Senior Deputy Environmental Health Officer (Field Operations)

Federal Government of Somalia Department of Health Vacancy Announcement

Vacancy Ref No: FGS/MoHDPS/DoH/00355/8/2013 Functional Title: Senior Deputy Environmental Health Officer (Field Operations) Position Level: A-4 Type of Contract: Permanent Appointment Duty Station: Mogadishu with extensive field travel within Somalia Duration: Initially one Year Reporting to: Chief of Environmental Health Unit, Department of Health, Mogadishu Start Date: October 2013 Closing Date: 31 August, 2013

Purpose of the Position

Technical capacity limitations in the government at all levels (national and subnational) are hampering the smooth implementation of delivering services and sustaining investment in Somalia. Hence the need for additional dedicated technical assistance to oversee the project coordination with, implementation project partners, the government at national and subnational levels, private sector and other civil society groups as and when appropriate.

Under the administrative supervision of the Director General of Medical Services and the technical supervision of the Chief of Environmental Health of the Department of Health, the Senior Deputy Environmental Health Officer (Field Operations) will ensure compliance with environmental and public health laws, have a comprehensive understanding of environmental and public health objectives, policies, procedures, and administrative processes required to develop, organize, coordinate, maintain, support, inspect, and enforce environmental projects or programs.

Functionally the Senior Deputy Environmental Health Officer (Field Operations) will report to the Chief of Environmental Health Officer. S/he will be expected to serves as the primary staff liaison for technical issues, training, and consultation concerning environmental health programs. S/he will work in collaboration with other WASH, Health and Nutrition sector partners and Regional Authorities.

Main duties and responsibilities: The roles and responsibilities of the Senior Deputy Environmental Health Officer will include but not limited to: • Represent the Department of Health (DoH) in drafting and promoting environmental health rules and program policy, analyzing the effects of environmental legislation, coordinating programs among special interest groups, and public relations. • Undertake program management responsibility for all phases of major environmental programs or projects, have decision-making authority which requires a wide variety of program/project responsibilities such as: development of program plans, program evaluation, regional staff work assignments, performance evaluations, policy communication, negotiation and contract compliance.
• Supports and coordinates analytical activities by collecting, analyzing and testing: water, soil, air, and other material samples to determine pollution or contamination during inspections, surveys, and investigations of; water supplies, solid waste and sewage disposal systems, land development and recreation sites, and respond to public health emergencies. • Promotes public awareness and responds to requests for technical assistance regarding the interpretation or implementation of public health and environmental laws, rules, and standards through consultation, education and technical assistance. • Preparation and presentation of: a. reports to the Chief Environmental Health Officer on relevant issues; b. materials for publication, e.g. guidance and advice note on environmental health matters • Provides technical support to non-governmental organizations at the regional levels in the planning, development, implementation and monitoring of sub-sector activities. • Support efforts to use effective and sustainable approaches such as household and community led initiative, marketing for behavior change education programs.

Scope of Work

• To independently provide leadership for the planning, organizing, coordinating, inspecting, and evaluating environmental health program(s) undertaken by and on behalf of the DoH. • Ensures compliance with environmental health laws, and provides technical expertise, training, and consultation to staff; performs related work.
• Perform basic environmental health inspections and evaluations in accordance with the aspirations of Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) and other applicable local, regional or federal regulations. • Provide guidance, coaching and mentorship to the district and regional public health officers in both programming and leaderships; to ensure smooth collaboration and coordination of different components of environmental health. • Work closely with the Ministry of National Resource appointed counterpart and other relevant units of the DoH to establish the necessary structures and systems for effective operation of the environmental health unit.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Advance degree in public health, environmental health or other areas closely related to sanitation and hygiene • Proven experience as a project coordinator with at least 5 years of hands-on experience in supporting the design and implementation of environmental health/sanitation and hygiene promotion programmes • Experience in devising and / or implementing work procedures • Ability to successfully manage budgets, including monitoring and reporting • Understanding of current and future frameworks for partnership working and funding and their implications

Competencies of Successful Candidate:

• Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking. • Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals. • Good leadership and programme management skills. • Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives. • Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across the health department. • Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team and department-wide activities. • Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization. • Solid technical background, analytical, planning and facilitation skills • Strong writing and reporting skills • Ability to work in a team and with minimum supervision. • Knowledge of Somali language is desirable.

Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated CV and copies of academic certificates to the email below. Please quote the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line in your application.

Closing date for applications is 31st August 2013

Email to: m_adow@hotmail.com

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted Open to only Somali Nationals

QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

How to apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated CV and copies of academic certificates to the email below. Please quote the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line in your application.

Closing date for applications is 31st August 2013

Email to: m_adow@hotmail.com

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted Open to only Somali Nationals

QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY