Environmental health advisor

Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Scope of work

The Environmental Health Advisor will be responsible for leading the development of IRC Pakistan Environmental Health (EH) sector strategy and EH sub sector strategies. The Environmental Health sector strategy shall be a key reference document covering a clear EH strategy to be used for communicating IRC Pakistan’s EH priorities, objectives and strategic approaches within Pakistan.

This document shall form the basis of an advocacy tool for informing donor funding priorities, and shall cover a clear strategy and tools for responding to funding opportunities. In addition, the document shall have a clear strategy that formalizes the linkages between EH and other IRC Pakistan programming sectors in particular Health, Education, Protection and Livelihoods.

The EH sub sector strategies include excreta disposal, water supply, water quality, hygiene promotion, and creation and support to the EH ‘enabling environment’. Sub-sector strategies should incorporate strategies for appropriate technology selection, operation, maintenance, cost recovery, community involvement and linkages to local authorities. The strategies shall also include EH intersectoral linkages, EH cross – cutting themes and partnerships. The Environmental Health Advisor reports to Senior EH Coordinator, and this position is a short term employment.

Responsibilities

- Work closely with Director of Programs, Deputy Director Program Design & Quality, Senior EH Coordinator, Senior Program Coordinators (SPCs) and EH Coordinators in development of EH sector strategy
- Undertake detail review of internal and external EH environment in Pakistan with a focus on conflict affected IDPs, flood affected and vulnerable communities in line with IRC Pakistan Country Program strategic plan
- Undertake analysis of EH cross cutting themes including mainstreaming of preparedness and disaster risk reduction in coordination with relevant sector coordinators
- Develop a clear strategy that formalizes the linkages between EH and other IRC Pakistan programming sectors in particular Health, Education, and Protection
- Use different methodologies including workshops, desk reviews, field visits, primary data collection (quantitative & qualitative), key informant interview etc in collecting relevant information and data required for the development of the EH sector strategy.

2. EH Sub-Sector Strategy Development

- Work closely with Senior EH Coordinator, EH Coordinators, and other relevant team members in development of EH sub sector strategies: excreta disposal, water supply, water quality, hygiene promotion, and creation and support to the EH ‘enabling environment’.
- Incorporate strategies for appropriate technology selection, operation, maintenance, cost recovery, community involvement and linkages to local authorities in the EH sub sector strategies.
- Use different methodologies including workshops, desk reviews, field visits, primary data collection (quantitative & qualitative), key informant interview etc in collecting relevant information and data required for the development of the EH sub sector strategies.

Requirements

- Masters level qualification in Civil Engineering or Environmental Sciences
- 5 to 7 years of experience in leading/managing water, sanitation and hygiene promotion programs with NGOs and INGOs
- Previous experience of EH sector and sub sector strategy development
- Ability to live and work in stressful and insecure environment
- Able to work under pressure and good at timely decision making
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Competent in Microsoft Office and emailing
- Knowledge and/or experience in conflict management, protection, or other related field
- Excellent understanding of EH issues in emergency and recovery contexts
- Strong facilitation skills