Senior Environmental Health Officer (National Position)

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 Senior Health Manager, the Senior Environmental Health (EH) Officer is responsible for implementing and monitoring environmental health related activities / WASH in Tham Hin refugee camp. The Senior EH officer is required to ensure that environmental health programs receive appropriate technical support and direction on environmental health components including water, sanitation, hygiene promotion, vector control and infrastructure, and assist Senior Health Manager 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 to EH camp based assistants in consultation with Senior Health Manager.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develop EH work plans according to the objective proposed in the proposal and revise based on context change, if necessary, by consulting with senior health manager.
• 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 Senior Health Manager 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 waste management system 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 Senior Health Manager 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.
• Serve as the focal point for all activities related to camp water supply and treatment, sanitation and vector control.
• Collaboration with IRC EH team in designing and developing program activities, sharing experience and creativity on the program implementation among the EH team.
• Oversee the implementation of EH work in camp and provide guidance through regular monitoring and assessment, refresher training and close supervision.
• Work with CBAs environmental health in-charges and supervisors to improve their supervisory skill to organize scheduling environmental health activities and monitor the team more efficiently.
• Participate occasionally in EH sub-committee meeting for strong collaboration between IRC and other stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Senior Health Manager Position directly supervises: EH camp based assistants.

Indirect Reporting: Senior Health Coordinator, Health Coordinator

Other Internal and/or external contacts: Regularly coordination with environmental health working group, and keep good relationship with Camp Committee, and relevant NGOs/CBOS

Internal: Other IRC Health Team Members, IRC Women Protection and Empowerment (WE) Team, IRC Legal Assistant Center (LAC) Team, IRC Operation Team
External: Camp committee, Community Health Committee, EH working group, other INGOs, CBOs and UNHCR

Job Requirements:

Education: Degree in Science of Environmental Health or Environmental Health Engineer or Environment Engineer, or Water Engineer or Civil engineer.

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 demeanors.

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

Working Environment:

The position will be based in Suan Pheung District, Ratchaburi, with frequent travel to Tham Hin refugee camp.

Application Deadline: 28 August 2024