ThaiNGO

Job Title: Senior Environmental Health Officer

Location: Mae Sot, Tak

Background/IRC Summary:

Background/IRC Summary: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. The IRC has been operating in Thailand since 1975 and currently provides assistance to displaced persons in Tak, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Mae Hong Son provinces.

Job Overview/Summary:

IRC provides primary health care and environmental health services in several refugee camps in Thailand. IRC and community-based partner organizations provide preventive and curative health care services in the camps, including primary health care, reproductive health, neonatal care and health education. As a critical component of disease prevention the IRC ensures access to safe water improved sanitation and hygiene promotion Environmental health activities include maintenance of water supply infrastructure and chlorination systems, support to the maintenance of household sanitation including latrine desludging and replacement, solid waste disposal services, drainage works, vector control, hygiene promotion, provision of WASH services in health facilities to ensure quality of care.

Under the direct supervision of the Health Coordinator, the Senior Environmental Health (EH) Officer is responsible for implementing and monitoring environmental health related activities / WASH in three Tak refugee camps. The Senior EH Officer will also participate in work planning and monitoring of environmental health programs and assist Health Coordinator in budget adherence, spending and procurement planning. He/she will ensure collection of program data and completion of required reports. The role also has a component of training for water committees and other community partners in consultation with Health Coordinator.

Major Responsibilities:

Program Implementation

• Support senior health staff in EH work plans that set program priorities for temporary shelter residents.
• Carry out assigned program activities in accordance with IRC global and SPHERE standards, UN organizations and WHO as related to water and sanitation (WASH).
• Provide guidance to camp-based teams on construction/maintenance of water supply networks, reservoirs, and chlorination systems, source upgrades, washing areas, latrines and waste management facilities serving refugee households, schools and health facilities in collaboration with Health Coordinator, Water Group and Camp Committee.
• Ensure that residents are consulted on design and location of all WASH facilities to ensure safe access accommodation of needs of women, girls and people with disabilities.
• Collaborate with Operations Team for procurement of material supplies and completing the necessary documentation for transport into the temporary shelters (camps).
• Ensure the sewage treatment unit is operating properly at all times.
• Update the water safety plan and ensure that water quality testing is carried out in accordance with the plan and that remedial actions are taken as needed.

• Assist and support the Health Coordinator as necessary in monitoring EH program budgets and spending plan to ensure expenditures are on track and utilized according to donor requirements and regulations.
• Ensure adequate WASH materials and supplies are maintained at EH warehouses in camps.
• Monitor and support WASH committee activities and training as needed.

• Work closely with the IRC community health team on household and community activities regarding use and maintenance of latrines, waste/wastewater disposal, water supply as well as prevention and control of communicable diseases.
• Ensure that data is collected and updated and required reports are completed in a timely manner.

• Ensure WASH warehouses in camps are managed properly.

• Provide supervision and on-going guidance to the Environmental Health Officers.

Job Requirements:

Education: Degree in Environmental Health or Sanitation, Sanitary or Water Engineering required

Work Experience: Minimum 3 years working experience in water supply, water resource management, sanitation and hygiene promotion. Experience working in a refugee setting preferred.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Experience in WASH services delivery and ability to develop community participation approach.
• Construction and/or pipe networking experience.
• Experience in responding to communicable disease outbreaks investigations and response strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Competent in Windows, MS office programs.

• Professional demeanours.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Language Skills: Fluency in English, Thai, or Burmese language. Karen language a plus. 

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Health Coordinator                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Position directly supervises: Environmental Health (EH) Officer(s)

Indirect Report(s): EH camp-based staff

Working Environment: The position will be based in Mae Sot, with extensive travel to refugee camps.

HOW TO APPLY:

Application letter and most recent CV in English stating qualifications and experience should be submitted to the IRC Human Resources Department at Thailand.HR@rescue.org

All applications will be treated confidentially and not returned. The IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, national origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or physical or mental disability. The IRC is an equal opportunity employer