
- Take the lead in conducting periodic WASH risk assessments in response to preparedness and readiness for disease outbreaks at District and Health Facility.
- Coordinate quarterly district and health facility work plans and performance review meetings.
- Coordinate and manage Healthcare waste collection and transportation contracts.
- Provide the lead in promoting the adoption and installation of appropriate WASH/HCWM systems.
- Ensure updates and advice on the project on HCWM changes and practices as per the WHO/MoH and NEMA regulations and guidance.
- Identify and carry out HCWM risk assessment assessments periodically.
- Ensure Infection Prevention and Control measures adhere to during service delivery such as healthcare workers and patient safety at health facilities.
- Investigate and report any incidents and accidents associated with handling HCWM.
- Take the lead in supporting the project in ensuring the SOPs for HCWM are adhered to.
- Take the lead in advising the project on procurement processes for a vendor to support the construction and installation of incinerators and healthcare waste collection and transportation for final disposal activity.
- Coordinate and monitor healthcare waste generation, segregation, storage, transportation, and final disposal at health facilities in the region.
- Able to work closely and collaborate with other IPs in the region on WASH/HCWM aspects
Staff training
- Coordinates with MOH to develop and conduct relevant capacity-building activities that will yield the translation into practice, of the national policy guidelines on HCWM.
Incident Management and Control
- Provides technical assistance to districts and health facilities to ensure that written emergency procedures are available, that they are in place at all times, and that personnel is aware of the action to be taken in the event of an emergency.
- Investigates and review any reported incidents concerning the handling of healthcare waste.
M&E
- Continuously monitors parameters related to WASH/HCWM including;
- Waste generated each month, by waste category in each district.
- Functional incinerators in the region.
- Financial aspects of healthcare waste management:
- Direct costs of supplies and materials used for collection, transport, storage, treatment, disposal, decontamination, and cleaning;
- Training costs.
- Costs of operation and maintenance of on-site treatment facilities (Incinerators, Placenta pits).
- Costs for contractor services.
- Public health aspects:
- Incidents and accidents associated with the handling of healthcare wastes such as needle stick injuries etc have to be investigated and reported accordingly.
- Carry out any other duties reasonably assigned by the Supervisor.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Waste management. Previous work experience with donor-funded programs especially in WASH/HCWM-related fields.
- Five years of relevant experience in WASH/Waste Management for health programs.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal communication.
- Ability to work with MOH, District Environment Officers, City, and Municipal waste management authorities.
- Have an understanding of the USAID project-approved Environmental Monitoring Mitigation Plan (EMMP) in accordance with US environmental procedures 22 CFR 216.
- Training in computer applications is required plus a good working knowledge of computers with the ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including the capacity to prepare and deliver formal presentations on programs and results and have good Trainer Skills.
- Team player with good interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a diverse social and cultural environment.
- Excellent data analysis skills and ability to think concisely, and critically as well as distill information to lay audience.
NB: No hand delivered applications will be accepted.
How to Apply:
All qualified and interested candidates should apply online at the link below.
Deadline: 8th January 2023