Senior Infection Prevention and Control / WASH Officer

International Rescue Committee

Syria Country Program

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Infection Prevention and Control / WASH Officer

Department: Program / Health

Location: Raqqa

Employment Type: Full time

Background/IRC Summary:

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a prominent international organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression.

Working in coordination with the humanitarian community, the IRC currently addresses the needs of war-affected populations from several operational bases across NES. Our activities focus primarily on the supply of vital medications and medical equipment, non-food items, water and sanitation and women and children’s protection, and form part of an over-arching humanitarian response in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, and the region that seeks to assist refugees, IDPs and war-affected people survive conflict and displacement.

Staff safety is an absolute priority and strict adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures will be undertaken to protect staff and patients. Given the serious nature of the work, personal protective equipment must be always worn while in Triage and isolation units with strict adherence to IPC protocols and response to WASH needs, projects that emerge in response to urgent IPC/WASH needs in the IRC working areas.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Sr. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) / WASH Officer under a close supervision from Environmental Health Manager will hold the overall responsibility for Environmental Health (EH) and IPC activities for the assigned Health Facilities in Northeast Syria. These include risk assessment of existing structures and protocols, and proposed activities, support the development and implementation of RCCE plans, supervise adaptation of existing structures and protocols to include communicable diseases related IPC, trainings of health care workers on IPC.

They will work closely with the Environmental Health Manager and IPC/WASH assistants to ensure triage areas and isolation facility and all program services meet IRC IPC protocols. The Environmental Health manager and health senior manager and Health Coordinator will be available to provide any technical guidance and support when needed. This position will ensure IPC standard precautions include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, prevention of accidental exposure to body fluids, safe and appropriate treatment of re-usable medical devices, waste management, cleaning and disinfection of surface and environment, respiratory hygiene and individual hygiene for staff, caretakers, and patients.

WASH essential requirements include water supply, solid waste and wastewater treatment/disposal, latrines and shower facilities, dead body management, vector control and medical waste management.

They will work closely with the Environmental Health Manager to ensure that all distribution of NFI kits will go on as required, and all beneficiaries are served in a good manner.

Responsibilities:

Implement rapid IPC infrastructural and operational analysis of isolation and treatment centers and designated health facilities in line with IRCs Standard Operating Procedures for Health facilities,
Propose and support implementation of necessary adaptations leading to compliance in line with the national standards.
Build capacity of front-line health care workers in IPC and WASH through daily mentoring.
Strengthen overall IPC competencies at health facilities and partner organizations through training of practitioners and support staff in IPC and Health Care Waste Management and assessing isolation units’ readiness.
In consultation with the Community health officers and Community Engagement pillar, develop timely messages on IPC to be disseminated to the community.
Involve and enhance IPC/WASH and social change behavior visions in RCCE and CH activities at the community level.
Actively participate in the IPC committees and take leading role to better respond to the outbreak.
Conduct IPC infrastructure assessment in newly developed identified isolation and treatment centers and existing health facilities as assigned.
Ensure all programs meet standards; making recommendations on upgrading facilities and procedures as needed.
Submission of weekly activity plans and end of week update reports and monthly data to the manager.
Build strong relationships with sector staff and ensure healthy working relationships are demonstrated between staff.
define the needs of the community regarding the WASH sector.
Supervise the distribution activities and ensure that all targets of the distribution are met.
Perform any task provided by EH manager.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have an environmental health background and experience in Implementing water and sanitation for health facilities such as cholera treatment centers and disease-specific treatment units. “Highly desired criteria” include previous work in WASH at health facilities level and knowledge of infection control and prevention.

Minimum university degree in General engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water engineering, public health, Environmental health, medical nursing or another related field.
Approximately 3-6 years’ experience working in WASH projects, WASH in Health Facilities, Health programming or, field epidemiology within emergency settings.
Desirable: expertise in infection prevention and control, within healthcare settings or in the context of outbreaks.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of IPC and Healthcare Waste Management
Experience working in a community-based setting. One year of relevant work experience would be an added advantage.
Demonstrated management skills are a key asset.
Understand community service – community connectedness.
Knowledge of community hygiene promotion approaches and messages.
Experience in distribution of NFI with international NGO is a key asset.

Excellent initiator and able to manage multiple tasks.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values, and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development.
Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
A validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior-level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop and a sense of humor is a must.
Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths the teams in Syria.
Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.

Language/Travel:

Local language(s): Arabic/Kurdish required.
Good command of English is required.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Environmental Health (EH) Manager.

directly supervises: IPC/WASH Assistants.

Indirect Reporting (If applicable): None.
Key Internal Contacts: Health officers, Community Health Workers Officers

Key External Contacts: local community leaders.

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing, and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work. IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation

How to apply:

Go to the below link and fill out the spaces with needed information and then submit your application. Make sure you attach supported document (PDF-Word).

https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/45851?c=rescue

Advertisement Closing Date:

14^th October 2023

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