Technical Advisor – Chemical and Environmental Hazards The British High Commission

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Job Category  Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)

Job Subcategory  UK Health Security Agency

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The post holder will support the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) UKAID funded International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project in Zambia. The IHR Strengthening Project (IHR-SP) aims to improve global health security through increasing compliance with the IHR in selected countries and regions in Africa and Asia, taking an all-hazards approach. A key element of the IHR relates to chemical hazards and public health – known as “chemical events”.

Working with the UKHSA IHR Project Senior Health Advisor; the Project Chemical team of UKHSA; and the wider Project team, the post holder will play a crucial role in actioning chemical, environmental, and one health priorities. The post-holder will work closely with national and international stakeholders, such as the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) and other partners, supporting the coordination and delivery of identified outputs for IHR-SP.

The post holder will require experience in undertaking assessments of likely risks associated with chemical hazards and public health, as well as experience of preparedness, surveillance and response activities for the public health management of incidents involving chemical and environmental hazards

The post-holder will provide key in-country situational awareness for UK-based colleagues from the Chemical and Environmental, and One Health teams and pro-active and reactive day to day project delivery. Ensuring the maintenance of key stakeholder relationships and providing in-person representation at relevant meetings, workshops, or ad-hoc events.

Diplomatic skills and cultural awareness are critical, as engaging with a range of stakeholders, such as senior leadership, ministers, senior government officials and other technical, donor or development agency representatives will be critical to the role. We are seeking individuals with both technical knowledge and international relations capability, able to demonstrate both UKHSA and Civil Services Competencies and ways of working.  Key to this is the ability to influence and negotiate to manage key relationships with local and other international stakeholders.
This post offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience of working in a fast paced and innovative environment and is an ideal chance for someone looking to advance their career in Public Health project coordination. The ideal candidate must have a flexible approach to meet the needs of the service, be able to work to tight deadlines and manage multiple workstreams and priorities at the same time. This post will be based in Lusaka with some travel to other areas of Zambia if relevant. Occasional international travel (e.g. to other countries in the sub region, or to the UK) may be required.

Roles and responsibilities

Coordinate the Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards (RCE) and One Health input to bi-lateral and multi-lateral activities as appropriate at country level
Maintain key stakeholder relationships  with junior and senior members of ZNPHI staff and staff from other organisations
Provide in-person representation for relevant meetings, workshops, or ad-hoc events
Provide technical input to the design, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of activities to strengthen chemical preparedness, surveillance, response and recovery capability in Zambia, this may include, but is not limited to:
Supporting the establishment of a national chemical technical working group and relevant tasks
Supporting the embedding of an Environmental Epidemiology module into the Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP)
Supporting development of chemical laboratory capacity in Zambia
Supporting the establishment of poisons centres (if indicated)
Supporting the development, testing, and validation of chemicals management policies, plans, and SOPs
Other tasks that contribute to IHR strengthening in line with the Zambia National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and other relevant indicators including the WHO Benchmarking and State Party Self-Assessment Annual Reporting Tool
To manage small projects and aspects of larger projects in a particular defined area, and to work within a project team under the guidance of more senior staff. This includes managing own time, other relevant resources, and liaising with stakeholders and other members of staff working on the project to ensure the timely and successful completion of the work.
To be able to receive and assimilate technical and scientific information relating to chemicals.
To prepare methodology documents, project reports and papers and sections of complex reports, including incorporating material prepared by others
Maintain key in-country situational awareness and keep UK based RCE and One Health Teams informed of relevant activity and opportunities.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.  Attending internal / external training events
To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
The above is an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be expected by UKHSA. These responsibilities may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization
Essential qualifications, skills and experience  Degree qualification in a science subject or equivalent experience in a chemical, environmental or public health field
Familiarity with public health, chemical and environmental issues
Demonstrable experience in chemical related public health risk assessment
Familiarity with global aspects of chemical safety and the sound management of chemicals
Demonstrable experience of good stakeholder management and working with government departments and agencies
Ability to work across a wide range of stakeholders at senior level with strong relationship building, influencing, negotiating & interpersonal skills, including on operational issues as well as broader public health and global health security issues
Knowledge of, and a keen interest in the health sector and cultural context in Zambia
Experience of delivering presentations, training and interactive workshops
Understanding of and demonstrable experience of applying monitoring and evaluation principles to project delivery
Understanding of global health including the health challenges of low- and middle-income countries and the international health architecture.
Demonstrate commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD)
An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Excellent written and oral communication skills on complex matters, often requiring persuasion and influence.
Ability to analyse and interpret information and recommend appropriate actions.
Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change.
Excellent computer skills and proficient in MS Office applications and other software relevant to the role
A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  Qualification or equivalent experience in the field of environmental public health or related disciplines
Previous experience in similar role in public sector or with bilateral/multilateral organisations.
Understanding of UKHSA

Required behaviours  Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing