Organization: WHO – World Health Organization
Location: Juba
Grade: Level not specified – Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
Public Health and Health Service
Environment
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
Closing Date: 2024-05-05
1.Background and Justification
Purpose of the Position
The Technical Officer Water, Sanitation, and Health (WASH) Officer P3 position at WHO South Sudan is designed to support the organization’s public health initiatives by developing, implementing, and managing water, sanitation, and hygiene programs across the region. This role involves assessing WASH needs, coordinating with local and international partners, ensuring the integration of WASH services with other public health efforts, and contributing to policy development and strategic planning. The officer will also play a crucial role in capacity building, providing technical support and training to local staff and partners to enhance WASH practices, thereby aiming to improve overall public health outcomes and reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases in South Sudan.
2.Job Description
Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective
The WHO Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Programme in South Sudan aims to enhance the capacity of the health system to effectively prepare for, detect, and respond to health emergencies. Key objectives include improving surveillance and early warning systems, strengthening health infrastructure, enhancing coordination among health stakeholders, building local capacities, and promoting community engagement in emergency response efforts. The immediate strategic objective of the EPR Programme focuses on reducing health-related mortality and morbidity by ensuring rapid, coordinated, and effective response activities during emergencies. This involves not only immediate relief and disease prevention efforts but also a strategic enhancement of the overall emergency response mechanisms to establish a more proactive and resilient health response system.
3.Organizational context
Under the supervision of the Team Lead, the guidance of the EPR Team Lead, and the WHO Head of Country Office, and in collaboration with counterparts at the regional office, HQ, other WHO staff, and partners, the incumbent serves as a specialist in assessing the national water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) situation. This role requires maintaining continuous communication with a wide range of WHO personnel and responders, as well as various officials from the Ministry of Health (MOH). The incumbent provides expert advice on prioritized actions and plays a key role in the design and implementation of water and sanitation action plans within the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) framework. This includes identifying needs, resources, and gaps, and negotiating access to common logistics facilities at the country level.
4.Summary of Assigned Duties:
The following terms outline the responsibilities and expected contributions of the Technical Officer in advancing WHO’s mission to improve water, sanitation, and health standards in South Sudan, ensuring that programs are effective, sustainable, and aligned with both national needs and international health objectives.
·Assessment and Monitoring:
oConduct regular assessments of the water, sanitation, and hygiene needs throughout South Sudan.
oMonitor ongoing WASH projects and initiatives to ensure they meet WHO standards and local needs.
·Program Development and Implementation:
oDevelop and implement comprehensive WASH programs and strategies in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners.
oDesign action plans that effectively address identified needs, resource gaps, and logistical challenges in the delivery of WASH services.
·Capacity Building:
oProvide technical training and support to local health workers and partners in WASH practices.
oEnhance the capabilities of local communities and health workers to manage and sustain WASH initiatives.
·Policy and Advice:
oOffer expert advice and guidance to the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders on best practices and innovations in WASH.
oContribute to the development of national policies and guidelines related to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
·Coordination and Collaboration:
oCollaborate closely with WHO regional offices, headquarters, and other stakeholders to align WASH initiatives with global health standards and practices.
oEnsure effective coordination among various health actors and stakeholders involved in WASH projects.
·Emergency Preparedness and Response:
oIntegrate WASH services with emergency preparedness and response activities to ensure rapid deployment during health crises.
oParticipate in emergency response teams and provide WASH expertise in outbreak situations.
·Reporting and Documentation:
oPrepare detailed reports on the status of WASH initiatives, outcomes, and challenges for WHO management and external donors.
oDocument lessons learned and best practices for future reference and improvement of WASH services.
·Advocacy and Representation:
oRepresent WHO at national and international forums related to WASH.
oAdvocate for increased awareness, funding, and support for WASH programs from stakeholders and donors.
5.Recruitment Profile
Competencies:
·Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
·Ensuring the effective use of resources.
·Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.
·Communication.
·Teamwork.
Functional Knowledge and Skills
·Possesses deep understanding of water, sanitation, and hygiene practices and standards.
·Experienced in the technical and logistical aspects of implementing WASH programs in resource-limited settings.
·Demonstrated ability to plan, manage, and execute complex WASH projects effectively.
·Skilled in managing budgets, timelines, and resources for optimal project outcomes.
·Capable of designing and leading training programs for local health workers and community leaders, focusing on sustainable WASH practices.
·Strong analytical abilities to assess needs and program effectiveness, with a talent for developing innovative solutions to WASH challenges.
·Experienced in working with government entities, NGOs, and international organizations, with a proven ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders.
·Knowledgeable in integrating WASH services with health emergency response mechanisms.
·Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences and robust advocacy skills to promote WASH initiatives and secure support.
·Understands and respects the cultural and political context of South Sudan, with flexibility to adapt strategies in challenging environments.
Education Qualifications
Required
Master’s degree in Environmental Health, Public Health, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field relevant to WASH
Desirable
Degree or training in public health, water, sanitation, and hygiene, computer applications in water and sanitation project design, and related database systems.
Experience
Essential
At least five (5) 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.
Desirable
Some experience or a sound knowledge of WHO mandate and goals or in UN organizations/agencies, international institutions, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or NGOs.
Use of Language Skills
Excellent knowledge of English. Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset.
Other Skills (e.g. IT)
Good computer skills in Microsoft Office.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional Information (For HR use only):
· This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
– Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
– A written test may be used as a form of screening.
– If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/
diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an
institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International
Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can
be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will
require individual review.
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regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural,
ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with
disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversityequity-
and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process.
Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
· An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that
adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://
www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
– WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other types of abusive
conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to
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as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such
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