Qualifications

Background

Climate change may be the greatest health threat in the 21st century, impacting health directly and indirectly through natural and human pathways. Healthcare facilities constitute the first and last line of defence in buffering the health impacts of climate change. Health Care facilities (HCF) themselves are vulnerable to climate change. Storms, floods, and sea level rise can directly damage facility infrastructure, water and sanitation systems (WASH), and energy provision, disrupt medicine supply chains, while persistent and intense heat and drought can compromise water availability and quality. Long-term, sustainable planning for safe WASH, electricity, and waste management at HCF must therefore consider climate change and growing external uncertainties, as doing so will strengthen the climate resilience and hazard-related safety of healthcare facilities.

The health sector also accounts for approximately 5.2% of global emissions ,  and while baseline emissions and the potential for decarbonization vary between countries and the maturity of their health systems, there is both a need and an opportunity for all countries to take action. All countries can at least implement practices and technologies that contribute simultaneously to build resilience and reduce emissions (e.g. renewable energy access, waste management), while also improving service provision and reducing costs.

WHO has produced multiple guidance documents, including WHO Guidance for Climate Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Health Care Facilities, the Checklist to Assess Vulnerabilities in Health Care Facilities in the Context of Climate Change, the Hospital Safety Index, and the Green Hospitals Toolkit which have helped countries better understand of the risks faced by their healthcare facilities and develop improvement plans. Given the strong linkages between climate change and other environmental health risks and the urgency of this topic, it has been recognised that an integrated and coherent approach that combines existing tools and guidance on these areas is required. This will simplify implementation, enhance efficiency and facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices by national health systems.

WHO submitted a proposal to the Institute of Philanthropy (IOP) and received approval for a project titled: “Safe, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable healthcare facilities” to run from 2026-2028. The project will directly benefit three countries, including Fiji, with the objective of advancing their work in establishing safe, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable healthcare facilities, through integrated health care facility assessments for resilience, safety and environmental sustainability; action planning at facility level; and priority intervention implementation. Operationalization in these three countries will serve as proof of concept and form the basis for advancing global practice.

The project has two key outcomes, namely:

1. Improved safety, climate resilience and environmental sustainability of healthcare facilities in three countries.
2. Advancement of national, regional and global knowledge and practice on safe, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable healthcare facilities.

Job Description

The SSA will provide support for the project, and will have the following responsibilities: 

1. Assist in co-ordinating the building of a knowledge base and enhancing skills of health care workers through capacity building in the area of Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Facilities, including on the use of CRESHCF and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) tools for the health sector.
2. Assist in prioritization of HCFs for detailed assessments and support a systematic approach to assessment implementation and the documenting and communication of assessment findings.
3. Support the development and implementation of climate responsive improvement plans for selected HCFs, including undertaking procurement and contract management related tasks, to enhance HCF resilience and sustainability, and prepare a sustainability plan for HCF waste management, WASH, and Energy for selected HCFs.
4. Support the integration of tools/dashboards to track progress on resilient and environmentally sustainable HCFs, consolidating assessments of healthcare facility vulnerabilities, climate risks, GHG emissions, and pollutants of concern.
5. Contribute to the preparation and implementation of annual results-based work plans and logical frameworks.
6. Support monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including assisting in the development of any monitoring and evaluation mechanism required by MoHMS, WHO, and IoP, and contribute to the design and monitoring of quantitative and qualitative data to indicate project progress.
7. Coordinate and actively collaborate with project officers and teams from aligned programmes to support joint planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting activities, ensuring cohesive delivery toward the overall project objectives.
8. Align project activities to the Ministry’s Guidelines for Climate Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Health Care Facilities (CRESHCF) as well as Fiji’s National Health Adaptation Plan.
9. Support other climate change and health-related activities as agreed between WHO and MoHMS.

Educational and experience requirements:

Education

Essential: University degree in Environmental Health, Public Health, public health or environmental engineering, health information systems, or any other related field.  
Desirable: Postgraduate qualification or Advanced degree (Master’s) in Environmental Health, Public Health, public health or environmental engineering, health information systems, or any other related field. Additional qualifications or trainings in Water, Sanitation or Hygiene (WASH), Energy (Solarization), and Construction/Retrofitting for health systems and digital/web-based systems and survey tools are plus factors.

Experience

Essential: At least five years of relevant work experience in Environmental Health or Public Health. Experience in the assessment of Health Care Facilities (HCF).
Desirable: Experience in engineering design, procurement and quality assurance of infrastructure related projects at HCF level. Experience in digital/web-based systems and survey tools. A strong understanding of climate change and health risk pathways is a plus factor.

Technical skills and knowledge

• In depth knowledge of Climate Change & Health tools for assessing Health Care facilities in the area of CRESHCF, waste management, WASH, and Energy provisions in HCF.
• Sound knowledge and skills in training and facilitation of programs, including experience and skills with training and facilitation.
• Knowledge of MoHMS AOP, HNAP, and underlying policies with its functions.
• Flexibility to travel on short notice and in remote environments.
• Team worker and excellent interpersonal relations.
• Competent in using the computer with a focus on MS Excel analysis.
• Can identify challenges and provide appropriate solutions.
• Good interpersonal and analytical thinking and writing skills
• Knowledge of WHO mandate and goals or experience in UN Organizations, international institutions, or NGOs is considered an asset.

Competencies

• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Teamwork
• Producing results
• Technical expertise
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Languages

Essential: Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required. 
Desirable: A basic understanding of iTaukei and Hindi would be beneficial.

Details of the proposed position:

• Salary for this role will start from FJD 32,999.24 to FJD 53,034.50 (equivalent to the Fiji Govt. Band G, Step 1-7), subject to qualifications and experience.
• Duration of contract: 12 months initially, with potential extension.
• This role is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by Fiji nationals recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.

• Alternatively, applicants who face technical issues accessing the portal can submit a cover letter and a detailed CV, with the subject line “2601712: SSA - Climate Change and Health Project Officer - Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Facilities” via email to DPSRecruitment@who.int, addressed to:
  The Team Coordinator
  Pacific Climate Change and Environmental Health
  World Health Organization Office of WHO Representative

  Division of Pacific Technical Support
  Suva
  Fiji

Additional Information

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test/interview may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/ diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https:// www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice. · WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates. 
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• SSAs shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. 
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