National Professional Officer (Env. Health & Climate Change)

The National Professional Officer will support the Pacific Climate Change and Environment unit to enhance climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems in Fiji and Pacific Island Countries. The role involves research, policy development, capacity building, and technical support on environmental health and climate change related health risks.

Responsibilities

• Provide input to the work program in the area of Climate Change, Environment, and Health in Fiji and Pacific Island Countries, emphasizing environmental health aspects.
• Assist the PCE Team Coordinator in implementing climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems and strengthening related policies.
• Undertake research on environmental health and climate change and health topics to support programme development and implementation.
• Draft, revise and develop guidelines, national strategies, and recommendations for improving climate change and environment policies and health systems.
• Monitor work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the CCE work programme and follow up on implementation.
• Conduct data analyses and disseminate information on best practices and partners' experiences in climate resilient health systems.
• Participate in capacity building activities related to environmental health and climate resilient health systems management and financing.
• Analyze and evaluate best practices related to climate sensitive disease surveillance and outbreak response; provide recommendations for strengthening surveillance and early warning systems.
• Conduct community outreach activities in Fiji on awareness raising and capacity building on climate change and environment.
• Serve as a technical resource on environmental health and climate change and health in Fiji and other Pacific Island Countries; respond to inquiries and provide technical information.
• Collaborate with regional bodies such as SPC, SPREP, and WHO WPRO ACE to strengthen technical support on climate change and health for Pacific Island Countries.
• Provide technical support to Fiji and other Pacific Island Countries to assess health care facility vulnerabilities and develop adaptation improvement plans to strengthen resilience and sustainability.

Requirements

• University degree (Bachelor's) in environmental health, public health, climate change, environmental sciences/management, environmental engineering, or other relevant fields.
• An advanced university degree (master's level or above) in environmental health, development studies, or a related field is desirable.
• A minimum of five years of work experience in programme or project planning and coordination in the areas of environmental health (e.g., water and sanitation, healthcare waste management, vector-control), and/or climate change and health, in Fiji.
• Field experience and understanding of environmental health and/or climate change and health in Pacific Island Countries other than Fiji is desirable.
• Strong technical expertise in environmental health and/or climate change and health with the ability to give technical advice and guidance, whilst taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners.
• Proven experience in implementation of multi-stakeholder development projects.
• Capacity building skills, including planning and facilitation of workshops.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team collaboration skills, with experience working with governments and NGOs.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently and proactively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations.
• Expert knowledge of English.

Skills

• Environmental Health
• Climate Change and Health Linkages
• Programme Planning
• Project Coordination
• Water and Sanitation
• Health Care Waste Management
• Vector Control
• Technical Advice
• Multi-stakeholder Project Implementation
• Capacity Building
• Workshop Facilitation
• Policy Development
• Research
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Analytical Skills
• English
• Independent Work
• Team Collaboration

Languages

English