Advisor, Water and Sanitation – World Health Organization
Description Of Duties
Under the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative, and the technical guidance of the Director, Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis (CHA), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:
- Provide technical cooperation to the Ministry of Health and other national health authorities to ensure access to safe water and sanitation facilities by the population; propose, monitor and evaluate technologies and strategies for their effective implementation;
- Provide technical cooperation in the design and implementation of Water Safety Plans (WSPs) and Sanitation Safety Plans (SSPs), as well as relevant monitoring and evaluation of initiatives;
- Cooperate with government agencies in the development, improvement and promotion of Water Quality Surveillance Systems, fostering the linkages between water quality data and epidemiological data;
- Advise and collaborate in the planning, development and monitoring of plans, programs and projects related to water supply and sanitation: master plans of water and sewage systems, risks assessments, contingency plans for droughts and flooding, prevention measures for neglected tropical diseases (malaria, LF, dengue), by promoting health and hygiene promotion strategies, programs, plans and activities;
- Advise and coordinate wash-related response to waterborne disease outbreaks and natural disasters, in collaboration with health response to emergencies;
- Provide technical advice, follow-up and support to activities related to social and environmental determinants of health, including the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the conclusions of the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health, and PAHO Commission on Equity and Health Inequalities in the Americas;
- Provide technical cooperation in the planning, development and monitoring of health promotion programs and projects for healthy settings, including healthy cities, applying health promotion and local development strategies, concepts and techniques;
- Provide technical cooperation for the strengthening of national institutions involved in sustainable development and social and environmental health; advise and collaborate in evaluating and solving environmental and consumer protection issues due to urbanization, industrialization and agricultural activities; guide the formulation of relevant policies, plans and programs; develop and maintain the coordination of technical cooperation with national and international agencies;
- Support the development of tools and methodologies to help promote health in all policies and mainstreaming of sustainable development in health throughout governmental institutions; support the development and functioning of networks of institutions, organizations and individuals in the area of health promotion and prevention;
- Support the establishment of programs related to the regulation and control of toxic substances and hazardous waste that present risks to health and the environment, including those produced in hospitals and other health facilities, with a special focus on air pollution;
- Advise, promote, and coordinate worker’s health programs with public and private organizations to determine occupational risk, and foster the extension of occupational health services to un-served populations;
- Advise and collaborate in the establishment of programs related to the regulation and control of toxic substances and hazardous wastes that present risks to health and the environment, including those produced in hospitals and other health care centers;
- Systematize, document and disseminate the successful experiences, preferably those at the local level, implemented for the development and continuous improvement of the services of promotion and prevention of environmental diseases.
- Promote knowledge management activities in the areas of responsibility, using all the available means for the dissemination of relevant evidence-based and scientific information.
- Promote inter-programmatic and decentralized work at the different levels of the Organization in order to achieve the maximum of efficiency and effectiveness;
- Mobilize national and international resources to support the implementation of programs under areas of responsibility; represent the Organization in technical meetings, seminars, congresses and academic events in the area of sustainable development and environmental health.
- Promote and advise national authorities on the evaluation and solution of environmental pollution problems due to urbanization, industrialization and agricultural activities with special attention to biological and chemical pollution, as well as in the formulation of plans and programs for their prevention and control;
- Collaborate in the preparation of the Representation’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of international cooperation, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic realities.
- When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities.
- Perform other related duties, as assigned.
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