Summary
Date Posted: Friday, December 23, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Overview:
• URC is seeking an experienced WASH/Health Care Waste Management Officer for Acholi (Gulu), Bugisu (Mbale), Busoga (Jinja) and Karamoja (Moroto) for the USAID Uganda Health Activity (UHA), a five-year program. The purpose of UHA is to support the Government of Uganda’s (GOU’s) efforts to increase the survival and well-being of vulnerable populations and improve overall health system resilience in seven priority regions. The program will strengthen the quality and availability of MNCH, FP/RH, nutrition, and facility-level WASH services as well as health systems at the regional-, district-, facility-, and community-levels.

Responsibilities:
• The WASH/Health Care Waste Management Officer is responsible for aiding and promoting sustainable district-tailored WASH/HCWM/IPC systems. They will work with the project, district, and health facilities to identify and implement practical, affordable, and effective means of WASH/HCWM/IPC in accordance with WHO/MOH standards. They will oversee the implementation of the Environmental Management and Mitigation Plan (EMMP) under UHA.

Specific responsibilities include the following:
• 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.
• Ensuring that there is access to safe and basic WASH services for all Health facilities.
• Assist health facilities under the UHA scope on implementation of WASH/HCWM 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 required activities.
• Supportive 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 of prioritizing WASH/HCWM activities.
• Provide capacity building through CME, mentorship, and trainings on WASH/HCWM to targeted District and health facilities healthcare workers.
• Coordinate and support district WASH focal persons to carry out supportive supervision, hygiene audits, and self-WASH risk assessment and surveys.
• Participate and represent the project in different stakeholder workshops, conferences, and meetings on WASH/HCWM implementation priorities.
• Provide assistance and supportive supervision on construction, renovation, and maintenance of the existing and new WASH/HCWM infrastructure in line with the approved Environmental Monitoring Mitigation Plan (EMMP) and 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 to the existing WASH/HCWM structures mechanisms and systems at region, district, and health facilities.
• Ensure there is ongoing usability, maintenance, and functionality of existing WASH/HCWM infrastructure at health facilities.
• Benchmark and leverage on existing MoH planned regional incinerators for healthcare waste final disposal.
• Provide assistance on WASH/HCWM governance and enforcement working closely with District Health Management Teams, District Environment Officer, Ministry of Water and Environment, NWSC and other stakeholders.
• Take lead in planning and budgeting for procurement and distribution of WASH/HCWM commodities to supported health facilities.
• Take lead in conducting periodic WASH risk assessments to prepare for and respond to disease outbreaks at District and Health Facility levels.
• Coordinate quarterly district and health facility work plans and performance review meetings.
• Coordinate and manage Healthcare waste collection and transportation contract.
• Lead promoting the adoption and installation of appropriate WASH/HCWM systems.
• Ensure to update and advise 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 are adhered to during service delivery such as healthcare workers and patient safety at health facilities.
• Take a lead in conducting Clean Clinic Assessments.
• Investigate and report any incidents and accidents associated with handling HCWM.
• Take lead in supporting the project in ensuring the SOPs for HCWM are adhered to.
• 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 responsibilities
• 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 responsibilities
• Provides 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 are aware of the action to be taken in the event of an emergency.
• Support during the investigation process and review of any reported incidents concerning the handling of healthcare waste.

M&E responsibilities
• Continuously monitor parameters related to WASH/HCWM including waste generated each month, by waste category in each district, functional incinerators in the region and 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:
• Incident and accidents associated with handling of healthcare wastes such as needle stick injuries etc. have to be investigated and reported accordingly.

Qualifications:
Required Experience and Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational health safety and Environment Management or other relevant environmental health/engineering science field. Previous work experience with donor-funded programs more especially in WASH/HCWM related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in Implementing WASH/Health Care Waste Management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal communications.
• Ability to work with MOH, District Environment Officers, City and Municipal waste management authorities.
• Have understanding of the project’s approved Environmental Monitoring Mitigation Plan (EMMP) in accordance with US environmental procedures 22 CFR 216.
• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team.
• Ability to lead effective training.
• Very good knowledge of spoken and written English.
• Proficient in spreadsheet and word processing and other software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Desired Experience and Qualifications
• Previous experience working with URC and USAID is an added advantage.

This job is open to candidates legally authorized to work in Uganda. No allowances have been budgeted for this position.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Unless otherwise directed we will retain your CV in our database for future opportunities.
URC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
We value and seek diversity in our workforce

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
• Interested and qualified? Click here to apply

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