Environmental Health Unit Coordinator

This post has only been published in English as it requires a very good knowledge of  English.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 70 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation. 

Environmental Health Unit Coordinator (m/f/x) – Brussels – MSF Belgium

CONTEXT 

Médecins Sans Frontières Belgium is recruiting for the Environmental Health (EH) Unit. The EH Unit is part of the Medical Department.

Within MSF Operational Center Brussels (OCB), the Medical Department provides strategic direction and technical leadership, committing to keeping up to date on innovations in health care. We share the responsibility of the operational choices and the responsiveness, and we are involved in the support of our project teams co-developing context-adapted medical-operational strategies and defining levels of care. The department also does normative work (e.g., developing guidelines, tools), supporting their translation (e.g., trainings, quality improvement, information knowledge management), and enabling operational research and innovative ideas.

Composed of multiple specialists based across a network of units across the world, the Medical Department works in close collaboration with operations, other OCB departments, other OCs, and the MSF movement. 

The EH-Unit is based in the Medical Department but operates with a trans-departmental logic whereby unit members maintain a close link to other relevant departments to ensure a close collaboration. The EH-Unit is composed of:

• Four operational advisors linked to the Operational Department with emergency and regional program support responsibilities 
• One HR & Training focal point linked to the HR Department with HR support responsibilities
• One mobile medical entomologist in support of the Vector Control activities
• One hydrogeological specialist in support of Groundwater-related activities 
• One innovation and support focal point providing support and centralizing innovation of EH technologies
• One specialist on Water and Sanitation facilities shared with the Logistics Support Unit (Logistics Department)
• An EH unit coordinator to assure adequate coherence and coordination

The Environmental Health objectives of MSF as defined today are: 

• To support and promote good hygienic environments in medical infrastructures
• To define and support the implementation of EH strategies of immediate response in emergencies (outbreaks and displaced populations)
• To promote and organize the preventive health aspects linked with water, hygiene, and sanitation of MSF programs in emergencies and in longer-term programs
• To contribute to MSF engagements on Climate, Environment & Health linked to operational adaptation and footprint reduction

The concretization of these EH objectives in transversal operational activities in the field requires an active and close collaboration with colleagues of the operational, logistical, and medical department. The definition and elaboration of appropriate strategies are based on medical needs.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define the unit’s strategic vision in collaboration with the medical director, the unit, and the main stakeholders
• Develop long term objectives and priorities for the EH Unit 
• Direct the activities of the unit towards fulfillment of the EH objectives
• Develop a Human Resource pool of EH personnel with the HR Department 
• Develop and harmonize the interdepartmental links with support from the medical director
• Coordinate the unit, the division of tasks and activities among the members of the unit considering the role and the workload of each, and maintain cohesion in a solution-oriented manner
• Be available for emergency interventions in EH coordinating role or other for outbreaks and/or large emergencies, field visits and in the back-up role as operational advisor depending on the unit needs
• Perform the operational advisor role for a limited number of countries 
• Oversee and guide EH-related operational research, capitalizations and activity reporting
• Be involved in the medical department management team that is composed of other unit coordinators, director and deputy directors
• Assure networking and collaboration with other MSF sections and international partners

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• A University degree
• Degrees in the field of Environmental Health, Engineering, Water Resources Management or equivalent an/or a degree in Public Health are a strong asset
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in EH interventions in the field of Humanitarian Assistance
• MSF experience 
• Experience in EH in Emergency interventions (including outbreak investigation and response)
• Experience and/or good understanding of EH in long-term interventions and strategies link in Health programs
• Minimum 2 years of experience in team management

Competencies

• Strategic vision
• Strong skills in information analysis and reporting
• Strong people management and leadership skills (able to set priorities, make decisions and assume responsibility)
• Good communication skills (oral and written)
• Good teamwork and cooperation capacity
• Lively spirit and willingness to move and travel frequently

Languages

• Good oral and written communication in English and French 
• Knowledge of Spanish, Arabic, or Portuguese is an asset

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date:  ASAP
• Location: Brussels (Belgium)
• Mobility (20% of yearly visits)
• Contract type: Open ended contract - Full-time 
• Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ grid
• Meal Vouchers - Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs
• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

Deadline for applications: 1st of October 2024 

How to apply?

Please, send your CV and cover letter to Recruit-HQ-Med@brussels.msf.org and mention “EH Unit Coordinator” in the subject of your email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

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