Environmental Specialist Grade: P5

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To strengthen national capabilities in Pacific countries for the improvement of environmental health; to respond to the expressed needs of the countries and communities and to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with environmental health hazards; and to increase the population's access to improved environmental health services through the appropriate and efficient use of resources.
Description of duties: Under the guidance of the WHO Representative/Director, Pacific Technical Support, to serve as the division's environmental health specialist. An approximate breakdown of the assigned responsibilities are as follows: (1) Collaborate with the ministries and departments of health of the countries and areas in the Pacific in the planning, implementation and evaluation of projects in programme areas, including climate change and health, community water supply and sanitation, environmental health impact assessment, chemical safety, waste management including health care waste, food safety and healthy settings initiatives, in collaboration with the appropriate regional and national partners and officials. -- provide advisory services on all technical aspects of environmental health with particular emphasis on appropriate technology as required -- develop and implement environmental improvement programmes -- develop disaster risk reduction/management strategies and respond to emergency requests -- develop and promote innovative approaches to environmental health problems -- prepare manuals, guidelines, and technical papers as required -- draft legislation/regulations for the sector as required -- liaise with governments, bilateral and international agencies including Council of Regional Organizations in the Pacific (CROP) partners on a routine basis. (2) Promote, organize and implement human resources development activities including intercountry/country training on technical and social aspects of environmental health -- maintain contact with country officials to identify needs -- provide technical input to develop training capabilities in different countries collaborating with training institutes -- plan and support/conduct workshops, seminars, training courses to introduce improved techniques/approaches, and train personnel in operation and maintenance. (3) Identify the need for applied studies on social, technical and economic aspects of environmental health; and promote and facilitate such studies. (4) Identify priority projects and formulate project proposals and cost estimates for external financing. (5) Collect, analyse, and disseminate information including project preparation on all aspects of environmental health, including institutional and human resources development, appropriate technology, hygiene education, community involvement with special attention to gender issues, the increasing threat of climate change to human health, and the need for disaster risk management/reduction approaches in the Pacific. (6) Undertake continuous review and monitoring of environmental health situation in the countries; collect, review and verify the data/information on environmental health service coverage/issues and prepare status reports and sector profiles. (7) Collaborate with relevant national officials, and other UN, multilateral, bilateral and CROP agencies, and NGOs to improve the effectiveness of resources utilization. (8) Prepare periodic/routine reports on work and activities as required. (9) Perform/assume other duties/tasks as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Postgraduate degree in sanitary/civil/environmental engineering from an institution of recognized standing is essential. Additional education/training in public health would be an advantage.
Skills: Broad knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques in environmental health, environmental engineering and science with emphasis on skills in project management and training of national staff in limited resource environments. Programme development, planning, implementation, and management skills including proposal development. Negotiation and representational skills which allow development of common understanding of complex and often controversial issues. Proficiency in standard MS Office software applications. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct. Competencies: 1. Communicating in a credible and effective way 2. Producing results 3. Moving forward in a changing environment 4. Fostering integration and teamwork 5. Promoting WHO's position in health leadership
Experience: Minimum of ten years of experience involving planning, implementing, administering and research/training in water supply, sanitation and environmental health at national level with adequate experience at international level is essential. Working experience in developing countries is highly desirable.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD80 629 at single rate USD86 791 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 44.4% % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.